Alfie Darling

Driving from the ferry, Alfie's co-driver manoeuvres their articulated lorry towards customs. As well as their ships being used, the film also credits Normandy Ferries so this must be Le Havre in Upper Normandy as the P & O brand operated the route from Southampton to the French port until 1985.

Alfie drives the rig through France on one of his regular runs. Pont de Tancarville crossing the Seine near Tancarville in Normandy.

With the weather deteriorating, Alfie pulls into a roadside restaurant. This is Auberge du Relais on Route Nationale 13, Écardenville-la-Campagne to the south-west of Le Neubourg in Haute-Normandie.

Alfie Elkins (Alan Price) and his co-driver Bakey (Paul Copley) head to the front door of the truck-stop where the cheeky northerner attempts to chat up Abigail Summers, an editor returning from an assignment. Auberge du Relais on the D613 in Écardenville-la-Campagne.

The following morning, Bakey checks over the lorry as Pierre (Roger Lumont) and Alfie emerge from the building. Auberge du Relais in Écardenville-la-Campagne.

Pierre's wife Louise (Rula Lenska) watches as Alfie and Bakey set off in the rain. Outside Auberge du Relais on Route Nationale 13, Écardenville-la-Campagne.

The weather clears as Bakey drives the Volvo F88 through Normandy towards Rouen.

The camera pans with the lorry.

As Bakey drives past a petrol station, Alfie leans from the passenger seat to get a better view of Abby as she pulls out of the forecourt in her red Triumph Spitfire.

Having flirted on the road with the blonde Abby, Alfie and Bakey eventually arrive at their destination. Marc Goris corrects the the location telling us that it is 182, Quai d'Elbeuf in Rouen. (RL)

Marc supports the location with this shot, evidencing that graffiti gets everywhere. (RL)

The Depot Supervisor tells Alfie that he is scheduled to depart at six the next morning. Marc took his comparative shot from the same location as the previous capture, 182, Quai d'Elbeuf in Rouen. (RL)

The skyline certainly confirms the spot. (RL)

The two men take time out before the following day's journey back to Le Havre. The junction of Rue du Gros-Horloge and Rue Massacre with the archway that carries Le Gros Horloge, Rouen's fourteenth-century astronomical clock, in the background.

Marc did not feel it necessary to move a table to complete this shot. (RL)

The view changes to a longer shot as Alfie chases after two girls passing by. Looking roughly eastward along Rue du Gros-Horloge in Rouen. To the top can be seen Le Gros-Horloge or Great Clock.

Marc was compelled to take his shot from ground level. (RL)

Alfie drives the rig away from the docks after the pair arrive back in England. Town Quay, Southampton with the entrance to the Royal Pier on the extreme right. The area was also used for 'Stranger in the House' and 'The Woman in the Hall' and a closer view of the Town Wall can be seen in 'John and Julie'.

The camera pans with the articulated lorry. Western Esplanade in Southampton, Hampshire with St. Michael's Church to the left. The road layout has since been altered.

En route to London, Alfie calls in on the widow of his former workmate.

The "ink is barely dry" and Jules Ballantyne has come up with the location, Woodhall Lane, Shenley which she supports with this Google Earth extract. (RL)

Journey's end sees Alfie and Bakey arrive back at the depot. The yard appears to belong to Bullens Ltd., a transport company with premises on Elstree Way in Borehamwood . . . . . just next door to the studio where this film was based.

While Bakey deals with the paperwork, Alfie calls Fay to arrange an evening with her. Bullens also had a depot on Western Avenue in W3.

Alfie turns into the road where Bakey lives after giving him a lift home. Looking from Malvern Place NW6 towards Malvern Road with Craik Court on Carlton Vale in the right background.

A greener place to live these days. (PW)

Bakey runs into the building as his Mother calls down to him. This is Kilburn House on Malvern Place in Queens Park NW6.

From a similar viewpoint. (PW)

Driving south over the river, Alfie heads home to his flat. Westminster Bridge in SE1 with the House of Parliament taking up the background.

