Lucky Jim

As the film starts we see a panning shot of the town where 'Lucky' Jim Dixon works at the University. This is Watford in Hertfordshire and Grant Wray advises that "This appears to have been shot from the top of the old Power House at Bushey station. The upper-half of the building was demolished in the 1990s and the only recognisable feature left of this view is the railway itself!"

A Redbrick University in Britain's New Elizabethan age. Here are moulded the intellectual Drakes and Raleighs of tomorrow. Fearless, Independent . . . . . and State supported! This is The Royal Masonic School, Bushey, Hertfordshire.

The former Masonic School and American University in Bushey captured by Matthew Wheeler who adds that the building has now been converted into swanky apartments and was also used as Kelsey Grammar School in the television comedy 'Little Britain'.

The quad of The Royal Masonic School in Bushey. The location is also featured in 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade', 'Monty Python's The Meaning of Life', 'Children of Men' and 'It's Great to be Young.'

More of The Royal Masonic School in Bushey, Hertfordshire.

Another view of the school is shown as the titles continue. The Royal Masonic School, Bushey.

Jim Dixon (Ian Carmichael) runs through the cloister. The Royal Masonic School.

Jim runs across the quad. The Royal Masonic School, Bushey, Hertfordshire.

Professor Welch gives Jim a lift home. Unidentified location.

Jim runs out of the Town Hall after attending a Ball in honour of the Chancellor. Grant Wray identifies this as the entrance to Hendon Town Hall on The Burroughs, London NW4.

And Denis Hoare proves Grant's identification. (RL)

An establishing shot as Jim visits the Central Hotel. This is the junction of Friar Street and Blagrave Street in Reading, Berkshire.

In Andrew Price's street level comparison, people are beginning to gather outside Reading Town Hall for the 2019 graduation day of the University College of Estate Management!

Jim rushes out of the Central Hotel and scans the street outside. Broad Street in Reading in what is likely to be a second unit shot.

Andrew explains that Broad Street was fully pedestrianised in 1995 and the buses now serve adjacent streets.

Another shot of Broad Street with trolleybuses everywhere. Reading, Berkshire.

Reading's last trolleybus ran in 1968, but Andrew Price informs us that a close association between trolleybuses and the town remains as the British Trolleybus Society has its origins in Reading.

Bertrand Welch (Terry-Thomas), Mrs Welch (Jean Anderson), Professor Welch (Hugh Griffith) and Margaret Peel (Maureen Connell) watch as Jim takes the family car. Unidentified location.

With the end of the film in sight, a chase begins with Bertrand Welch (Terry-Thomas) and Professor Welch (Hugh Griffith) pursuing Jim Dixon. Unknown location.

Jim Dixon drives away, having trouble with the choke in the 'borrowed' car, Unidentified location.

A near miss at a crossroads. Unknown location.

The Policeman takes details as Bertrand and Professor Welch approach.

Bertrand and Professor Welch negotiate a ford. Alan Field advises that the ford was in Bury Lane, Rickmansworth, but it's now been covered over. It also appears in the opening scenes of 'The Life And Death of Colonel Blimp', although seen from the opposite direction.

Information and now shot by Alan Field.

The car suffers a flat tyre and loses it's registration plate as Jim continues his flight. While searching for his Great Aunt's house, Gary Lane found Pound Lane in Shenley, Hertfordshire.

Jim urges the car onward. Gary Lane found Rectory Lane opposite Pound Lane in Shenley.

Christine Callaghan (Sharon Acker) waits at the station as Jim approaches. Mike Hitchen identifies this as Cowley Station in Middlesex which closed in 1964. Huxley Close now occupies the station site. A good comparative view can be seen on www.disused-stations.org.uk (RL)

Antony Blair provides this view looking north on Huxley Close.

Jim pulls into the station driveway. Bushey railway station looking towards Eastbury Road, Watford, Hertfordshire.

It's not possible to recreate the shot now as a high fence has been erected on the platform, but this is the view from street level. (PW)

Jim Dixon (Ian Carmichael) is helped aboard the train as it departs. Mike Hitchen identifies this as Cowley station which was the intermediate station on the line running between West Drayton and Uxbridge Vine Street.

The same location taken by Antony Blair.

Jim and Christine look down from the train as it pulls out of the station. Bushey railway station off Eastbury Road, Watford.

Not the best comparison, due to the fencing on the station platform, but this is the same place now from street level with added buildings and cars. (PW)