Amelia and the Angel

Accompanied by the sound of a polyphone, the Narrator tells a story . . . "Once upon a time, there were five little angels in an end of term play. Amelia, Margaret, Mary, Rosemary and Jane. And this is the story of Amelia, the least angelic of them all." As children leave their classes at the end of the schoolday, Amelia and the other angels take off their costumes following rehearsals. Mentioned during the titles, this is likely to be one of the earlier buildings of St. Anne's school which stands between Kennington Road and Harleyford Road in SE11.

As four of the angels head home, Amelia returns to the school hall. "She knew it was wrong. Miss May the dancing teacher distinctly said "Children, whatever you do don't spoil your wings. There's not a single pair more to be found this side of Heaven."" The gatepost gives this away as looking onto Kennington Road from the entry at the side of St. Anne's church in Vauxhall with numbers 344 and 342 across the street.

A very useful unchanged gatepost. SJ

Avoiding enquiring dogs and cats Amelia slips away unnoticed, stealing the wings home to show her mother, even though she would be seeing them the following evening. Again, St. Anne's school behind St. Anne's church in SE11.

Amelia (Mercedes Quadros) reaches the station. South Kensington station at the junction of Old Brompton Road, Onslow Square and Pelham Street in SW7. The station’s exterior also features in ‘Something in the City’, ‘Repulsion’, 'Das Geheimnis der gelben Narzissen' and ‘The Crying Game’.

The layout of the road has changed. (PW)

Amelia descends onto the platform to catch the train home. The stairs down onto Platforms 2 and 3 at South Kensington station.

A redesign of the stairway at some point is apparent. (PW)

This appears to be looking across South Kensington station from the original Platform 1.

John Harwood couldn't gain access to platform 1 but wondered whether this, looking across the other platforms from 2, would suffice. (SJ)

Amelia's train reaches her stop. Facing east on Platform 2 at South Kensington station with the rear of number 52 Thurloe Square in the top of centre background.

The former Platform 1 became disused some years ago. (PW)

The young girl makes her way to the street. The sign to the top reads “Way Out and Central Line Station” and this is the temporary exit past hoardings from the District Line’s Notting Hill Gate station during reconstruction of the area. The background building across the road is the Central Line station.

At the zebra crossing outside the station, a Policeman stops traffic for pedestrians. Facing west on Notting Hill Gate with the corner of Pembridge Road in the right background.

I managed to step into the middle of Notting Hill Gate for this shot for a reasonably decent match of United House on the corner of Pembridge Road. SJ

After crossing the road, Amelia continues her journey home. Again, looking west along Notting Hill Gate with the construction site above the District Line station to the top left and the dome of the Gaumont Theatre beyond.

I stepped slightly to the left to incorporate the dome. SJ

Sitting on his tricycle, a Boy spots the pair of wings. Linden Gardens W2 with the wall of number 7 as the background.

Slightly marred by the foreground. SJ

The young lad follows Amelia to her front door. "To Amelia, all boys were horrid little beasts. And he brother was the most horrid of all." Facing south on Linden Gardens with number 28 to the left.

The east side of the street with one tree fewer. SJ

After she rings the bell, the front door is opened by her Brother. Looking from 30 Linden Gardens in W2 with numbers 25 and 27 in the right distance.

I was a door out in Aug '22 so here's a correction. SJ

Taking the angel wings, Amelia’s Brother (Nicholas O'Brien) runs from the house. Outside 28 Linden Gardens looking towards the junction with Notting Hill Gate and Palace Gardens Terrace in the right distance.

A slight shift to capture the same utility cover in the pavement. SJ

Children at the nearby park watch Amelia's Brother as he pretends to fly around the play area. Ray continues his work with 'Amelia' telling us that this is the playground in the NW corner of Kensington Gardens, London W2 with the top of 'Caroline House' in the background. (RL)

The angel wings are taken for a ride on the bench swing. The same location as Capture 15 follows says Ray but now with Kensington Palace Gardens in the background. (RL)

A view of Kensington Palace Gardens from just outside the playground which is heavily enclosed by greenery. SJ

After playing on the slide, Amelia's Brother runs through the swings. The same as the previous captures but this time with Bayswater Road in the background. (RL)

A general view of the playground looking north to Bayswater Road. SJ

Realising that her Brother has taken the wings Amelia looks from her bedroom balcony to see him return, hiding a mess of bedraggled feathers behind his back. Looking up at the balcony of number 30 Linden Gardens.

