Ask a Policeman

Jerry Harbottle (Moore Marriott) shakes dust from a rug outside his shop in the village of Turnbotham Round. A studio set included for completeness.

Sergeant Samuel Dudfoot (Will Hay) and Albert Brown (Graham Moffatt) prepare to stop a car. David Grayer advises that this is along a bridle path off Shenley Lane in London Colney near St. Albans in Hertfordshire.

David took this comparison shot from a similar position.

The speed limit signs are repositioned to make it easier to calculate the speed of vehicles. Facing in the opposite direction on the bridle path off Shenley Road, London Colney.

David Grayer provides this image with the same buildings discernible in the distance.

Whilst escaping from a Headless Horseman driving a flaming hearse, Sergeant Dudfoot reverses the police car into the Squire's driveway. The distinctive brickwork helped to identify this location which David Hizzey identifies as the entrance gates to Barrowhills on Longcross Road at Longcross in Surrey. The gateway has long been bricked up and is overgrown but the wall still exists.

The Headless Horseman follows the police car. The entrance gates to Barrowhills at Longcross found by David Hizzey who adds that his parents were living locally when filming took place. The manor house at Barrowhills is now part of Longcross studios.

After discovering that the Headless Horseman is part of a smugglers gang, the three inept officers steal a bus to chase after their lorry. What appears to be a curve of the roof to the top left and the offset London Transport lettering above the door suggest that this may be an aircraft hangar.

The lorry travels on with Sergeant Dudfoot, Harbottle and Albert following in the bus. Facing north on Hare Lane, Claygate, Surrey.

Robin Wareham sends this shot to replace Nick Hall's Google Streetview. (RL)

Police officers alert headquarters about the stolen bus travelling through the Weybridge area. Hare Lane in Claygate near Esher, Surrey.

The same place. Robin also provides this shot to replace the Google Streetview. (RL)

The lorry slows as it passes through town. Dave W has found this to be Notting Hill Gate, with 'Maynards' at No 94 and just out of sight to the right is the Midland Bank at No 92, on the corner with Pembridge Road. (RL)

With all the changes and much busier roads one is very limited as to where a ground level shot can be taken. (RL)

The bus is stopped at a traffic light where passengers begin to board. Whilst in the area Dave found this one, the Porchester Road junction with Bishop's Bridge Road and Hope Bros. Ltd, Outfitters, to the left at 82 to 86a Bishop's Bridge Road. (RL)

As the smugglers head back into countryside, the bus picks up the trail. Nick Hall identifies this location as looking east on High Street, Dorking in Surrey.

Mark Alford found that the building survives.

When a police road block is seen ahead, the lorry is driven through a gateway. This appears to be the entrance to Brooklands Race Track on Brooklands Road, Byfleet in Surrey.

Sergeant Dudfoot and his men follow the lorry onto a race circuit. Brooklands Race Track in Surrey, various parts of which are seen in 'A Fire Has Been Arranged', 'The Rake's Progress', 'Death Is a Number', 'The Dam Busters', 'Death Drives Through' and 'Q Planes'.

I don't know which part of the circuit the screen capture was taken but its use for the film is recorded at the circuit. The notice goes on to say "Allegedly, one of the main buildings in the Brooklands complex was used to house the bus during filming and the upper part of the doorway had to be cut away to allow for the extra height. The building is labelled "LBB MOTORS LTD" and is visible today."

With passengers still on board, the bus is driven towards the smuggler's lorry. The now redeveloped circuit hosted it's last race in 1939 and part remains as the Brooklands Museum.

A part of the circuit that is currently accessible. (RL)

After crashing the bus into the lorry, the Sergeant, Harbottle and Albert run to escape arrest. Brooklands Race Track, Byfleet in Surrey.

The circuit was built in 9 months with, the Chairman of Brooklands says, very poor quality concrete. (RL)

Dave W provides this additional screen capture of another chase, particularly, as this provides an excellent historic glimpse of Porchester Road. Next to the bus stop 'E W Thompson' Antiques was at No 18 according to Kelly's Directory 1933, however, they are not listed in the 1939 Directory and indeed they do look closed in this capture. The terrace of shops on this east side was lost in WWII. The terrace on the west side is still with us in similar style. (RL)