Half a Sixpence

Establishing shot of the village where Arthur Kipps and Ann grew up. Aylesford in Kent.

From ground level. SJ

The bridge carries Station Road over the River Medway in Aylesford.

Taken from a private house but this is close. SJ

Young Ann (Deborah Permentor) with St Peter & St Paul's church in the background. Aylesford.

Now. SJ

Orphan Arthur Kipps (Jeffrey Chandler) is told that he is to leave the village and be employed as a drapers assistant. Aylesford, Kent.

Now. SJ

The journey to Folkestone and apprenticeship. This is the ford over Watendlath Beck as it flows from Watendlath Tarn at Watendlath in Borrowdale, Cumberland identified by Jeanette Blackburn.

Across the cliff tops. Tonyk advises that this is Cuckmere Haven in East Sussex, overlooking the Seven Sisters. The location features in 'Mr. Holmes', 'On the Double', 'Atonement' and 'Corruption'.

Now. SD

Years have passed since Kipps began his apprenticeship. Shalford (Hilton Edwards) approaches his drapery business. The Pantiles in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

More years have passed and very little has changed. (RL)

Shalford fawns to Hubert (James Villiers) and Mrs. Washington (Pamela Brown). The Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Yes, there has been first floor "infill" building....tastefully done, as one would expect here. See http://www.theweald.org/M13.asp?PicIdto=9902033 for a 1962 comparison. (RL)

Mrs. Washington persuades Shalford to send pupils to her woodworking class. The Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Wells in Kent.

The gap no longer exists. (RL)

Hubert and Mrs. Washington depart. The Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

No carriages and costumes today. (RL)

The local theatre. Richmond Theatre, The Green, Richmond which also features in 'The Krays', 'Curtain Up', 'Dance Little Lady' and 'The Naked Truth'.

A now shot in daylight from Richard Lovejoy.

The apprentices employed by Shalford enjoy a night out.

Richmond Theatre, The Green in Richmond by Richard Lovejoy who wishes he lived nearer as they have some great shows.

Shalford catches Arthur Kipps (Tommy Steele) misbehaving. Outside Richmond Theatre, Richmond.

Somehow both RL & SJ missed this one on our visits but John Harwood fills the gap. (SJ)

Shalford's drapery shop. The Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Wells.

A few changes. (RL)

Ann arrives in town to find Kipps after many years of corresponding. Grand Parade, Eastbourne, Sussex.

The best that can be shot until the bandstand is re-opened Easter 2014. (RL)

A repeat of capture 15.

Viewed from the colonnade seating area of Eastbourne Bandstand. In July 2014 a fire destroyed the Eastbourne Pier amusement arcade. (SD)

Ann (Julia Foster) finds and identifies all of Kipps' fellow workers from the descriptions in his letters. Eastbourne, Sussex with the Chatsworth Hotel in the right background.

And busses still stop there. (RL)

Kipps arrives on the beach to meet Ann. Eastbourne, Sussex.

I am sure it will be busier later in the year. (RL)

Ann's not happy with Kipps . . . . time for a song. Eastbourne, Sussex with Queens Hotel behind Ann.

No one volunteers to sing today.(RL)

Dancing and singing along the beach with Eastbourne Pier as the backdrop. Eastbourne, Sussex.

No such jollity today, maybe I killed the fun of it! (RL)

Male voices provided by Sid (Christopher Sandford) and Buggins (Leslie Meadows).

Sovereign House in the background, Clive Court has been built to the right but the brick building on the edge of the still shot remains. (RL)

Girls turn next . . . Victoria (Elaine Taylor) and Flo (Julia Sutton) - I think!!

Sovereign House as seen in the previous capture, but sloping the other way. (RL)

Kipps inherits a fortune, buys a half share in a play, resigns from Shalford's and has Hubert make investments for him . . . and then goes off to see the world. Looking north on Church Street, Windsor, Berkshire, a similar view appearing in 'The Stranger Left No Card'. (SR)

Kipps returns after seeing the world and visits his former colleagues at Shalfords shop. The Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

Just try driving a car there today! (RL)

The lads run out of the shop to see Kipps' new motor car. The Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Wells.

No such excitement when I was there! (RL)

Kipps takes Helen (Penelope Horner) out on the river. Unidentified location.

The day of the regatta. Andy Cook identifies this as the Oxford University Boathouse that was burnt down in 1999.

The boat race begins at Temple Island in the River Thames near Remenham. To the right, Malcolm Tinnelly points out Fawley Temple on Temple Island, which is an eyot, about a mile and a half downstream of Henley-on-Thames and adds "At this point the Thames acts as the county border between Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, but the island is aligned to Berkshire."

The view today, captured by Malcolm.

The crowds cheer the teams on. Henley Bridge, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire with St Mary's church extreme left. The bridge is also seen in 'Diamonds on Wheels', 'The Killing of Sister George' and 1956's 'Three Men in a Boat'.

Restricted access led to this off angle shot. SJ

Hubert accompanies Kipps and Helen to dinner at Lady Bottings house. The Grand Bridge near Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire.

Now. (RL)

The couple arrive at Lady Botting's stately home where their engagement is to be announced. Blenheim Palace, Woodstock in Oxfordshire which also features in 'The Legend of Hell House', ‘Diamonds for Breakfast’, ‘The Avengers’, ‘Barry Lyndon’, ‘Saraband For Dead Lovers’, ‘Percy's Progress’ and ‘Spectre’.

Opening hours are restricted, so it has to be a daytime shot from ground level and with the gates shut! (RL)

Kipps realises that he loves Ann not Helen and arrangements are made for the wedding. All Saints Church, Ockham Road North, Ockham in Surrey.

The church tower now by Steve Randall.

A tilt shot from the previous capture as childhood sweethearts Kipps and Ann are married. All Saints Church, Ockham near East Horsley, Surrey.

Steve Randall took this clearer view of the church.

The newly wedded Kipps' residence. Oakley Court in Berkshire which is also seen in 'The Mutation', 'And Now The Screaming Starts', 'Room to Let', 'The Man in Black' and 'What the Butler Saw' amongst many other productions.

You can hold your wedding reception there now.(RL)

Ann is unhappy with living in a large house and yearns for a simple life. Oakley Court, Water Oakley near Windsor in Berkshire.

Maybe Ann would be happy with a weekend break there. (RL)

Kipps arrives in town to find that Hubert has disappeared with the money that he was supposed to be investing. The Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

Everything works out right in the end as Harry Chitterlow (Cyril Ritchard) arrives to tell Kipps that the play that he bought a half share in is a roaring success. Studio set included for sake of completeness.