No change here. SJ

Taking 2/11d from the savings box at home, Amelia visits an antique shop to see if she can buy a replacement pair of wings. 295 Westbourne Grove in London W11.

Paul Lincoln found the shop still dealing in antiques but no longer trading their wares from the pavement. (RL)

To check that an old hat suits her, a Lady looks in a mirror as Amelia walks away after the Proprietress tells her there's no demand for angel wings these days. Facing east on Westbourne Grove with Denbigh House to the left.

It is clearly evident why Paul couldn't take the shot from the pavement. (RL)

Clutching the money in her hand, Amelia makes her way through a street market. To the left stands The Colville public house at the corner of Portobello Road and Talbot Road in W11. Since 2016 the pub has been known as The Ginstitute and has a gin distillery in the basement. The building features in 'The Moon Over the Alley'.

This shot from Paul would suggest that the premises has had a further name change. (RL)

With the evening's performance drawing nearer, Amelia tries her luck in a market where she finds a rag and bone stall. Bernard Black found that this is looking towards Notting Hill Gate from Palace Gardens Mews in W11. The thoroughfare was diverted and this section was demolished, probably during the 1958 reconstruction of the area.

Bernard provided a '21 GEV capture as evidence in March '24, showing that the background premises are now occupied by Gourmet Sushi, Mail Boxes Etc and the Royal Trinity Hospice. And this replacement shows no change. SJ

Having been offered a tiny pair of wings which were totally unsuitable Amelia begins to lose heart. Facing south on Farquhar Road in London SE19 with the wall of Crystal Palace High Level station to the left.

Nick Andrews captured the scene now.

Just ahead, Amelia spots a dog wearing wings. The gateway on Farquhar Road that leads to the northernmost footbridge across Crystal Palace High Level station.

Thinking "Where there are some wings, there might be others" Amelia follows the dog as it disappears through a gateway into a disused railway station. Looking out onto Farquhar Road from the station entrance.

A good match by Nick Andrews.

"Rock the Wonder Dog" crosses the old station's concourse. Nick Andrews suggested this short for inclusion on ReelStreets after recognising the, by then disused, Crystal Palace High Level railway station.

Continuity goes astray as Amelia appears at the south end concourse of the station. The exterior of the Crystal Palace High Level station can be seen in 'The Pleasure Garden'.

At the other end of the station, Mike Sniver (Míka van Bloemen) appears, searching for his dog “Rock”. This landing is at the north end of Crystal Palace High Level station.

The worried circus entertainer looks up and down the platform. The north end of Platform 4. The station was opened in 1865 by the Crystal Palace and South London Junction Railway.

"Rock" runs towards his master who picks him up before dancing for joy. Nick Andrews locates this as looking north along Platform 4 at Crystal Palace High Level, the terminus at the end of the branch line from Nunhead.

Nick captured the view now from a similar location on Spinney Gardens.

Amelia makes her way towards Mike as he is reunited with his dog. The south end of Platform 4 at Crystal Palace High Level. After being temporarily closed during the First and Second World Wars, the station closed for good in September 1954.

Mike carries “Rock the Wonder Dog” along the platform. Crystal Palace High Level station identified by Nick Andrews.

Amelia tries to catch up with the duo before they leave the station. Platform 4 at Crystal Palace High Level station found by Nick Andrews. The station was demolished in 1961 and Bowley Close now occupies the site.

Nick Andrews advises that this is the portal of Paxton Tunnel which remains to the north of where Crystal Palace High Level station once stood.

In Nick Andrews's shot it appears that there has been some restoration work to the decorative stonework around the arch.

Following Mike and "Rock" towards the tunnel, Amelia picks her way along the track. Nick Andrews advises that above the retaining wall to the left lies Crystal Palace Parade.

Nick Andrews returned to the north end of the station site.

When things go wrong as Mike and "Rock" rehearse their act, the young girl approaches to see if the pair are alright. Nick Andrews tells us that Homes on Bowley Lane and Spinney Gardens now stand on the land between the station and Paxton Tunnel.

Malcolm Tinnelly revisited the location, now part of Spinney Gardens.

Mike waves to Amelia as she leaves after he can't help with large angel wings. Paxton Tunnel to the north of Crystal Palace High Level station in SE19.

A final view of the tunnel's south portal by Nick Andrews.

A Little Girl tells Amelia about the angel in the park. Linden Gardens in W2, outside number 73 to the right with number 27 in the background.

The postbox has grown. The original was also seen in "The Narrowing Circle." SJ

Making her way to the park, Amelia approaches the angel. The paving around the Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens SW7.

