Adventures of a Taxi Driver

A narrator tells of the life of cab drivers throughout the world as scenes featuring taxis are shown.

Alan Draghi provides us with a wider and more recognisable shot of the Strand, London WC2 between Villers Street and Southampton Street WC2. (RL)

Cabs are seen as they ply the streets of London. Neil Rigby identifies this as Victoria Station and the corner of Wilton Road, now re-developed. (RL)

Alan Draghi sends us this shot of the location now pointing out that the white building in the centre, the Victoria Palace theatre, has survived the re-development of the area. (RL)

Waiting for a fare, Joe North (Barry Evans) sits reading in his taxi. In the background stands The Elgin public house at the corner of Elgin Avenue and Lanark Road in W9. The area was also used in 'Passport to Shame' and 'Mr. Jolly Lives Next Door'.

Tris provides this view towards Lanark Road across the still extant taxi rank.

The narration goes on to explain that the cabbie has no prejudices.

Neil Rigby, credited as NR for remaining info., found the location, Sutherland Avenue by Castellain Road, London W9 and this replaces his Google shot. SJ

The driver passes a man as he hails the cab . . . . only to stop a few yards on to pick up a pretty woman.

Panning to left (NR). SJ

Taxis are seen carrying passengers all over London.

Replacing Neil Rigby's identifying Google Earth View of Hamilton Terrace, London, NW8 (RL)

Another street featuring another cab. This is Elgin Avenue in Maida Vale W9.

The postbox has gone possibly in the road narrowing exercise. The Elgin pub, mentioned in 003, is on the right at the terrace end. SJ

The narrator continues, claiming that taxi drivers have fewer accidents than other drivers.

Neil Rigby with the help of Google identified the spot as Warrington Crescent, London, W9 in July 2015, now replaced by SJ.

As a Rolls Royce attempts to overtake, a hand hails the taxi and the cabbie screeches to a halt.

Replacing the NR/Google shot of July 2015. SJ

After crashing into a bollard, the Rolls Royce Driver (Pete Walker) looks in disbelief as the taxi pulls away.

NR found the spot: Warrington Hotel, Warrington Crescent, London W9. Replacing the google. SJ

A cab approaches the camera and comes to a stand.

Castellain Road, London W9. NR/Google replaced. SJ

Joe drops a Gentleman at his destination and collects the fare.

Also Castellian Road, London W9 NR/Google. (RL)

After breaking the fourth wall with a comment about the size of his tip, Joe drives away to find the next passenger. Neil Rigby places this as Castellain Road, London W9

Looking north-west towards Sutherland Avenue. SJ

On another day, Joe drives off to work from outside the small basement flat where he lives with his mother, his thieving younger brother Peter and his little sister.

Replacing Neil Rigby's identifying Google Earth View of Blenheim Terrace, London, NW8 (RL)

As he cruises the streets, Joe takes in the sights.

Another missing "now" from Alan, Hamilton Terrace, London NW8 and junction with Abercorn Place.

More scenery is taken in as the morning progresses.

Edinburgh House and Falkirk House, Maida Vale, London NW8. NR points out that the postbox is still there. Google replaced. SJ

Streets and shops get busier and yes . . . more women are ogled. Well, it was the 1970s! This is Woolworths on Edgware Road W2 with the corner of Harrowby Street to the right. The premises are currently occupied by Waitrose.

Looking south-east down Edgware Road. SJ

In the distance, Joe spots a likely customer and slows down. Baylis Road, London SE1 with the spire of Christ Church, now Oasis Church, to the right.

The hoarding has gone and has been replaced by an extension to the park in this picture from Peter.

A young lady holds her arm out as the taxi draws near. Baylis Road with the Duke of Sussex public house on the road's former route to the left.

Peter replicates the same scene.

Joe carries his fare to the requested destination . . . . the middle of Lambeth Bridge.

Facing Millbank and Horseferry Road SW1 from Lambeth Bridge. Picture by Peter.

Linda (Jane Hayden) is talked down from the bridge and Joe takes her home. Lambeth Bridge with the Victoria Tower of the Houses of Parliament to the right of centre.

Peter found that no one was contemplating the end when he visited.

When Linda's boyfriend turns up at the house and finds the pair in each other's arms, Joe makes his excuses and leaves as they argue. Opposite Alexander Street on Westbourne Park Road in W2.

New door and steps. SJ

Following a series of questions from his girlfriend Carol (Adrienne Posta), Joe drives away with his belongings after leaving home.

Replacing Neil Rigby's identifying Google Earth View of Blenheim Terrace, London, NW8 looking towards Blenheim Road. (RL)

Joe arrives in the mews where his pal Tom lives above his motor repair business. Prince's Mews off Hereford Road, London W2.

