Take a Girl Like You

A train brings naïve Jenny Bunn from the north of England to take up her new teaching position.

Jenny Bunn (Hayley Mills) looks through the carriage window as the train passes under a road bridge.

The train arrives in the fictional town of Hendge. The Windsor platform at Slough railway station in Buckinghamshire. Alistair Fyffe points out that the train is hauled by a former Western Region Type 3 'Hymek' Diesel Hydraulic.

The goods service ceased and the platform screens were removed long ago. (PW)

Jenny alights from the train as other passengers board. Facing eastward on Slough station with Stoke Road Bridge in the right distance.

Same view, different era. (PW)

Slough station was also seen in 'Watch It, Sailor!', 'Diamonds on Wheels', 'The Last Journey' and 'The Wildcats of St Trinian's'.

Looking towards the main building from the 'Windsor' platform. (PW)

Jenny leaves the station to find a cab. Looking out onto the junction of Mackenzie Street with Station Approach outside Slough station.

The same doorway. (PW)

The frontage of Slough railway station.

Remaining practically unchanged but now standing on what has become Brunel Way. (PW)

The cab drives Jennie through Hendge town centre. The junction of Thames Street and High Street in Staines, Surrey.

Nick Boorman took this view of the where the Johnson’s and Clarke building stood until being knocked down in the late 80s.

High Street in Staines with the Angel Hotel to the left. The "upon-Thames" suffix was added to the town's name in 2012.

The pedestrianised High Street captured by Nick.

As the cab ride continues we are told who produced the film while crossing the Thames. An additional capture provided by Alec Edge who advises that this is Staines Bridge, crossing the Thames from Staines towards Egham Hythe, with the Regal Cinema at the corner of Bridge Street and Clarence Street visible to the extreme left.

The cab carrying Jenny approaches her new lodgings. Kingston Road in Staines.

Jenny arrives outside the suburban home of Labour councillor Dick Thompson. This building on Kingston Road has been demolished and replaced . . . .

. . . as we can see from Paul Riddell's picture.

The Driver helps with Jenny's suitcases before being paid. Kingston Road, Staines-upon-Thames in Surrey with the, still trading, Tolstar Garage in the background.

Amazingly, the garage across the road is still in business. Image from Paul Riddell.

Thompson answers the door and inside the young teacher meets his wife Martha as well as Patrick Standish, the boyfriend of Anna, another lodger at the house. A low rise block of flats now occupies this site.

Paul Riddell provides this comparison shot of a very changed background.

Outside the film's Albert Road Primary School Patrick Standish (Oliver Reed) asks Jenny to dinner. Kingston Road Junior School on Kingston Road, Staines.

Paul R's modern shot shows the replacement for the school.

A Mother buttons up her child's coat near the playground gates. Looking onto Kingston Road from the Junior School.

Nick explains that "A lot has changed since filming with the school railings long gone and the building opposite, which was the a branch of the Co-op, now sporting a new facade."

The pair continue to a restaurant where they bump into Thompson and his wife as they dine with Julian Ormerod who is helping the Councillor with his election campaign. Kingston Road with the since demolished Staines Methodist Church in the background.

Taken from a similar viewpoint by Nick Boorman.

After dinner Patrick takes Jenny back to his flat above a car showroom. Looking onto Kingston Road in Staines from the roof of the, still standing, building opposite Sidney Road.

Asking builders if he could climb the stairs to their Portakabin, Nick Boorman got the closest possible comparison without trespassing.

The following day's lunchtime, Graham McClintoch (Ronald Lacey) and Patrick leave the College where they teach. Ashford Grammar School in Ashford, Surrey identified by Maggie Flannigan and confirmed by David Morris. Maggie adds that the school was demolished in 2018.

The friends get into Patrick's Morris Minor Convertible. David Morris recognised this is Ashford County Grammar School on Church Road in Ashford.

The two drive away to an expensive pub where they discover Julian. Ashford County Grammar School in Ashford, formerly in Middlesex located by David Morris and Maggie Flannigan.

