Night We Got the Bird, The

Along the West Pier in Brighton, Sussex, a Nurse pulls a bath-chair containing an Old Gent. The pier was also seen in 'Oh What a Lovely War', 'Loot' and 'Smokescreen'.

The Nurse brings the bath-chair to a halt near a 'What the Butler Saw' machine.

The West Pier now. A zoomed-in view (from the end of the Palace Pier) of the area at the north-east corner of the pier head where the large kiosk was situated. In 2003 the pier was destroyed by an arson attack, and all that remains is the rusted framework. (SD)

The Old Gent peers into the viewing machine to watch the titles of this Whitehall farce set in Brighton and Hove in which Brian Rix plays the buffoon in a film so terrible that Halliwell's Film Guide of 1979 fails to list it. What ignominy! (JT)

The small kiosk to the right of the old gent was the only wooden structure on the pier to survive the fire. It remained that way for a few years until eventually falling into the sea. (SD)

It's early morning when a van comes into view. Market Street, Brighton in Sussex.

Market Street in The Lanes, now pedestrianised. SD

Cecil Gibson arrives home after a night of gambling. Kings Road, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, with number 11 on the left. (SD)

The location is revisited by Peter Bywaters who found number 11 behind a wall of vehicles.

PC Lovejoy (Terry Scott) is walking past the Gibson's house as the Ford Thames comes to a stand. 5 Kings Road, Walton-on-Thames. (SD)

The property now, taken by Peter Bywaters.

Later that morning, Cecil Gibson heads to his shop in The Lanes. Looking south along Ship Street in Brighton.

Now, late afternoon. SD

The shot follows the van as it corners. Prince Albert Street from the corner of Ship Street.

Now with a van parked on Prince Albert Street. SD

Employed as a front man for Gibson's dodgy business, Bertie Skidmore (Brian Rix) makes his way to the shop. Facing north at the junction of Prince Albert Street and Ship Street.

A second visit to this location was needed today because of an earlier van infestation. SD

Bertie appears embarrassed as he carries a bust through the streets of Brighton. To the right is the gateway of the Friends Meeting House and in the left distance stands the former Post Office.

No one embarrassing themselves with a bare bust today. SD

The stooge doesn't notice a dog's lead in his path.

Meeting House Lane in Brighton, located and captured by SD.

Bertie still hasn't noticed the lead in his path.

A publicity still from Sixties British Cinema (The History of British Film) by Robert Murphy from 1992. ISBN-13: 978-0851703244.

Having knocked a Woman into the pram she was pushing, Bertie attempts to help.

Market Street in the Brighton Lanes. SD

A Tradesman stares down in disbelief after the wheel of his handcart is taken by Gibson to create the wheel of The Mayflower for an American customer.

Brighton Place in The Lanes. The antique shop is now a restaurant.

With Gibson in the back of the van, Bertie Skidmore drives away when he discovers his employer's scams. Looking east on Kings Road with the Queen's Hotel in the left background and the Palace Pier in the right distance.

The van emerges onto Kings Road from Black Lion Street. SD

Bertie speeds along Brighton's seafront towards a Policeman on point duty. Facing west on King's Road with the King's Hotel in the right of centre distance.

The policeman wouldn't want to stand in this busy road now. SD

The van stops just in time, causing the Officer to turn slowly around. King's Road with the easternmost West Pier Toll Booth on the Esplanade to the right.

The toll booth has been rebuilt and is now a café. SD

The Policeman eyes Bertie with suspicion. The corner of King's Road and Regency Square. The location appears in 'The Big Switch' and 'Carry On Girls'.

A modern view of the same corner.

Cecil fights for the wheel as Bertie accelerates away.

Hampton Place, Brighton. Now blocked off halfway along. SD

The Offices notes the registration number as the van weaves from side to side in the distance. King's Road with the Palace Pier in the distance.

Now with bollards replacing the onlookers. SD

Suburban streets are reached as the two fight for control of the vehicle.

