My Beautiful Laundrette

Date: 1985
Director: Stephen Frears
Production Company: Working Title Films, SAF Productions, Channel Four Films

Stars: Gordon Warnecke, Daniel Day-Lewis, Saeed Jaffrey, Roshan Seth
Location(s): London

Region(s):

Storyline:

Ambitious young Omar and his lover Johnny become the caretakers and business managers of a launderette.

Additional Information:

Screen captures uploaded by Phil Wilkinson

 

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  • 'Now' required

Omar Ali (Gordon Warnecke) and Johnny Burfoot (Daniel Day-Lewis) move out of their squalid accommodation in a hurry... imdb cites 12 St John (sic) Crescent. It's a good shout. St John's Crescent runs east off Brixton Road, SW9. (SJ)

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Johnny collects his drying jeans on the way through the garden.

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At his father's flat, Omar hangs out the washing. A train approaches on the main line from Waterloo whilst, overhead, another passes on the line from Victoria. Roger Armstrong adds that the view is of the back of the terrace ending at 32 Southolm Street SW11.

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Omar enters his uncle Nasser's garage for a job washing cars that 'Papa' has arranged.

Nasser Ali (Saeed Jaffrey) and his nephew arrive at the rear of Churchill's launderette.

Unchanged. SJ

Omar learns that his uncle is promoting him from car washing to looking after the launderette. Wilcox Road, Lambeth.

Still interested in the races. SJ

  • 'Now' required

Salim Ali sends Omar on an errand to collect drugs from a Dealer (Badi Uzzaman) which gives him an idea of how to finance improvemets to the laundrette. This appears to be the view of Waterloo station from Canterbury House on Royal Street in SE1.

After delivering the drugs to Salim, Omar departs. Carlisle Mansions, Carlisle Place, London SW1.

From ground level. SJ

Salim Ali (Derrick Branche) watches as Omar speeds away. Carlisle Place in SW1.

Also from ground level. SJ

With the income from selling drugs, Omar and Johnny start to renovate the dilapidated launderette. Wilcox Road, London SW8. John Westbrooke updates us with news that by the summer of 2024, the side of the street featuring the 'launderette' had been demolished and was being redeveloped.

Now a cafe popular with the London Portuguese. SJ

After being introduced to Omar's family, Johnny is asked to assist Nasser with evicting some tenants. Christopher Matheson identifies this as facing north in Bedford Road SW4 with the since demolished Priory Park Secondary School on the corner of Aristotle Road in the centre background.

And this shows the replacement roofs of the school. SJ

Nasser and Johnny enter the premises. Christopher Matheson located the background property as 63 Bedford Road SW4. Roger Armstrong adds that the building is one of George Jennings' terracotta enriched houses, examples of which can be also be seen just around the corner in Ferndale Road.

Grade II listed in March 1981. SJ

The evicted Poet (Ram John Holder) hops about after Nasser throws his belongings from the room. The view from number 63 or 61 of the west side of Bedford Road located by Christopher Matheson who adds that Aristotle Road is out of frame, on the far side of the road, to the right.

All intact. SJ

After work is completed, the opening day of 'Powders' launderette arrives. Looking out onto Wilcox Road in SW8.

Taken from outside as the terrace containing no11 is still a building site, as mentioned in cap 10. SJ

Nasser and his mistress, Rachel (Shirley Anne Field), fall out when his daughter Tania shows up. Wilcox Road with buildings on Luscombe Way visible above the foreground rooves.

The Vauxhall Wharf development continues to grow in the background. SJ

  • 'Now' required

Johnny arrives at Nasser's house to meet Omar.

As Salim drives Omar and Johnny from the house, they see Johnny's punk friends in the darkened streets. Ascalon Street at the junction with Stewart's Road SW8.

Lot more greenery now. SJ

Moose is knocked down as Salim drives through the gang. Stewart's Road in Battersea.

The same area now with smarter railings. SJ

Omar visits one of Zaki's launderettes after he's asked to run them too. Looking out onto Wandsworth Road in SW8 with what is currently Flash Bar to the extreme right.

I took a shot inside the launderette (Dirty Laundry) as well but it didn't come out clearly enough. Looking onto 112 Wandsworth Road below the white painted flats. SJ

Whilst Johnny waits outside in the car, he sees Moose (Stephen Marcus) in the mirror. Wandsworth Road. The block of flats has since gained a hip roof.

Figuring that the side-view mirror in the original must result in a reverse shot, I've altered accordingly. This is just south of the new Nine Elms tube station. The post-box has moved, almost swapping places with the bus stop, and the trees are thriving after only a few years. SJ

Johnny spins the car around and leaves Omar with Zaki and Salim. A number 77 bus pauses to pick up passengers at the stop between Hemans Street and Pascal Street in SW8.

From ground level. SJ

Tilting up from image mybela021 brings more of Wandsworth Road into view.

Those tall buildings have been replaced with other tall buildings. SJ

Johnny arrives back at 'Powders' as the gang of punks descend on the laundrette. Wilcox Road, London SW8. The location was used 27 years earlier for 'Soapbox Derby'.

For once I'm holding the camera straighter. SJ

Children playing in the street run away as the punks start to gather. Wilcox Road in SW8.

Off angle somewhat. SJ

Genghis (Richard Graham) appears on the roof of the laundrette.

With part of the Wyvill Estate on Luscombe Road looming up behind. SJ

Nasser makes his way to Hussein's flat.

Ravenet Street in SW11. (PW)

The camera follows Nasser. The corner of Queenstown Road and Ravenet Street.

The same corner now. (PW)

Nasser enters the building to visit his brother as the attack on 'Powders' begins.

Queenstown Road, London SW11. (PW)

Zaki (Gurdial Sira) talks to Omar about launderettes and dry cleaners. Wandsworth Road, London SW8.

More colourful now. SJ

The two continue their walk back to 'Powders'. Wandsworth Road SW8.

Oh dear, come back in winter. This is heading north with the next right turn being Wilcox Road. SJ

As they approach the laundrette they find Salim injured and the punks fighting with Johnny. Passing The Gladstone public house on Wilcox Road.

Converted to offices and flats, as so many pubs are now. SJ

  • 'Now' required

Nasser tells Hussein Ali (Roshan Seth) that his mistress has left him and that he'll look after Omar.

Hussein turns and sees Tania on the platform of the nearby station. Queenstown Road (Battersea) station which stands on Queenstown Road in SW8.

John Harwood proves the location.

  • 'Now' required

Tania Ali (Rita Wolf) is seen by her father before disappearing when a train passes. Queenstown Road Station in Battersea.

Inside the wrecked laundrette, Omar and Johnny make up. Wilcox Road in London SW8.

The parade is still doing good business. SJ