This is from the centre looking south but this pattern goes round the lot. SJ

Disappointment grows when Amelia discovers that the angel is made of stone. The now lost Henry Fawcett Memorial located in Vauxhall Park SW8 which also appears in ‘Look Back in Anger’ from 1959, the year that its destruction was approved.

About here, I reckon. SJ

Almost unnoticed by Amelia as she sits under a tree, an Artist's Model (Helen Ulman) trots past carrying a large pair of wings. Ray Glenister has taken research to the extent that he really should be in the secret service. This is Kensington Palace Gardens, the tree was probably lost during the storm that swept Southern England in 1987, but the location, + or - a second or two, was 51 degrees 30' 16" N and 0 degrees 10' 33" W looking East. No excuses from whoever decides to take the comparative shot! (RL)

Given a coordinate minute or two and the presence of new plantings it looks about right. (RL)

Amelia jumps up and follows the Model through the trees before she passes a statue. The statue Ray says is 'Physical Energy' in Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, London, also seen in 'Ring of Spies'. (RL)

George Frederic Watts took a break from painting for this fine effort, placed on Lancaster Walk halfway between the Round Pond and Long Water. SJ

After losing sight of her, the 'angel' is spotted again. The steps of the Albert Memorial, officially named the Prince Consort National Memorial, in Kensington Gardens with “Europe” to the bottom left.

Had I been able to be higher and avoided the railings I would have also avoided the bystander. (RL)

Amelia chases the Model between fountains. The Italian Gardens in Kensington Gardens W2. The location also features in a number of other productions including The Big Sleep, Astonished Heart, Two Gentlemen Sharing, Trottie True, Carve Her Name with Pride and Wimbledon.

One should be lower but then again ... SJ

The wings leave the park. Queen’s Gate on Kensington Road SW7 leading from Kensington Gardens with buildings at the corner of Queen’s Gate in the right background.

I am happy with this one anyway. (RL)

Amelia follows the 'angel' onto the main road. The steps of the Albert Memorial in SW7.

The north-east corner of the memorial. SJ

The Model hurries on to her appointment. Burning the midnight oil for Ray Glenister proved to be most productive, for he found this to be Camden Road, London N7, looking NE with the corner of Dalmeny Avenue on the left. The clock of the Athenaeum building is just visible above the head of the 'angel'. This building was later demolished to make way for a Petrol Filling Station. (RL)

Denis Hoare took this shot from almost outside No. 350 Camden Road, and although there's much more foliage, one can still make out the red sign of the aforementioned petrol station/garage. (RL)

Bumping into a Passer-by, Amelia's money is knocked from her hand. Consequent to finding the previous capture Ray says that this is also Camden Road, looking NE. Amelia bumps into the man probably outside No. 249. The white house on the top right is No.328 (RL)

Denis bumped into nobody outside where 249 would have been, he found that today it's been replaced by a modern block of flats, as have the houses across the road. (RL)

Coins fall onto the pavement. To complete the trio Ray places this, once again in Camden Road with the pennies hitting the pavement a little further down the road, probably outside No. 241. Opposite are houses 306 to 318. (RL)

Whilst Ray thought that the capture was "probably" outside No. 241 looking across Camden Road where flats now replace the houses, Denis was reassured that he was in the right place, when, if you look closely, a couple of coins are still there on the pavement. A passing police van substitutes for the truck in the original capture. (RL)

Picking up the money, Amelia looks along the empty street on which trolleybus wires stretch into the distance. The corner of Camden Road and Middleton Grove in N7.

The trolleybus wires have now long gone, and the red telephone box is now replaced with a yellow bin. That's progress Denis. (RL)

Reaching a gateway, Amelia finds a feather on the pavement. Looking out onto Camden Road from the steps of number 350.

Having climbed the stairs Denis found that handrails have been added to the stairs. (RL)

Walking up to the front door of an Artist's house, Amelia enters. Number 350 Camden Road N7.

Denis was re-assured to find that thankfully, there still exists some of the old houses with character, feeling that this zoomed in photo doesn't really do this one justice. (RL)

With a beaming smile, Amelia holds onto her new angel wings as she runs. Remaining in Kensington Gardens, Ray places this as a happy Amelia running along the southern end of the Broad Walk in Kensington Gardens. Behind her is the Palace Gate entrance and the 58-59 Hyde Park Gate residence. (RL)

Taken just in front of the bench Jeremy Irons sleeps on in Moonlighting. SJ