Band Wagon
Date: 1940
Director: Marcel Varnel
Production Company: Gainsborough Pictures
Stars: Arthur Askey, Jack Hylton and his Band, Richard Murdoch, Pat Kirkwood, Moore Marriott, Freddy Schweitzer, Bruce Trent
Location(s): London, Surrey
Region(s): London A-B, South East A-D
Storyline:
Evicted from the roof of Broadcasting House, Arthur Askey and Richard Stinker Murdoch move into Droon Castle in Sussex. Not realising that the television equipment they discover is in use by German secret agents they do the obvious thing – put on a show.
Additional Information:
Screen captures and comparison shots 1 to 4 by James Churcher and photographer Chris Churcher and all uploaded by Richard Lovejoy.
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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.
- Capture 1
- 09 Oct 2018
The location is set, Broadcasting House, Langham Place, London W1 which appears in many films including ‘You Made Me Love You’, ‘Death at Broadcasting House’, ‘Once a Jolly Swagman’, ‘The Day the Earth Caught Fire’, ‘Band Wagon’, ‘No Trace’, ‘The Happy Family’, ‘Mother Riley Meets the Vampire’, ‘The Oracle’, ‘The Voice of Merrill’ and ‘Give My Regards To Broad Street’ with this sequence being used in 'Back Room Boy', another film in which Arthur Askey appeared.
A cleaner view in all respects.
- Capture 2
- 09 Oct 2018
Just in case there is any doubt as to it being the home of the BBC. A Studio set included for completeness
The real one.
- Capture 3
- 09 Oct 2018
Big Hearted Arthur (Arthur Askey) and Stinker Murdoch (Richard Murdoch) are evicted from their rooftop existence and leave in their car by grabbing a tow from the Governor’s Rolls Royce. Upper Regent Street, London with Mortimer Street off to the right.
At least some buildings remain to frame the shot.
- Capture 4
- 09 Oct 2018
Into Piccadilly Circus with Regent Street going off to the top left.
Pedestrianisation and Eros being moved has rather changed the view. With added thanks to Alex Gleason who also contributed to this shot.
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
And out into the country. The signpost says ‘Footpath to Westcott’ . . . . which is in Buckinghamshire. Anthony Spencer tells us that there is indeed a Westcott in Buckinghamshire, near Waddesdon, but there is also one in Surrey . . . . on the A25 a short distance west of Dorking.
- Capture 6
- 'Now' required
Up a hill until the tow breaks. Ranmore Common Road to the north of Dorking in Surrey located by Anthony Spencer.
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
Having lost their tow the Rolls carries on without them, and the film carries on in the studio. Anthony Spencer identifies this as facing east on Ranmore Common Road with the church spire of St. Barnabas at Ranmore in the right distance.