Leather Boys, The

Outside her school, Reggie Wilcox (Colin Campbell) waits for his girlfriend Dot. In the background stands St. Luke's Girl's School on Elm Road in Kingston upon Thames, formerly in Surrey, as identified by Paul Rho.

Peter Bywaters found all that remains is a brick pillar which has a coping stone with National Schools carved on it, a reminder of a religious educational system founded in 1811 by the National Society to educate the poor.

Dot (Rita Tushingham) clings to Reggie as the pair ride away. Elm Road Playground, now restyled as Elm Road Open Space, lies to the right of Elm Road in Kingston.

Peter Bywaters and Paul Rho both confirm the location adding that St Luke's primary school on Elm Road has since been replaced.

The young lovers arrive outside Reggie's home. Michael Garfield identifies this as Harbut Road in Wandsworth SW11.

Harbut Road just off Plough Road. SJ.

An update trying to avoid the parked cars. SJ

Harbut Road in Wandsworth located by Michael Garfield.

And again. SJ.

Looking west. SJ

Reggie and Dot go inside the house where Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox prepare for their tea. Detail above the door and windows of the Harbut Road property.

Laurence Caruana provides this view showing that the ornate detail at number 3 still exists.

The pair head to house that Dot shares with her mother. The west side of the railway viaduct on Roydon Street in SW8.

The road and its buildings have long since disappeared with the now walled off archway hardly visible through the modern day trees, parked cars and general clutter. (PW)

A train passes over the viaduct as the bike is brought to a stand. George Smith recognised this as Roydon Street and Southolm Street which were demolished in the latter part of the 1960s and this is confirmed by Michael Garfield. The location features in 'All Neat in Black Stockings' and 'Up the Junction'.

George and Michael are on the ball. This is where Roydon Street ran to the left and Southolme Street to the right, all gone apart from the arches. Southolm Street also lost its 'e' but still exists beyond the arches. SJ.

Dot and Reggie get married. The camera begins a tilt shot down Bethel United Church on Kohat Road SW19. Location identified by Mark Wilsmore from the Ace Café.

50 years of growth to obscure the view. SJ

Friends and family wait outside the church. St. Peter's church on Kohat Road in SW19.

The location now by Brian Smith.

Providing an up to date view, Peter Bywaters tells us that the church became Bethel United Church in 1982.

Well wishers look on as the Photographer readies his camera. Kohat Road in Wimbledon.

Same houses opposite. SJ

The happy couple leave the church. The entrance to Bethel United Church on Kohat Road.

No longer a main entrance as a fence prevents road access. SJ

Dot's Mother spots the bus approaching that will take everyone to the reception. Kohat Road, Wimbledon.

The view east along Kohat Road. SJ

With the family aboard the bus, biker friends follow. Kohat Road looking towards Haydons Road in SW19.

This is the spot captured by Brian Smith.

Peter Bywaters discovered that the buildings on the right have had some loft extensions added and explains that the bus stop from the screen capture was a prop as Kohat Road has never seen a bus service.

Reggie's Uncle buys 43 single tickets from the Conductress. Looking south on Haydons Road, Wimbledon with Queen's Road to the right identified by Brian Smith. The junction can also be seen in 'Moment of Decision'.

And Brian also provides this comparison.

Peter Bywaters found that the Bendon Laundry, to the left of the screen capture and previous comparison, has now been replaced with flats.

Leaving their guests at the reception, Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox head to Bognor Regis for their honeymoon. The junction of Upper Felpham Way and Upper Bognor Road.

The Skyline Pavilion, the large white tensile fabric canopy, was added to Butlin's during the 1998/99 closed season. SD

Reggie tells Dot that they should hurry up and get to their chalet. The then four year old Butlin's Bognor holiday camp in Bognor Regis, Sussex.

The York Dining Hall was demolished in 2003. In October 2024 Playxperience, an indoor activity centre, opened on the site. Sian Hancock provides this up-to-date comparison. (SD)

Dot turns to her new husband as she touches up her make-up. Butlin's holiday camp on Upper Bognor Road, Bognor Regis.

The East Camp Chalets, which had been renamed Starfish Quay, were demolished in 2017 and replaced by the Splash swimming pool which opened in 2019. SD

The newly weds are escorted to their chalet. Butlin's Bognor as highlighted during the film's titles. The location also appears in 'The Beauty Jungle'.

This was at the east side of the Gaiety Theatre which is now the Services and Amenities area. The west side of the building is now part of the Skyline Pavilion. The Reception building in the background was demolished in 2008. To the right was the Amusement Park which is now Butlins Fairground. SD

Dot sees games and activities that she wants to take part in whereas Reggie only has one thing on his mind. More of Butlin's Bognor in Sussex.