On Sunday, Patrick drives Jenny, Ann and Graham to a busy, trendy pub. Looking towards The Green on Windsor Road, Wraysbury in Berkshire.

A similar view now by Paul Riddell.

Patrick peers across the packed car park as Jenny, Graham and Anna Le Page (Geraldine Sherman) stay seated. The George Inn on Windsor Road, Wraysbury, Berkshire.

The George is still in business as witnessed by this shot from Paul R.

Patrick listens to Julian as he appears from the restaurant, telling everyone that the place is full. Facing The Grange from The George Inn's car park on Windsor Road in Wraysbury.

Paul provides this up to date photo.

Julian Ormerod (Noel Harrison) introduces Wendy (Aimi MacDonald) after inviting everyone back to his place for lunch. Outside The George Inn on Windsor Road, Wraysbury. The pub was in Buckinghamshire at the time of filming.

Nick Boorman paid a visit and discovered that the current landlord has an interest in boxing and has a collection of boxing memorabilia while learning that Henry Cooper used to train here.

Wendy trots over and climbs into Patrick's car with Anna. The car park of The George Inn with the end of a modern residential terrace on The Green in the background.

Showing more of the pub, Nick Boorman took this wider view.

Jenny and Graham are driven away by Julian in his Pontiac Firebird. Facing west on Windsor Road, Wraysbury in Berkshire.

Paul Riddell captured a similar view.

Whilst Patrick struggles with his car's retractable roof, Julian approaches his home. Identified by Geoff Dodd as Windsor End, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. (RL)

53 years on, Antony Blair arrived at the location.

Julian turns off the main road to drive through the gates to his country house. The gates to Hall Barn on Windsor End, Beaconsfield as identified by Geoff Dodds. The gateway can also be seen in 1967's 'Bedazzled'. (RL)

Antony Blair captured the same scene on a winter morning.

The camera watches as the Pontiac approaches the house. Geoff Dodd has identified this as Hall Barn, Beaconsfield, to the south west of Junction 2 of the M40. The house was reduced in size around the time of filming and is now without the left hand wing shown above. (RL)

Malcolm Tinnelly returned to Hall Barn 54 years later.

Julian, Jenny and Graham get out of the American convertible. Hall Barn once again. The property also features in 'A Yank in Ermine', ‘The Walking Stick’, ‘Chariots of Fire’, 'Gosford Park' and ‘Nobody Runs Forever’ amongst several other productions. (RL)

Malcolm Tinnelly found the tree, but not the car.

The three go inside and Julian puts on music before sorting out some food. Hall Barn, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire as identified by Geoff Dodd. (RL)

The annual charity Autumn Fair was in full swing when Malcolm Tinnelly visited.

On the way to Julian's abode, Patrick takes a wrong turn.

After school one day, a Teacher (Nerys Hughes) warns Jenny about Patrick. Outside Kingston Road Junior School on Kingston Road. The new Staines Police Station now occupies the site.

A campaign van urges people to vote for Dick Thompson. Kingston Road in Staines.

Nick Boorman found that many elements from the screen capture are still in situ.

The electorate turn up to vote at Albert Road School. Kingston Road Junior School on Kingston Road. Georgina Goddard advises that, although the school was demolished and a new Police Station built on the site, the school's bell tower was saved and placed on the new building's roof.

Georgina provides this shot of the bell tower in position, which was taken from Coopers Close.

Jenny and a Lady (Penelope Keith) from the Conservative Party stand at the doorway of the Polling Station. The entrance to Kingston Road Junior School.

After behaving badly on the previous Sunday, Patrick asks Jenny to dinner again. To the right is the rear of the Salvation Army Hall located next to the school's playground.

Ashamed after being turned down, Patrick walks away. The playground of Kingston Road Junior School with Staines Methodist Church in the left background.

After a bit of persuasion at Thompson's victory party, Jenny agrees to go for a walk with Patrick. This appears to be either one of the Staines Reservoirs or the King George VI Reservoir.