Home Park Road, Wimbledon, SW19. The house on the left was number 120. It was demolished a few years ago and rebuilt as an extension to 122. (SD)

A steam roller blocks the road ahead but moves clear just in time.

Home Park Road, Wimbledon. A little farther down the road and another house has been demolished. The concrete wall on the boundary of Wimbledon Park is still recognisable. (SD)

A steep hill and a dead end mark the end of the drive, the van and one of the occupants.

Home Park Road viewed from Arthur Road. The pavement on the corner has been widened. (SD)

Along with friends and family, Bertie attends the funeral of Cecil Gibson. St. Mary's Church, St Mary's Road, Wimbledon SW19 located by Stephen Dean.

Very near to the location where Cecil met his end. (SD)

At the same church, it's not long before the same people gather to witness the marriage of Bertie Skidmore to Cecil's widow Julie. Identified by Stephen Dean, this is St. Mary's Church at the junction of St. Mary’s Road and Arthur Road which can be seen in 'This Was a Woman' and 'Solo for Sparrow'.

A wedding did actually take place here today. (SD)

Arriving for the wedding reception, Fay Sellars (Liz Fraser) approaches home on the back of her boyfriend's motorcycle. Kings Road, Walton-on-Thames, viewed from by the driveway of number 5. (SD)

Peter Bywaters captured the scene looking towards Hersham Road, with the trees in the background still surviving.

Bertie and Julie Skidmore (Dora Bryan) wait to board a bus that will take them to their reception. Facing east on Brunswick Terrace in Hove, Sussex.

No bus stop here now. SD

The bus pulls away as Bertie prepares to carry his bride over the threshold. Brunswick Terrace running alongside Kingsway, Hove with Brunswick Square to the right.

Brunswick Terrace looking good in colour. SD

The Bus Conductor (Basil Lord) notices the newlyweds and stops the bus. Kingsway in Hove with Brighton's West Pier visible to the right. The location appears in 'Penny Points to Paradise'.

Now with the i360 dominating the horizon. SD

Bertie and Julie ascend to the top deck and find a seat towards the front. King's Road, Brighton with Hôtel Metropole and the corner of Cannon Place to the right.

The Metropole was also seen in 'Genevieve' and 'Alfie Darling'. SD

Passengers stand for the bride and groom when they arrive at their stop.

Marine Parade, Brighton, approaching Lower Rock Gardens. Now, viewed from ground level, and not as it should be, from the top of a bus. SD

Fay says goodbye to her sweetheart Ben Green (Vincent Harding). 5 Kings Road, Walton-on-Thames. (SD)

Taken by Peter Bywaters, number 5 is still recognisable after 61 years.

Ben waves back from his home across the road as Bertie discovers that a caged South American parrot has appeared amongst wedding gifts. 12 Kings Road, Walton-on-Thames. (SD)

Number 12, taken by Peter Bywaters who had to squeeze between parked cars to get the shot.

Discovering that the parrot is a reincarnation of Cecil, Bertie takes it to the seafront. Looking up at Abbotts on the corner of King's Road and Regency Square, almost opposite the site of Brighton's West Pier.

Now with an unsightly addition to Kings Road. SD

Having second thoughts, the cage is taken towards the pier. The entrance to West Pier in Brighton.

Now the entrance to the i360. SD

Bertie arrives on the pier where PC Lovejoy witnesses the disposal of the parrot. Looking landward on West Pier. The pier was also seen in 'Smokescreen', 'Loot' and many more.

Originally the West Pier entrance, now replaced by The British Airways i360. SD

The parrot survives and Bertie ends up in court charged with cruelty to dumb animals.

As Bertie searches cages at the RSPCA, 'Cecil' escapes through open doors.

An RSPCA Official (Thomas Muschamp) watches as Bertie pursues the colourful bird.

The parrot perches in a tree as Bertie approaches. Watersplash Road in Littleton, near Shepperton, with properties on New Road and the embankment of Queen Mary Reservoir in the distance.

