Ghost Camera, The

Date: 1933
Director: Bernard Vorhaus
Production Company: Real Art Productions

Stars: John Mills, Ida Lupino
Location(s): Dorset, Middlesex

Storyline:

When a photograph is taken at the scene of a murder, the camera is tossed out of a castle window to destroy the evidence and lands in the back of a passing car belonging to chemist John Gray who becomes amateur sleuth after developing the film and goes in search of the woman captured by the photograph. When the camera is stolen from his laboratory, Gray’s suspicions are further aroused.

Additional Information:

“Many of the shots between minutes 21-26 were filmed just outside Windsor & Eton Riverside Station . . . the road runs alongside the railway there . . . I recognised it immediately because I used to play there as a boy. At 21.21 you can clearly see Windsor Castle in the background. When the train passes the level crossing it is very close to entering the station.” Colin Lewis

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Can you help:

If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.

We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.

Capture 1
'Now' required

Richard Marum provides the first of three additional screen captures to support Colin Lewis's information contained in the Header Section of this film. This is the Down side north of Windsor & Eton station on Station Approach with an Up train to Waterloo in the right background confirmed by Colin Watts.

Capture 2
11 Aug 2020

The second additional capture from Richard which Colin Watts explains features a Southern Railway 3-Car Motor Unit operating a Down service towards Windsor & Eton Riverside. John Doel and Chris G agree on the identification of the Windsor Line and Colin adds that head code 'H' included the Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside line (direct or via the Hounslow Loop).

Richard's supporting comparative shot shows the Windsor & Eton Riverside train approaching the point where Henry Kendall realises the photo was taken from the train. (RL)

Capture 3
11 Aug 2020

The third screen capture from Richard shows Henry Kendall (with Ida Lupino in the back ground) identifying the location of one of the photos. Approaching Windsor & Eton Riverside terminus, on the South Western Division, close to Romney Lock located by Colin Lewis.

Richard found that this was filmed further up the cul-de-sac adjacent to the lock and boat yard, however, the location of the “Now” shot requires access to the railway so this is the best and nearest to the location he could get. Richard suspects that Henry was standing near to the signal looking down the line towards the level crossing, the building in the background is hidden behind the trees in the “then shot” and the chimney shown in the “then” shot is on the lock cottage across the lock cutting unfortunately shrouded by trees. (RL)

Capture 4
12 Sep 2010

Is this Corfe Castle?

Yes, it certainly is!

Capture 5
11 Aug 2020

A street, it says 'Thorntons' over the door, part of a pan. Richard suspects that this filming was done in Bridle Lane/Crown Yard, Crown Road, St. Margarets, Twickenham, which is very close to the Studio's. Whilst there is no firm evidence yet found there is every reason to believe that he is correct. (RL)

87 years on and this comparative shot from Richard certainly looks the part. (RL)

Capture 6
11 Aug 2020

Panning in Bridle Lane/Crown Yard, Crown Road, St. Margarets, Twickenham. (RL)

Richard follows the pan. (RL)

Capture 7
11 Aug 2020

Panning in Bridle Lane/Crown Yard, Crown Road, St. Margarets, Twickenham. (RL)

Capture 8
11 Aug 2020

Further panning in Bridle Lane/Crown Yard, Crown Road, St. Margarets, Twickenham. (RL)

Richard finds that the same shot covers both captures. (RL)

Capture 9
11 Aug 2020

Panned, nice old petrol pump, and a longer view of Bridle Lane/Crown Yard, Crown Road, St. Margarets, Twickenham. (RL)

Richard finds that development has occurred. (RL)

Capture 10
12 Sep 2010

Corfe Castle again, perhaps?

Not the right angle but I'm too mean to pay the entry fee: the wall and windows prove Corfe Castle. SJ.

Capture 11
12 Mar 2016

Corfe Castle again.

The right angle. My National Trust membership got me in. SD

Capture 12
'Now' required

A crowd scene, again part of a pan.

Capture 13
11 Jan 2017

The Town Square

The wall of Twickenham Film Studios, The Barons, Twickenham. The two windows can also be seen in "Dilemma". (RL)

Capture 14
11 Jan 2017

The Town Square

The Barons, Twickenham and the wall of the film studios. (RL)

Capture 15
'Now' required

Back to the crowd

Capture 16
11 Jan 2017

It says Ringwood at the back??a clue!... Taken up by Chris Goddard who says, "This is what is now the St Margaret's pub, just round the corner from Twickenham Film Studios. Ringwoods' head office was in Hammersmith, but apparently brewed at the Griffin Brewery. The 1923 London phone book lists several of their properties including the "St Margaret's Hotel"."

The St Margarets Pub indeed, on the corner of St Margarets Rd and Crown Road, Twickenham. (RL)

Capture 17
11 Jan 2017

The Town Square again, with a double decker bus. Bus sleuths, info please . . . looks like a London NS type says John Doel.

St. Margarets Road, Twickenham again and less crowded. (RL)

Capture 18
11 Jan 2017

The Square again. St. Margaret's Road, which is seen in 'Strongroom', 'Double Bunk' and 'Emergency'.

St. Margaret's Road again with just me and my camera. (RL)