Mantrap

Date: 1953
Director: Terence Fisher
Production Company: Hammer Film Productions

Stars: Paul Henreid, Lois Maxwell, Kieron Moore, Hugh Sinclair
Location(s): London

Region(s):

Storyline:

A man escapes after being found guilty of murder and his estranged wife believes that he’s coming after her.

Additional Information:

Screen captures uploaded by Phil Wilkinson

Also known as ‘Man in Hiding’ (US title)

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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.

Thelma Speight (Lois Maxwell) crosses the road as she walks to the offices of Venus magazine.

Peter took this shot from Duke of Wellington Place, south of the Duke of Wellington Statue at the west end of Constitution Hill SW1 adding that "The road and zebra crossing have been redesigned since the 50s".

The beauty editor purchases a newspaper.

Ray Glenister has provided convincing evidence to support the fact that the location was the north side of Green Park on Piccadilly opposite Down Street. The access point and path no longer exist. Whilst the current 'Improvement Works' are annoying the view would have been even less supportive with the hedge in place. (RL)

After learning of Mervyn Speight's escape from prison whilst serving time for murdering Joanna Martin, Hugo Bishop (Paul Henreid) leaves a note under the door of Thelma's apartment.

Looking down Gloucester Terrace, London W2 from the junction with Lancaster Terrace. (RL)

Thelma arrives home as Hugo gets into his car after calling his fiancée. The entrance to Maitland Court, Gloucester Terrace, London W2 which was also seen in 'Song of Paris', 'Three Stops to Murder', 'Whispering Smith Hits London', 'Paul Temple Returns', 'Hammer the Toff', 'Song of Paris', 'The Italian Job', 'The Saint’s Return', 'Operation Diplomat' and 'Flannelfoot'.

Now.

Hugo drives away as Thelma finds the note. Gloucester Terrace, London W2.

The subsequent re-building in is now clear to see. (RL)

Thelma peers through her apartment window, fearing that her husband may be looking for her. The remainder of the original terrace can also be seen in 'Whispering Smith'.

Difficult to know the exact spot but the angle and what is now a much larger BT manhole suggests it is not far off. The wall is much the same all along anyway! (RL)

  • 'Now' required

A police car drives past as Hugo speaks with Speight who is hiding on a bombsite near to St. Paul's Cathedral.

When Thelma calls him, Hugo drives to her apartment.

Hugo entered Gloucester Terrace from Lancaster Terrace, London W2. The gardens have grown and the background has been developed. (RL)

The camera follows Hugo's car.

He would have to drive over chains today. (RL)

Hugo draws up outside the apartment block seen earlier. Also seen in 'Whispering Smith', the houses behind had been demolished in the intervening 12 months.

Maitland Court, Gloucester Terrace, London W2. (RL)

Blomfield Road, London W9 as seen from Westbourne Terrace Road bridge Circa 1953

The police 'throw a net' around London whilst trying to recapture Speight. Location, Blomfield Road, London W9 as seen from Westbourne Terrace Road Bridge identified by Ray Glenister in the morning............ (RL)

Blomfield Road, London W9 as seen from Westbourne Terrace Road Bridge

..........and by the afternoon we have the supporting shot. (RL)

Inspector 'Freddy' Frisnay (Lloyd Lamble) stops by to check with the men on the front line. Similarly from Ray, Westbourne Terrace Road bridge, London W9 with the houses seen earlier as background. (RL)

Westbourne Terrace Road bridge, London W9 with Blomfield Road houses in the background.

And similarly a supporting shot revealing much more street furniture. (RL)

A new day dawns. John Tunstill identifies this as the statue of George III on Cockspur Street / Pall Mall in SW1. The location was seen in 'The Long Arm'.

Peter took this rather cluttered view of the same place with new trees and scaffolding added.

Early morning scenes are shown as the city comes to life. Smithfield Market in EC1 identified by John Tunstill.

A more colourful comparison from Peter.

A lone taxi plies for hire. Looking along The Mall from Buckingham Palace in SW1. Found by JT.

I just happened to be there on another assignment. (RL)

Mothers walk with their children as the milk is delivered. Hartland Road in London NW1 with Holy Trinity church in the right background. The location was also seen in 'It Always Rains on Sunday'.

The spire's in trouble again. Perhaps the top is finally being replaced. SJ

St. Swithin's Lane, from King William Street, London EC3 Circa 1953

The financial district wakes up. Ray Glenister woke up early to locate this one for us, St. Swithin's Lane, seen from Lombard Street, London EC3 and the main buildings are still there, thankfully. The footage is reused in 'Keep It Clean'. (RL)

St. Swithin's Lane, from King William Street, London EC3

To confirm Ray's findings and the retention of the foreground buildings. (RL)

Markets bustle as the police continue their search for Speight. John Tunstill advises that this is looking along Russell Street towards Covent Garden in WC2.