The mews look narrower now! SJ

After Tom agrees to let him lodge for a couple of weeks, Joe gets back to work. Whitehall in SW1 with Nelson's Column in the distance and the statue of the Duke of Cambridge to the left. The famous road also appears in 'V for Vendetta', ‘Skyfall’, 'Gideon's Day', 'Come Play With Me' and 'The Body Stealers' amongst others.

A clearer view along Whitehall in this picture by Peter.

Another passenger, another fare and another shot of the location from image 016. Edinburgh House, Maida Vale London NW8. See adtadr016n

The base has been filled in. SJ

The busy day draws on.

Another busy day for Neil finds Randolph Avenue, London W9 on Google, now replaced by SJ

It's time to take a break and Joe swings his cab off the main road. Park Royal Road at the junction with Coronation Road in London NW10.

Antony Blair provides this shot taken at the same junction.

The vehicle is brought to a stand outside a cafe. The bank in the background stands at the corner of Coronation Road and Abbey Road in Park Royal.

The bank is still open for business in Antony's view.

After making arrangements for a date with the waitress, Joe leaves the cafe with his sausage bap. Looking out onto Abbey Road NW10.

A good match from Antony Blair.

The morning after an eventful date with Dora, Joe is back at work.

Joe gets out of his cab with a parcel for Mrs. De Vere Barker. Springfield Road, London NW8 found by Neil Rigby.

Replacing Neil Rigby's identifying Google Earth view. (RL)

A box containing a new dress is carried to the door. 38 Springfield Road in London NW8 located by Neil Rigby. The house and road also appear in 'Calling All Cars'.

SJ replaced Neil's Google view.

The meter keeps on ticking whilst Joe is inside helping Mrs. De Vere Barker to try on her new dress. Springfield Road in St. John's Wood located by NR.

Replacing the NR's Google of July '15. Unfortunately it wasn't until I returned home that I realised how blurry this is so it's in turn highly replaceable. SJ

Some time later, Joe leaves the house and notices the extortionate fare that has been clocked up. NR advises that this is Springfield Road NW8.

Replacing the July '15 GEV. The set of three windows clinches it. SJ

Joe thinks better of charging Mrs. De Vere Barker after their afternoon together.

Looking west down Springfield Road. SJ

Through hazy London streets, Joe heads to pick up Tom's girlfriend Nikki. Facing Parliament Square and Parliament Street from St. Margaret Street in SW1.

Peter found a less hazy but more populated location.

After oddly passing The Unity public house at the corner of York Road and Chatfield Road in Battersea, Joe parks up outside the Soho club where Nikki and her friend Helga work as a strippers.

Neil Rigby assures us that with no prior knowledge he found the changing face of Soho at 48 Dean Street which was also seen in 'Rude Boy'. Replacing Neil's Google Street View. (RL)

The day after Carol catches her boyfriend in bed with Helga, Joe helps Marion (Angela Scoular) with her packages after a shopping trip.

The trees have thickened but one can still make out the side-of-the-house window in the top centre. SJ

The two head to the front door of the large suburban house.

This is a couple of doors east of capture 33 on the north side of Springfield Road, London NW8 NR/Google, replaced by SJ

When Marion can't find her keys, Joe helps out by finding a way in through a back window. Neil Rigby identifies this as Springfield Road, London NW8

In the intervening 6 years between visits, the garden of no42 has been remodelled allowing a trespass-free shot. SJ

Harold (Brian Wilde) returns home unexpectedly. Neil Rigby identifies this as Springfield Road, London NW8

Looking to the south side of Springfield Road. SJ

Without his clothes, Joe manages to escape from the house.

Springfield Road, London NW8 NR/Google, replaced, showing the house on the right. The one on the left is seen above. SJ

Putting on the only clothing to be found in the cab, Joe drives away, heading west.

Springfield Road, London NW8 NR/Google, replaced by SJ

With the meter off, Joe hurries home. Looking towards the corner of Randolph Avenue on Elgin Avenue W9.

Looking west. SJ

Wearing only a jacket, Joe stops as a policeman helps an elderly lady across the road.

Neil Rigby found no such obstruction in his 2015 Google shot in Colville Road looking towards All Saints Church, Notting Hill. We had to believe Neil that the Church was behind the trees! (RL). But now this replacement reveals the church. This is approaching the intersection of the car crash seen in "About Time." SJ

A Vicar (Jack Haig) helps a Nun (Beatrice Shaw) into the waiting taxi before telling Joe to take her to St. Mary's Convent.

When they arrive at the Convent, the Nun asks Joe to help with her cases. Outside Saint Mary of the Angels Church on Moorhouse Road in W2 which is seen in 'Afraid of the Dark' as well as, notes Tris, 'West 11'.

Tris captured a view of the side entrance on Moorhouse Road.

Joe looks one way along the road . . . . Moorhouse Road in Bayswater.

Looking north along Moorhouse Road taken by Tris.

. . . . . and then the other before getting out of his cab to assist. Facing Artesian Road from Moorhouse Road with the upper floors of the Cock & Bottle public house to the top right.