This was between the West Camp Chalets on the left and the Kent Dining Hall on the right. Seven out of the eleven rows of chalets on the high number side were demolished to make way for the Wave Hotel which opened in 2012. The Kent Dining Hall is now the The Deck and Coral Beach restaurants. SD

Dot is thoroughly bored after spending three days in the chalet and wants to have some fun. The West Camp Chalets, number A107. (SD)

The chalets were refurbished during the 1986/87 rebuild and again in 1998/99 when they were renamed Oyster Bay. Chalets A7 and A107 have become one of the Angelfish Park Deluxe Suites, so A107 is now the bedroom of Suite 7. Reggie would be very happy with that. SD

After changing her hair colour whilst on honeymoon, Dot visits her local hairdresser. 294 Haydon's Road in London SW19 identified by Mark Wilsmore, owner of the Ace Café.

Revisiting the parade, Peter Bywaters found a dramatic change of use from hairdresser's to Caribbean Kitchen.

Dot leaves the salon. Haydon's Road in Wimbledon located by Mark Wilsmore.

Peter Bywaters found security shutters in place, consigning window shopping to a thing of the past.

The young woman makes her way along the street. Outside Park Motor Services with its street side petrol pumps at 290 Haydon's Road in London SW19 identified by Mark Wilsmore, owner of the Ace Café.

The same location by Brian Smith.

The premises have since become an independent coffee shop as Peter Bywaters' comparison shows.

Dot nips into and out of doorways as she does her shopping. The parade of shops on Haydon's Road in Wimbledon SW19. Peter Bywaters tells us that this is what was once Mac's sweetshop, very popular with kids in the late 1960s as he would sell single cigarettes for three old pence, known locally as a "thrupenny fag".

Next to the former Park Auto Services. SJ

At a newsagent, a magazine is purchased. 284 Haydon's Road with the corner of Cromwell Road to the left. Peter Bywaters adds that the white building in the left background was a coal merchants.

Another from Brian Smith.

The shutters have now gained some graffiti which is captured by Peter B.

Children ask for "A penny for the guy". Haydon's Road located by Mark Wilsmore. The bridge carries the road over the Wimbledon to Tooting railway line at Haydon's Road station.

Now. SJ

Dot browses through her magazine before crossing the road. Haydon's Road at the junction of Kohat Road and Cromwell Road with St. Peter's Church, now the Apostolic Church, in the background.

The same church as seen earlier. SJ

Engrossed in her magazine, Dot heads to a grocery shop to buy a tin of beans before catching the bus home. Haydon's Road in Wimbledon, identified by Mark.

Brian Smith provides this comparison.

New additions in Peter Bywaters' view are pedestrian traffic lights, a cycle lane over the railway bridge and litter.

Dot gets off the bus and crosses the road to the building where she and Reggie have a one room flat. St. John's Hill SW11 says Michael Garfield.

Not entirely convinced by this but certainly a possibility. In fact, with thanks to Peter Bywaters, this would have been better off as the comparison for capture67, as it shows nos. 137-141 but retained to show how easily mistakes can be made. See the second tab for Peter's improvement. SJ.

As Dot gets off the bus, she is actually in front of number 129 (the shop selling Typhoo is number 133. This was taken by Peter B. (SJ)

Inside the flat, Reggie is waiting for his tea. St. John's Hill, Wandsworth. Michael Garfield.

And this, with no. 98 on the right, was opposite which is close as well. Can anyone do better? SJ.

Yes Peter can do better! in his own words, "As Dot crosses the road, she enters house number 96. In order to widen the road, the frontage of the houses in the terrace have been reduced. In 1963 in order to gain access to the basement flat for number 96, for example, you would pass through the brick pillars and immediately turn left and down the stairs. Today access to the basement flat stairs is directly from the pavement. So, this pavement alteration makes the location appear slightly different from 1963. One thing that was confusing is that the house next door (number 98) in capture 30 does not have the tall pillars at the top of the stairs by the front door, today it has." (SJ)

As the marriage turns sour, Reggie spends time with his mate Les (James Chase) at the Ace Café when Pete (Dudley Sutton) approaches him. Outside the Ace Café on the North Circular Road in Stonebridge NW10.

This is the new Ace Café, which was seen in 'Gun of the Black Sun'.

Pete challenges Reggie to a race and the two set off from the café. The North Circular Road looking towards the West Coast Main Line railway bridge.

The Ace Café forecourt now. The North Circular Road has been rerouted some 100 metres to the right.