Did anyone seriously question JT?

Police officers co-ordinate their plans. Waterloo Bridge with St Paul's in the right distance. Identified by JT.

A still recognisable skyline now by Peter.

Another patrol car is dispatched. The corner of York Road and Cliff Road on the N7 / NW1 boundary. The cafe still stands!

And Peter found it!

Panning with the vehicle brings more of the background building into sight. The Red Lion public house, which still stands on what was the north-west corner of the Metropolitan Cattle Market in Islington N7.

The same location taken by Peter.

And still further brings a tower into view. It's the Metropolitan Cattle Market Clock Tower which now finds itself to the south of the imaginatively named Clock View Crescent in London N7. The tower was also seen in 'The Committee'.

Paul Lincoln was not exactly spoilt for choice in trying to find a suitable position to capture a shot of the tower. (RL)

  • 'Now' required

A police car speeds through the streets. This is the corner of Lockton Street and Bramley Road in a reused sequence from 'The Lavender Hill Mob'.

  • 'Now' required

The shot follows the car as it passes under an adjacent bridge. Bramley Road in W10.

Hugo walks through a market as he goes in search of the murdered girl's sister. Ray Glenister previously identified this as Portobello Road, London W11 and now by the process of elimination, the only section that has set back floors is circa No. 202, here showing the entrance to Dunworth Mews used in the next capture. The street can be seen in many films including 'Dangerous Davies: The Last Detective', ‘The Wind of Change’, ‘Breaking Glass’ and 'West 11'. (RL)

Portobello Road street market

A general picture of Portobello Road, London W11, as found by Ray Glenister, until a more accurate one can be taken from the balcony. Feel free to replace! (RL)

With direction from a stall holder, Hugo enters a courtyard. Ray Glenister established the location as Dunworth Mews, off Portobello Road, London W11. (RL)

Dunworth Mews looking towards Portobello Road

Dunworth Mews looking towards Portobello Road, with many thanks to Nick who very kindly moved his van. (RL)

Coming close to finding the out the truth, Hugo approaches the home of Susie Martin, Joanna's sister in law. Also Dunworth Mews says Ray, which can be seen in 'Moon Over the Alley'. (RL)

A three quarter view of a part of Dunworth Mews, London

Gone are the days when children "played outside". (RL)

Hugo enters the building where Susie lives. Dunworth Mews, London W11 as found by Ray. (RL)

A much changed residential location now. (RL)

Hyde Park Bandstand. Circa 1953

Thelma and Hugo walk in the park as he explains his thoughts about someone close to her being Joanna's real murderer. Ray proposes that this "must surely" be Hyde Park Bandstand. (RL)

Hyde Park Bandstand.

All the indications are that it is indeed Hyde Park Bandstand. (RL)

  • 'Now' required

Mervyn Speight (Kieron Moore) leaves a phone box after calling Hugo.

Hugo searches for Speight at the bomb site and, when the two meet, the story of Joanna's murder is recounted. Between Cheapside and Watling Street in EC4 showing the eastern side of St. Paul's Cathedral. The area has, of course, been redeveloped! The area also featured in 'The Lavender Hill Mob' as well as 'His and Hers', 'The Hangman Waits', ‘The League of Gentlemen’, ‘The Oracle’ and ‘Kaleidoscope’.

Peter captured the best shot possible, with additions fore and aft.

After Speight explains that he witnessed the woman's death, a policeman is spotted when the two start to leave the hideout. This is facing north towards Cheapside on Friday Street in EC4.

Looking towards Cheapside from One New Change on roughly the line of the developed Friday Street. Picture by Peter.

Hugo hides Speight in his car and drives home. This section of Friday Street is now covered by One New Change.

Peter took this shot of the colonnade belonging to 25 Cannon Street which is roughly where Friday Street once ran.

Henry Dorval (Liam Gaffney) leaves the station and sees a billboard bringing attention to the Speight story. St. John's Wood Underground station at the corner of Finchley Road and Acacia Road in NW8. The station and road junction were also seen in ‘Black Orchid’, 'The Diamond', 'It's Never Too Late' and ‘One Way Out’.

You wouldn't expect much of a change to a Grade ll listed building. (RL)

The artist reads the headlines before hailing a cab. In the background stands Wellington Court at the junction of Finchley Road and Grove End Road in St John's Wood.

A few changes to the forecourt of the station but little change except more greenery. (RL)