A less sporty-looking vehicle. SJ

The womanising lorry driver heads indoors to freshen up. This is Bourne Terrace in W2 with Gaydon House to the left and Brinklow House on Harrow Road in the right distance.

Remodelling, bollards gone, trees flourishing. SJ

With his Pontiac Firebird parked in the street outside, Alfie spends the night with Fay while her Husband is away in Birmingham. Steve Randall identifies the building as numbers 20 to 41 St. Mary's Mansions on St. Mary's Terrace W2.

No Pontiac Firebird today. Next door to the right was seen in "Moment of Indiscretion" and "Night Train for Inverness." SJ

Determined to date Abby, Alfie visits the publishing company where she works. Looking out from Millbank Tower SW1 at the River Thames and buildings on Albert Embankment beyond.

Lots of new building on the Albert Embankment. SJ

Carrying the manifest for a load to Trieste, Bakey tells his mate about a girl that he met over the weekend before Alfie feigns a back injury to get out of the trip.

After going home to change, Alfie returns to the publishing house and waits until Abigail Summers (Jill Townsend) leaves work. The ground floor of Millbank Tower on Millbank.

Now. SJ

The sophisticated magazine editor gets into her sports car. Beneath Millbank Tower in London SW1. The location can also be seen in 'Innocent Bystanders' and ‘The Liquidator’.

The steps have sprouted forward. SJ

The Spitfire is driven out onto the roadway. Looking north on Millbank.

Now, a post-box has appeared. SJ

A change of angle sees Alfie sitting in his car just along the street. Millbank with Millbank Tower to the right.

An empty road for once. SJ

Not too far behind, Alfie follows Abby as she drives away. Millbank SW1 with the Victoria Tower of the Palace of Westminster straight ahead and the corner of Thorney Street to the left.

This shot shows how clever the post-box has been to leap several yards south. SJ

Abby tows Alfie back to her apartment block when his car won't start after a playful car chase. Lords View on St John's Wood Road NW8.

'Owzat for little change. SJ

Getting out of her Spitfire, Abby walks back towards Alfie. Outside Lord's View.

Bit of filling in here though along with some gardening. SJ

The cocky philanderer gets what he wants when Abby asks him inside. Lord's View stands opposite Lord's Cricket Ground in St John's Wood.

And this is where Price's car has taken root. SJ

Following a disastrous evening, Alfie finds Abby at work in Hyde Park. The Pergola, or new Serpentine, Restaurant off Serpentine Road, south of Serpentine Bridge in Hyde Park, London W2.

Roughly where this much-missed Pergola was. SJ

Alfie watches the Travel World editor direct a photo-shoot. The Pergola Restaurant featured in 'Two Gentlemen Sharing', 'Robbery', 'Diamonds for Breakfast' and 'Theatre of Blood' before being demolished in 1989.

Looking onto the main road through Hyde Park. SJ

After persuading Abby to walk with him, Alfie apologises, telling her that he's never met anyone like her before. This is Hyde Park's Long Water with Serpentine Bridge in the background.

The same location taken by Peter.

Abby watches as Alfie's kinder side shows through when he rescues a young boy's boat from the water. Alongside Long Water with the tower of Hyde Park Barracks in the left distance.

Peter found that the swans wanting feeding.

Back on the road in France, Alfie has a ploy worked out to enable him to meet up with Abby.

Before collecting a hire car, Alfie calls the boss to tell him that the lorry has broken down.

Alfie drives to Honfleur at the mouth of the River Seine. This is looking across Le Claire towards the Old Pier from Quai Sainte-Etienne in Honfleur, Normandy.

The view today (SR)

Getting out of the car, Alfie spots Abby across the small harbour. The Old Pier off Quai Sainte-Catherine.

Zooming in, we see changes in the background building. (SR)

Abby stands up from her table and waves at Alfie. In the background stands Café de l'Hôtel de Ville at the corner of Quai Saint-Etienne and Rue Geneviève Seydoux in Honfleur. More of the commune appears in 'That Woman Opposite'.

The Café de l'Hôtel de Ville standing out in bright red today. (SR)

As the couple embrace and walk together the camera pulls back to reveal a panorama of La Claire. The old harbour is surrounded by Quai Sainte-Etienne and Quai Sainte-Catherine in Honfleur, Normandy.