The pair speed through North London. Ian Stevens, who claims to have been conceived at the Ace Café, is a member of the "59" Club and his dad John, who may have been in the original film, was one of the tearaways who would put on a 45 rpm record, do at least a ton to a local roundabout and be back before the record ended.

The race continues with Pete leading on his Norton Dominator. This is looking to the north-east on the A406 North Circular Road between the Grand Union Canal and Piccadilly Line bridges.

Antony Blair visited the same section of road and found a couple of original buildings visible in the middle background.

This and the next capture are taken from a poorer copy of the film as the footage is missing from some prints. A little further along the westbound carriageway of the North Circular Road with the now demolished Abbey Terrace to the left and Waverley Gardens on the right.

Taken by Antony, facing northeast just before the rail bridge.

Passing beneath the A406s since reconstructed bridge that takes the Piccadilly Line between Park Royal and Alperton stations in NW10.

Formerly four lanes, Antony's shot shows that the A406 has since been widened to six lanes.

Pete keeps the lead over Reg's Triumph Speed Twin as the two take an easy bend. Located by Antony Blair, this is looking north on the A406 North Circular Road at Neasden NW10 as it leaves the bridge over the railway running between Neasden and Wembley Park stations.

With the same bridge in the distance, Antony provides this capture of the previously unidentified location. Image copyright Google.

More footage missing from some prints of the film, this is the A40 Western Avenue as it passes through Perivale, Ealing with properties on Welland Gardens trailing into the distance.

Western Avenue with the background railway bridge carrying the Greenford Branch Line between Ealing and Greenford.

There's Antony Blair's shadow as he takes this comparison looking west on the A40.

Another corner. Facing the south-west on North Circular Road as it runs between Dryfield Close and Wright Place in NW10.

Antony Blair captured the same location on a wet January morning.

The camera moves with the riders as they streak past. North Circular Road with the junction of Normans Mead on the far side of the road.

The footbridge to the left is an addition in Antony's comparison.

Pete eventually pulls over. Facing north-east on the North Circular Road under railway bridges carrying lines through Wembley Yard with the arched bridge taking the Bakerloo and 'DC' Lines between Stonebridge Park and Harlesden. The location is seen from the opposite direction in 'Penny and the Pownall Case'.

Under the bridges on the old A406 at Stonebridge Park taken by Antony.

Reggie slows as he approaches his opponent. Beyond the bridges is Stonebridge Park station.

Carrying today's advertisements, Antony notes that the modern hoardings are at different angles.

Looking the other way, the background bridge carries goods lines between Brent Sidings and Wembley Yard.

Antony Blair faced the same bridge.

Pete asks his new pal to go for a drink with him. North Circular Road in NW10, just 200 yards from the Ace Café.

Sadly, the 'ghost' FERODO advert on the bridge has outlasted the two actors. Picture by Antony.

Reggie is told that his grandfather has passed away and he goes to visit his Gran.

That evening, Reggie and Dot arrive late at the Ace Café. Ace Corner on the North Circular Road in London NW10.

The modern version of the Ace Café.

At the funeral Gran (Gladys Henson) is supported by Dot, Reggie and his Mother (Avice Landone) and Father (Lockwood West). Steve Legg advises "I remember them filming this at Kingston Cemetery on Bonner Hill Road, Kingston and they had a wake in the nearby Grove Tavern public house."

Peter Bywaters took this view of the cemetery today with the crematorium visible through the archway.

Reggie and Pete take a trip to the seaside. This is Bognor Regis in Sussex according to Michael Garfield.

Bognor Regis Esplanade, looking towards what remains of the pier. SD

The two bikers ride along the almost deserted seafront. Stephen Dean advises that the Theatre Royal stands on the extreme right.

The Theatre Royal was demolished in 1975 to be replaced by the Regis Centre in 1980. SD

Bognor Regis advises Michael Garfield.

Bognor Regis Esplanade, with the Regis Centre on the left. SD

The two boys follow two girls into an amusement arcade. Bognor Regis Esplanade between York Road and Lennox Street identified by SD. The location was also seen in 'The Punch and Judy Man'.

The amusement arcade and surrounding buildings were demolished in the 1970s to be replaced by Mountbatten Court. SD

Pete and Reggie run across the beach with the girls. Bognor Regis beach and pier, the full length of which appears in 'Summer Holiday' and 'The Punch And Judy Man'.

Since 1964 the pier has lost 650ft from its original length of 1000ft. SD

As a weak November sun starts to shine, the two young women look for Pete and Reggie. The Esplanade, Bognor Regis was also seen in 'Wish You Were Here'.

