Act of Murder (An Edgar Wallace Mystery)

Leaving the home of Ralph and Anne Longman, at the end of their drive Tim Ford meets the Peterson's Rolls Royce coming the other way.

Leaving for their holiday after the couple they have exchanged houses with arrive, Anne Longman (Justine Lord) carries her luggage to the car where Ralph is waiting.

As soon as the Longman's drive away, antique dealer John Quick (Richard Burrell) arrives to find that Will Peterson (Duncan Lewis) has already compiled an inventory of the house's contents.

Maud Peterson (Dandy Nichols) helps her husband and Mr. Quick to empty the house.

Suspecting that they have been robbed when discovering that the Peterson's address doesn't exist, Ralph Longman (Anthony Bate) and his wife return home later that night and realise that everything in order except that their dog is missing.

Ralph follows Ann when she flees the house after the couple find that their plants, chickens and pet budgerigar have been killed.

When Ralph catches up with Ann, the pair return home and consult Mr. Watson who explains that the birds were killed by an insecticide and the plants by burning.

Following a tip off from a Constable, Ralph travels to Esher and learns that Mr. Quick is attending a funeral where Maud Peterson recognises him. Peter Bywaters identifies this as St. Nicholas church on Church Hill, Pyrford in Surrey.

The tree and the gravestone remain standing in Peter's view.

Ralph confronts John Quick about events at their house a couple of weeks ago. St. Nicholas church in Pyrford located by Peter Bywaters.

Peter's comparison shows that thing are still very much the same.

Ralph suggests that a scratch on Quick's Rolls Royce was due to the car hitting a gatepost on his driveway. Peter Bywaters found the church yard around St. Nicholas church on Church Hill, Pyrford.

The hedge has grown but Peter assures us that the building in the background is still there.

Following Quick to his shop, Ralph parks up. Just outside the car park entrance of the Talbot Inn on High Street in Ripley, Surrey recognised by Peter Bywaters.

Concentrating on the buildings, Peter took this shot and explains that the one of the shops in the background has since been extended.

Getting out of his Morris 1100, Ralph crosses the busy road. Talbot Cottage on High Street, Ripley identified by Peter Bywaters . . .

. . . who captured the scene now.

Between traffic, Ralph sprints towards the antique dealer's shop. Peter Bywaters locates this as The Green at Ripley.

Peter discovered that the building has been converted into a residential property but has retained much of its original character.

Outside the premises, Quick speaks with a Mason (Michael Robbins) who has arrived with a marble headstone for William Peterson's grave. Peter Bywaters advises that the shop was called John Hill Antiques in the mid 1960s.

No longer a shop in Peter's comparison.

The Mason turns to find Ralph looking at him. Looking back across the High Street in Ripley, Surrey with the Talbot Inn visible in the left background.

Taken from a similar position by Peter.

Tim Ford (John Carson) stops in his tracks when he sees Ralph arriving outside the apartment block where Ann is staying in his flat. Looking onto Park Street in W1.

This is the view across the street while, inside, the foyer remains much the same after 58 years. (PW)

Waiting for Ralph to enter and head up to his flat, Tim leaves the building. Fountain House on Park Street in Mayfair, which SJ points out, is also seen in 'The Man Who Wouldn't Talk'.

The rebuilt frontage. (PW)

Finding a telephone kiosk, Tim calls Ann at his flat. Aldford Street in W1 with Park Lane crossing the background. The kiosk can also be seen in 'Morgan, a Suitable Case for Treatment'.

Not as tidy when I visited. (PW)

Learning the truth from Ann, Ralph goes in search of Tim. The wall sign points towards Maiden Lane to the right and Strand to the left and this is Heathcock Court WC2.

Taken from ground level, some elements from the screen capture can still be made out. (PW)

Ralph conceals himself as Tim leaves the Duke of York Theatre's stage door. Looking towards the corner of Heathcock Court and Exchange Court.

Recognisable as the same location. (PW)

A little way along the alley, Ralph confronts Tim before forcing him into a passageway. Facing the rear of the Adelphi Theatre on Heathcock Court.

A scar on the far wall marks the line of the fire escape. (PW)

Tim falls to the ground after Ralph shoots him.

Although alterations have taken place, the same area remains beyond the locked gate. (PW)

Passers-by stand in silence after hearing gunshots before Ralph leaves the passageway. Heathcock Court in WC2.

My focus was drawn to the right. (PW)