Today's view from ground level. (SR)

Back in London, the Photographer prepares to take a shot of the happy couple at Bakey and Gloria's wedding. Rowington Close in Paddington W2 with Dartington House as the backdrop.

The north-east end of Dartington House taken on Rowington Close. SJ

A steel band provides the music outside the church. The background is filled by St. Mary Magdalene church.

The sign has since moved: a much-loved location. SJ

Alfie and Abby congratulate the newly weds as Gloria (Minah Bird) smiles at her husband. Rowington Close, Paddington.

Down there was an interior for Les Misérables (qv). SJ

Rather than have them catch the train, Alfie offers to drive Bakey and Gloria to their honeymoon on the south coast. Rowington Close in W2 with St. Mary Magdalene school in the right background.

Now. SJ

The guests wave as the four set off for Brighton. Rowington Close in Paddington with St. Mary Magdalene church on the right. The location was seen in 'The Blue Lamp', 'Innocent Meeting', 'Billy Liar' and 'Secret Ceremony'.

And also 'The Boys', 'Spare the Rod', 'Violent Playground', 'The End of the Affair (1999)' and 'Doctor Sleep'. Very popular indeed. SJ

It's three in the morning when Alfie runs from the hotel after Abby leaves. The entrance to the Hotel Metropole on King's Road, Brighton in East Sussex. The location was seen in 'Genevieve'.

A daytime shot of the Hilton Brighton Metropole entrance now. SD

Abby's taxi disappears into the night. Facing east on King's Road in Brighton with the multi-coloured Roto-Sphere to the right of centre.

A dull and wet daytime shot. The Roto-Sphere and most of the lights have now gone. SD

Outside his flat, Norma (Sheila White) speaks with neighbour Claire (Annie Ross) while Abby visits the bedridden lothario. Through the window of Gaydon House to the extreme right is the church of St. Mary Magdalene.

Taken from ground level. SJ

After being cured of his back injury by Claire, Alfie hurries to Heathrow Airport to catch Abby before she flies out to Rome. Outside the Queen's Building with Terminal 1 in the background. The location was seen in 'Quest for Love' and other parts of the airport appear in other productions including 'The V.I.P.'s', ‘Time Without Pity’ and ‘I Could Go on Singing'.

Alfie heads to the observation deck. C. Chanbars advises that this is inside the now demolished Terminal One at Heathrow Airport in Hounslow, Greater London. The Escalator once led from the Domestic Arrivals area to the Domestic Baggage reclaim area below.

Calling down to Abby that he'll meet her when she returns, she shouts back that she loves him. Heathrow's observation deck was seen in 'Three Hats for Lisa'.

The following day, Alfie leaves his flat and takes time to play a little football before setting off to meet Abby. The entrance to Gaydon House on Bourne Terrace W2 with the Westway in the distance. The area was also seen in 'The Strange Affair', 'The Sandwich Man' and 'Robbery'.

Westway barely visible as the trees have exploded in growth. SJ

Alfie drives through town on the way to the airport. Looking towards Bruton Lane from Berkeley Square in London's Mayfair. The square was also seen in 'Go to Blazes', '11 Harrowhouse' and 'A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square'.

Peter provides this comparison.

A Traffic Warden eyes Alfie's car as he parks before entering a florist. Berkeley Square in W1. The building with Moyses Stevens florist on the ground floor, has since been demolished and replaced.

The same redeveloped plot taken by Peter.

Feeling really happy, Alfie gives a flower to the Traffic Warden before driving away. Berkeley Square once again.

Peter found the same trees in this more up to date view.

Hearing a radio news report about an air crash, Alfie pulls up outside a newsagent. 106 Horseferry Road SW1, looking west. (SR)

Looking west close to the intersection with Regency Street. This area was also seen in Innocent Sinners and The Dog and the Diamonds. SJ

Alfie reads the newspaper to discover more about the flight to Rome that crashed in Kent on the previous evening. 106 Horseferry Road. (SR)

Now a well established estate agent's on the corner of Arenway Street. SJ