Looking south. SJ

A police woman appears just as Joe waits naked from the waist down with the cases. Looking south on Moorhouse Road.

Now. SJ

When she turns from the Convent door, the Nun watches bemused as Joe drives away without being paid. Saint Mary of the Angels Church, Bayswater.

Nice big bollard in the way now. In case the door is rammed? SJ

After obtaining clothes from home, Joe goes back on the road. Around 14 The Broadway in Greenford, Middlesex.

Antony Blair battles with a low sun to get this shot.

The latest fare turns out to be a Kidnapper (Lee Crawford) and his accomplices. 12 Ruislip Road in Greenford can be seen to the left of Joe's face.

The same background captured by Antony Blair.

With a gun at his back, Joe is ordered to drive.

........down Artesian Road looking towards Ledbury Road, London W2 found by Neil Rigby and this replaces his GEV looking west. SJ

On the rear seat, two Hoodlums (David Auker and Andrew Secombe) sit either side of their Victim (Sue Vanner). By carefully following their route frame by frame Neil Rigby places this as Ruislip Road near Rectory Park Avenue, UB5. (RL)

Turning from the main road, the terrifying journey continues onto a disused airfield. This is the former General Post Office Motor Transport Depot at Yeading.

Derelict buildings appear ahead. The GPO Depot at Yeading near Greenford which once maintained a fleet of around 42,000 vehicles.

Joe and the victim are taken onto waste ground where it's revealed that the kidnap has been a joke brought about by a bet. The former GPO site at Yeading. Neil Rigby places this as looking towards Highview, the block of flats in the right distance, standing on Byron Way in Northolt.

Antony Blair took this closer shot of Highview tower from Rectory Park.

Female impersonator Bunny McQueen (Stephen Riddle) is picked up from outside the Pembridge Castle public house. 45 Ledbury Road in Notting Hill W11.

Tris provides this comparison adding that The Pembridge Castle is now Beach Blanket Babylon.

Another fare is carried across London.

Neil Rigby, after considerable research, established the location as Millbank SW1 at the junction with Vauxhall Bridge Road and Ponsonby Terrace supported on 24/8/15 by a Google shot, now replaced by SJ showing the new building on the far left, which had to be "CGI-ed" for Spectre.

As a policeman deals with a car parked on double yellow lines, the passenger gets out of the cab and pays Joe. Facing north-east on Praed Street W2.

Now. SJ

Alarm bells sound and two robbers flee from a jewellers. Praed Street in Paddington.

Now more edible. SJ

The thieves spot Joe's taxi. Praed Street with the Clarence Memorial Wing of St. Mary's Hospital to the left.

Nice empty street for once. SJ

The shop owner appears as the robbers are driven away after climbing into Joe's cab. The premises on Praed Street still stand.

131 Praed Street. SJ

The police officer looks up to see the taxi disappear. Praed Street W2 with the junction of London Street and the Paddington Hilton in the centre distance.

Rather a dark day. SJ

Police in a patrol car receive a message about the robbery and to keep a look out for a black taxi. Moscow Road in W2.

Looking south towards Moscow Road from Hereford Road. SJ

The policemen watch through their windscreen as a stream of black cabs pass by. Identified by Alan Draghi as Down Street, London W1 looking towards Piccadilly and Green Park. (RL)

The corner looks pretty much the same in Peter's modern view.

As the robbers look through the rear window, a police car passes going in the wrong direction.

The view towards the junction of Hereford Road, Dawson Place and Princes Square with the Prince Edward public house at left. Picture by Tris.

One of the jewel thieves orders Joe to turn into a familiar mews. Looking towards Moscow Road on Hereford Road in Paddington.

Quite a lot of renovation going on. SJ

The taxi is driven towards Tom's premises where his friend and his brother are waiting for their associates to return from the robbery. Prince's Mews in W2.

Huge change to the mews house at the end. SJ

When he goes to leave the flat with Carol, Joe opens to door to find Inspector Rogers (Henry McGee) and Sergeant Jeeves (Charles Pemberton) outside. Looking out onto Prince's Mews.

Looking west from the end of the mews. SJ

Following arrests and convictions, Joe leaves Wormwood Scrubs after visiting Tom in prison. Du Cane Road, London W12.

Now. SJ

Having lost his accommodation when Tom was arrested, Joe gets into his cab to drive home to his mother's flat. Du Cane Road, White City.

Did they put that bollard there to stop Joe and others picking up there? (RL)

Another day, another dollar as Joe sets out for another day's work after a terrible breakfast.

Replacing Neil's GEV identifying Blenheim Terrace, London NW8, with a leaf-free view which shows more detail of the western end of the terrace. SJ

Things start to look up as, later that morning, Linda is picked up once again. Facing north on Baylis Road SE1 with the road access to Waterloo Station on the extreme left and properties formerly on Lower Marsh in the background.

Peter found that some of the background buildings have been replaced.