Bognor Regis Esplanade on a much sunnier November day. SD

While Reggie spends time with Pete, Dot visits her Mother. Roydon Street in SW8 identified by Michael Garfield.

Just the bridge and, beyond it, houses on Southolm Street survive. SJ.

Dot glances at Reggie as he arrives at the café. Dating from 1949, the Ace Café stood at the corner of the North Circular Road and Heather Park Drive, this end of which has become part of Beresford Avenue.

Mark Wilsmor, owner of the Ace Café, stands outside his establishment.

Reggie and Pete prepare for an endurance race to Scotland. The Lex Garage next to the Ace Café has long since been demolished.

Antony Blair found a rather messy scene at the entrance to the Ace Cafe car park.

Riders prepare to run to their machines.

The Ace Café closed in 1969 but was reopened in 1997.

The bikers set of from the Ace Café. Looking south-west along the North Circular Road.

The Ace Café taken from the near to the railway bridge.

Reg rides his Triumph Bonneville alone as Dot pairs up with Brian on the road north. In reality they are heading south on the A592 near to Watermillock, Cumbria, and are approaching Beauthorn Cottage on the western shore of Ullswater Lake. (SD)

A misty Edinburgh greets the racers. Looking down on Johnston Terrace from the castle walls.

Dull but not misty today. SD

The camera pans with the bikers along Johnston Terrace.

No bikers came past. SD

Emerging from Castlehill, the first bike reaches the Esplanade at Edinburgh Castle in Lothian, Scotland.

Now with the ticket office which was under construction during my visit in 2016. SD

The machines are ridden towards the Gatehouse of castle. Esplanade in Edinburgh.

Visitors to Edinburgh Castle were not disturbed by bikers today. SD

On the way back, the atmosphere lightens between Dot and Reggie. Michael Garfield identifies this as the Devil's Punch Bowl Café at Hindhead, Surrey. (RL)

Trees have flourished in the background of David O’Donoghue's comparison.

Hoping to rekindle their relationship, Reggie approaches the flat that he shared with Dot. Looking along St. John's Hill in SW11 with the junction of Spencer Road to the left of centre.

Peter Bywaters discovered that the buildings remain although the road has been widened at the expense of the pavement and frontages of the houses to the right of frame. Also we have trees.

Reggie comes to a stand outside the building but when he enters the flat, he finds Dot in bed with Brian. St. John's Hill in Battersea.

This match is easier to line up from the right. Sent in by John Harwood who notes the appearance of trees in the intervening years. Pity about the white van! (SJ)

At work, Pete looks round as he hears a motorcycle approach. Paul Flewers recognised that this is facing northward from the refuse heaps adjacent to the sewage works off Dunsford Road SW19 on the east side of the railway running south between Earlsfield and Wimbledon with Dunsford Road Recreation Ground behind the passing train.

Providing this approximation of the scene now, Peter Bywaters explains that there cannot be a defined comparison for this and the following view as the area has changed so much.

Looking for his friend, Reggie crosses the reclamation site on his bike. Looking south over the refuse heaps towards Dunsford Road in Wimbledon identified by Paul Flewers. In the distance stand chimneys belonging to Wimbledon electricity works and on the extreme right can be seen the roof of the railway engine cleaning shed. Warehouses off Weir Road now occupy the site.

Using various maps and aerial views whilst researching the place to stand, Peter Bywaters took this shot facing in the same direction from the site of the refuse tip.

Reggie meets up with Pete and the two discuss leaving for America. This is the entranceway to the Post Office that once stood on Tidal Basin Road, London E16.

A detail showing the wall and part of the Tidal Basin Tavern entrance, seen to the left of the "then": taken in 2007. SJ

Pete goes off to arrange passage for the two by working on a ship while Reggie waits in a bar. Tidal Basin Road in East London identified by Mark Wilsmore, Manager of the Ace Café.

The derelict pub before demolition.

Discovering that the pub is a gay bar and that his friend is homosexual, Reggie leaves followed by Pete. Tidal Basin Road off Silvertown Way.

A composite of two shots taken by George Manning.

Pete and Reggie walk in silence. Looking towards Royal Victoria Dock from Tidal Basin Road.

Fog horns sound in the distance as Reggie slows to a stop. Tidal Basin Road in Canning Town.

Taken by George Manning before redevelopment.

Still silent, Reggie looks back to see Pete smile at him. Facing Silvertown Way from Tidal Basin Road. The area was also seen in 'The Monster of Highgate Ponds'.

Pete watches Reggie walk away. Looking east on Tidal Basin Road in E16.

This picture of the changing location is another from George.

Silvertown Way in London E16.