The growth makes it impossible to match the shot but this is the northern end of Watersplash Road. SJ

Bertie knocks a Cyclist into the ford as he chases 'Cecil'. The ford that takes the River Ash across Watersplash Road, which also features in 'Miss Tulip Stays the Night' and 'Make Mine a Million'.

Leaning over as far as I can to include the house at the end of Watersplash Road. SJ

Bertie follows the the bird into a residential area.

Facing Squires Bridge Road from Squires Road in Shepperton. Identified and captured by SD

'Cecil' is spotted flying above the gardens towards a delivery van. Squires Road again.

Peter Bywaters took this shot facing number 32, less than a mile from Shepperton Studios.

As he watches the farce, a Passer-by walks into a lamp post.

Facing Wood Road on Squires Road in Shepperton, Surrey. Located by SD who also provides this comparison.

Bertie continues to chase 'Cecil'.

South of the bridge on Squires Bridge Road in Shepperton. SD

Taking PC Lovejoy's bike, Bertie rides after the van on which the parrot has hitched a lift. This is Squire's Bridge carrying Squire's Bridge Road south over the River Ash which can also be seen in 'The Looking Glass War', 'The Last Chapter' and 'Nothing Barred'.

Nick Boorman provides this modern view with little change.

'Cecil' flies from the van and Bertie dismounts. Stephen Dean located Walton Marina, Walton on Thames in Surrey.

Outside the old boat house which is now Tingdene Marinas chandlery which is situated just around the river bend from Walton Bridge. SD

To follow the bird across the water, Bertie takes a punt in which a Girl (Merylin Roberts) is waiting for her sweetheart. Outside the boathouse at Walton Marina.

Steve Platt found the boathouse intact.

The punt is steered unsteadily across the river. Walton Marina identified by SD.

Walton Marina now. SD

The pursuit leads through a fête and jumble sale. Shepperton Studios, beside the River Ash. The building in the background was attached to Littleton House and was also seen in 'Orders to Kill'. (SD)

Now replaced by The David Lean Building with a car park replacing the lawn. (Image copyright Google) (SD)

Chaos ensues as Bertie chases 'Cecil' through a marquee. Shepperton Studios. To the left of the previous capture. (SD)

Now the car park beside The David Lean Building. (Image copyright Google) (SD)

The parrot and Bertie find their way to the railway station. Brighton North Station? Tim Lidbetter suggests that this is in fact Chessington North sstion on Bridge Street, Chessington in Surry.

Frames either side of the screen grab confirm it as Chessington North so here's the now shot. (RL)

'Cecil' settles on a wall before being captured and put into a basket of pigeons by a short sighted Porter. Chessington North station again.

Peter Bywaters found that the the bill-board disappeared a long time ago and made way for a low level roof for a row of shops.

Bertie asks but none of the staff can help. Chessington North station on Bridge Street in Chessington, Greater London, identified by Tim Lidbetter.

Chessington North it is, but the windows on the platform have been boarded over . . . . . . why? (RL)

To make amends for one of Cecil's earlier swindle, Victor Sellars (Leo Franklyn), Julie and Bertie break into Mr. Warre-Monger's house to take an antique bed. Littleton House at Shepperton Studios in Surrey.

The trio wheel the bed through Brighton towards Rottingdean School for Young Ladies. Madeira Drive in Brighton with the Palace Pier stretching out to sea in the background. The West Pier was also seen from land in 'Cast a Dark Shadow', 'Come Play with Me' and 'All the Right Noises'.

The Palace Pier seen from Madeira Drive now. SD

The school is reached at last. Actually, this is The Lodge belonging to Littleton Park House on Squire's Bridge Road in Shepperton which was also seen in 'The Magnificent Six and ½, A Good Deed in Time', 'Whoever Slew Auntie Roo?', 'On the Fiddle', 'The House that Dripped Blood' and 'Nothing Barred' but has since been demolished.

The original entrance has now been fenced off from Littleton Park House and the lodge has been replaced by housing. (SD)

The three gain entry into the school that appears to be part of a studio set.