Attempt to Kill (An Edgar Wallace Mystery)

Date: 1961
Director: Royston Morley
Production Company: Jack Greenwood and Jim O'Connolly

Stars: Tony Wright, Richard Pearson, Freda Jackson, J.G.Devlin, Patricia Mort, Derk Farr
Location(s): Berkshire, London, Oxfordshire

Region(s): ,

Storyline:

A wealthy business man fires one of his employees and becomes the victim of a murder attempt. The fired man becomes the prime suspect, but it appears that he himself has been murdered.

Sound Track:

Listen to the Edgar Wallace Mysteries theme tune whilst viewing the screen captures

Additional Information:

Screen captures and uncredited now shots uploaded by Richard Lovejoy

This film forms part of the Edgar Wallace Mysteries – Volume 2

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If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.

We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.

A large white house fronted by a large lawn

The home of Frank Weyman (Richard Pearson) who has recently fired an employee, an attempt on his life is made in the boat house. Richard Marum identifies this as the White House on Bolney Road in Lower Shiplake, Oxfordshire.

The property now, as seen from the Thames, taken by Richard.

A police car pulls off the Victoria Embankment to enter Scotland Yard setting the scene that the police are to investigate the attempt on Frank’s life.

Now very much the place to park tourist coaches.

D.I. Minter (Derek Farr) and Sgt. Bennett (Clifford Earl) make their way to Weymans home. The same footage was used in "Man at the Carlton Tower".

Scotalnd Yard from the Victoria Embankment

Seems appropriate therefore to use the same "now" shot.

A police car partly obscured by an ordinary saloon turning out of Piccadilly into Piccadilly Circus

Via Piccadilly Circus, corner of Piccadilly and Lower Regent Street, London W1

A car exiting Piccadilly to enter Piccadilly Circus with the southern side of Piccadilly corner with Lower Regent Street in the background.

A moment without a bus of some size or shape obscuring the scene.

A police car turning off Piccadilly Circus, backed by the statue of Eros, into Regent Street

Turning up into Regent Street, London W1

I was lucky to capture the scene with such minimal traffic.

Weyman’s friend Gerry Hamilton (Tony Wright), who witnessed the employee being fired and threatening Frank sees a police car pull up and ask a local “bobby” for directions. High Street, Cookham, Berkshire

Two Victorian cottages amid two small timber framed shop premises.

The Blue Plaque to Sir Stanley Spencer is certainly part of the changes.

  • 'Now' required
A large white house with a sweeping drive and a police car pulling up at the front.

The police arrive at the front of the house. Richard Marum advises that the Grade II listed White House at Lower Shiplake was designed by George Walton and built in 1908.

Following their interviewing Frank and the staff, Minter and Bennett make their way to the local police station. High Street, Cookham. Also seen in "Operation Diplomat".

Once again that free two hour parking proved invaluable.

  • 'Now' required
A man approaching the side entrance up some steps of a large white house in grounds.

The sacked employee Fraser calls and is turned away by the housekeeper but he enters by a side door.

  • 'Now' required

Whilst rifling the Frank’s desk, Frank returns.

Two men exiting a doorway that has the word "Police" on signboards either side

As Bennett and Minter leave the police station........ High Street, Cookham. It would seem that this was a Weslyan Chapel at the time of filming.

What is now the entry to the Sir Stanley Spencer Gallery is out of the shot and the new glass doors firmly closed.

……they see Gerry filling Frank’s secretary’s car.

And it is still a garage.

  • 'Now' required

Minter arranges to meet with Frazer in a Mr Elliott’s (J.G.Devlin) garage but finds him dead and a further attempt is made on Frank’s life in the boathouse. Minter and Frank walk by the water to discuss.

  • 'Now' required

As they walk Gerry Hamilton approaches showing off how to steer a boat.

  • 'Now' required
Two men under an pointed porch leaving a front door to an awaiting black motor car

Minter and Bennett leave Elliott’s house after interviewing him about his relationship with Fraser. Outside the Boat house, part of Park Place in Remenham, Berkshire identified by Richard Marum.

  • 'Now' required
A view down a quite steep hill to a house that is on the side of a river.

The pair drive away. The Boat House and its driveway seen from Conway Bridge on the road from Henley to Wargrave in Berkshire located by Richard Marum.

Two men talking between the gate posts of a terraced house with the number 2 on the right hand post.

Minter and Bennett visit the estranged Mrs Weyman, “in Reading”. Thameside, Henley On Thames, Oxon This property has perhaps been absorbed into re-development.

Simon Finch is able to reassure us that 2 Riverside, Henley on Thames has not been subject to redevelopment and provides this Google Earth View to confirm. (RL)

They drive off to pursue their inquiries. Thames Side, Henley On Thames.

The road was far too busy these days for Malcolm Tinnelly to replicate the camera position but he nevertheless managed to capture the scene now. A number of properties between the church and bridge remain despite the passage of years but that kiosk by the slight left/right kink in road appears to be no more.

A man helping a girl into a speed boat against the background of a large lawn and house.

Gerry delivers Frank’s new boat in which he takes his secretary Elisabeth Gray (Patricia Mort) for a trip leaving Det. Insp. Minter on shore with Gerry. Following a further attempt on Frank’s life events get resolved. Seen from the River Thames, This is the White House in Lower Shiplake, Oxfordshire located by Richard Marum.

An extension and alterations can be seen to the right is Richard's comparison.