Touch of Death

The credits pass showing suburban houses in a road seen through a car window. At the end of the credits the car, driven by Pete Mellow (William Lucas) pulls into a petrol filling station where he and his companion Nick (Thomas Kyffin) plan to rob the safe. Richmond Road, Twickenham in Middlesex.

Very little has changed except for the addition of zig zag lines.

An alternative view as they pull to an halt.

A change in the pump prices I would suggest.

After the safe is blown Pete, driven by garage mechanic Len Williams (David Sumner) speed off just as a policeman (Kenneth Gilbert) and a local resident are passing.

The pub has gone "up market".

Nick’s escape is however hampered by the garage chief mechanic Fred (Reg Lever) and has to escape on foot, but runs in front of a truck (Driver played by Frank Mayer). Oak Lane, Twickenham in Middlesex.

A rather less dramatic spot today.

The local police are quickly to the scene. Twickenham Police Station, London Road, Twickenham. Also seen in 'Fog for a Killer'.

As we have seen before, the service road has been lost.

But Pete and Len are supposedly heading in the opposite direction. Upper Square, Isleworth with The Swan Inn in the left background. The location can be seen in 'Echoes of Diana', 'The Sicilians' and 'The Hi-Jackers'.

As peaceful as it was over 50 years ago.

Their escape continues. Bill Rice and Tim Wingham provide the location for us, the A316 Chertsey Road, Twickenham on the Middlesex side of Twickenham Bridge looking north east.

The exact angle meant Tim climbing over a fence into a garden, and so in fear of trespass his shot is slightly left of the original shooting location.

Having “ditched” the car Len saves a little boy from drowning and wants “no fuss” but mother Mrs Grey (Alethea Charlton) sends her other son Davy (Robin Sumner) off to get their names. Unknown location.

Does that roadway help to identify the location? Well, it helped Antony Blair who advises that this is in Laleham, Surrey next to the Thames and the road to the left is called Thames Side.

Nick Boorman gets as close as possible to the original view.

Having high-jacked a moored boat that is for sale Pete and Len keep Jackie (Jan Waters), the owner, hostage. In the morning Jackie’s fiancé telephones the local boathouse in order to speak to her. The owner Morgan (Lane Meddick) asks his daughter Pam (Roberta Tovey) to call upon her at the boat. A quite distinctive boat house. Such that when Phil Richards identified Maidenhead Court Boathouse, Court Road, Maidenhead for the film 'Richard's Things' I was immediately allerted.

Such were the quality and quantity of Phil's shots for 'Richard's Things' I have been able to use them for comparative shots here. Exactly the same except, not surprisingly, a little smarter.

A larger shot of the boat house as Pete buys some fuel for the boat so that they can escape by river. Maidenhead Court Boathouse, Court Road, Maidenhead.

Phil's shot reveals that the boat yard itself has been grassed over.

Mrs Morgan (Ann Martin) emerges from the boat house balcony to call Jack for breakfast. Maidenhead Court Boathouse, Court Road, Maidenhead.

Nobody invited Phil for breakfast or anything else.

Morgan collapses having handled some of the stolen money which it turns out was contaminated and the police rush to the scene. Tim Wingham provides the location, the A316 Twickenham besides All Hallows church, opposite Marlow Crescent. The cars are heading out of London.

Tim sends us a greener comparative shot.

Police circulate the roads announcing that contaminated notes are in circulation. Junction of Shepperton Road, The Broadway and Blacksmith’s Lane, Laleham, Surrey. Also seen in Serena.

Fortunately, one can still park there...... legally!

Len falls ill while steering the boat, Jackie warns a passing boat to phone the police and Pete jumps ashore to see the lock keeper (Victor Charrington) calling the police.

No lock keeper on duty today.

As the boat starts to approach the weir Len sees Pete leap the fence at the lock. Chertsey Lock, Surrey

I could not gain authorised entry to the lock but there was no one leaping the fence when I took the shot.

The police close in. Chertsey Lock

Very little has changed over the years.

Pete runs from the police along the weir pathway but falls into the weir with the money. Perhaps the first example of money laundering.

Best possible shot without access.