The two end up holding hands as they near Patrick's flat. Kingston Road with the former Fear Brothers Ltd premises on the left.

Paul Riddell captured the still extant building.

The rear of the former Fear Brothers Ltd premises on Kingston Road, Staines.

A picture of the whole back of the premises by Paul.

Inside the flat, Patrick has no better luck in wooing Jenny than his earlier attempts. Fear Brothers Ltd was voluntarily wound up in 1962.

Paul found that steps still lead up to the first floor.

Julian drives Patrick as the two talk about the virginal Miss Bunn. Facing south-west on Sidney Road, Staines upon Thames.

The corner of Kingston Road and Sidney Road.

Patrick is puzzled as to why they are stopping at the Thompson's house. Kingston Road with Staines House at the junction of High Street and London Road in the distance.

A wider view of the area by Paul R. that puts the various modern buildings in perspective.

Dick Thompson (John Bird) waits for Julian to take him to the television studio. Kingston Road in Staines.

The cut down wall remains in Nick Boorman's shot.

The three set off to watch Thompson try to save Julian's house from airport redevelopment. Looking south-east on Kingston Road in Staines with the North Star public house and the sign for Staines railway station in the centre distance.

Nick Boorman captures a similar view.

Julian and Patrick leave Thompson making a fool of himself on screen and, after meeting Wendy in the studio's green room, head to her parents house. The Manor House in Shepperton identified by Steve Cook, which is also seen in 'Hoverbug' and 'Double Bunk',

Patrick and Wendy make their way to a yacht moored at the end of the garden. The Thames at Shepperton Manor located by Steve Cook.

Lights come on in an upper room as Patrick looks back at the house. Steve Cook found Shepperton Manor in Old Shepperton, Surrey.

Steve Platt ventured onto the water to obtain this view of the manor, adjusting the angle to prevent the tree on the left form getting in the way.

Jenny arrives back from her weekend away up north. Outside the front of Slough railway station in Berkshire.

And in daylight. (PW)

Patrick meets the young teacher at the station. Station Approach in Slough. The background has been redeveloped.

Maybe a return visit is in order. (PW)

Harry (George Woodbridge) prepares to lock up as the last customers leave his pub. Possibly a real public house but maybe part of a set.

When asked if he can cash a cheque, the publican tells Patrick that the till has already been made up.

Graham drives Thompson, Anna and Jenny to Julian's house to say farewell to the stately pile. Looking towards Kingston Road from the side entrance giving access to the rear of the former Fear Brothers Ltd. premises.

Nick Boorman found a few changes.

A very drunk Thompson is driven home. Facing south-west from opposite the Village Hall on Ashford Road in Laleham, Surrey.

In Nick Boorman's view the bus stop and school road markings have gone however, the school remains as can be seen by the railings.

The camera pans with the car. The Broadway in Laleham with Home Farm Cottages and the sign of The Feathers public house on the far side of the road.

Not much has altered in Paul Riddell's shot.

Having learnt that Jenny is alone with Julian at his house, Patrick retrieves his Morris and races to save her from seduction.

The gates begin to close at a Level Crossing. Pooley Green Level Crossing at the junction of Vicarage Road and Pooley Green Road in Egham, Surrey. The location was seen in 'Spaceways'.

Automation and roadway changes at the crossing. (PW)

Patrick waits impatiently as the first of two trains passes. Vicarage Road in Egham, with a train approaching Pooley Green Level Crossing from the direction of Egham station.

From a similar viewpoint. (PW)

Eventually arriving at the house, Patrick dashes inside to find Jenny and Julian getting dressed. Hall Barn House to the south of Beaconsfield.

Malcolm Tinnelly couldn't avoid these vehicles and infrastructure provided in connection with the annual the 'Autumn Fair'.

As Jenny walks from the house, Patrick follows her in his car. Hall Barn House near Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire which was also seen in 'The Walking Stick', 'Chariots of Fire', 'Anoop and the Elephant' and 'Nobody Runs Forever'.

The view on a sunny day by Malcolm Tinnelly.