Barber of Stamford Hill, The

Date: 1963
Director: Casper Wrede
Production Company: Ben Arbeid Productions

Stars: John Bennett, Megs Jenkins, Maxwell Shaw
Location(s): London

Region(s):

Storyline:

A barber who is fond of telling customers about his imaginary family is a bachelor with few friends.

Additional Information:

Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson

This film is viewable on BFI Player for free at The Barber of Stamford Hill

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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
  • 21 Dec 2020

Mr. Figg (John Bennett) leaves his Stamford Hill barbershop with assistant Willy (Trevor Peacock) after an afternoon telling his customers jokes and entertaining them with stories about his family. The shop stands just south of Ravensdale Road on Stamford Hill in N16.

After pondering for a good while, I think I got the right shop fronts. (PW)

  • Capture 2
  • 21 Dec 2020

Just along the street, Mr. Figg hurries towards a bus that is just departing. Stamford Hill with The Turnpike House public house at the corner of Ravensdale Road to the right and the towers of St. Ignatius church in the top left distance.

Bus stop, pub and parade of shops are joined by a litter bin. (PW)

  • Capture 3
  • 21 Dec 2020

Mr. Figg jumps onto the platform of the number 67 bus as it moves slowly from the stop. Stamford Hill with the since demolished Watkins House in the right background.

The replacement development. (PW)

  • Capture 4
  • 21 Dec 2020

As the traffic ahead begins to move, the bus speeds up. Stamford Hill N16 with the cupola of the Skinner's Company's School for Girls beyond Holmwood Court on the extreme left.

A clearer view of the road now. (PW)

  • Capture 5
  • 21 Dec 2020

The number 67 carries the barber towards Aldgate East station. The junction formed by Shoreditch High Street, Great Eastern Street and Commercial Street in E1.

The same junction from ground level. (PW)

  • Capture 6
  • 'Now' required

And there's the sign pointing the way.

  • Capture 7
  • 21 Dec 2020

At a Fruiterers stall, lemons are purchased for 2/-. Outside the entrance of Whitechapel station on Whitechapel Road in E1. The station frontage can also be seen in 'The Small World of Sammy Lee' and 'The Informers' . . . .

. . . but it can't be seen very well here! (PW)

  • Capture 8
  • 21 Dec 2020

Carrying his fruit, Mr. Figg moves away from the market. Facing north-east on Whitechapel Road with the Lord Rodney's Head public house to the top left, which closed in 2004.

More fabric than fruit and veg on sale today. (PW)

  • Capture 9
  • 'Now' required

After buying a selection of cheeses, Mr. Figg heads home. Facing Mile End Road from Jubilee Street in E1 identified by Mick Lemmerman who adds that the site in now occupied by O'Leary Square.

  • Capture 10
  • 21 Dec 2020

The corner of Redman's Road and Oley Place in Stepney E1.

No corner here now. (PW)

  • Capture 11
  • 21 Dec 2020

Holding the ingredients for supper in his arms, Mr. Figg crosses and walks along the terraced street. The long lost Oley Place which was cleared with the site now occupied by Stepney Green.

Stepney Green in full use. (PW)

  • Capture 12
  • 21 Dec 2020

A prefab is passed at a corner. The prefab is number 19 Oley Place and the corner turns to become Tillotson Street.

The only numbers here now are on the backs of the footballers. (PW)

  • Capture 13
  • 21 Dec 2020

Mr. Figg turns into the street where he lives. The corner of Oley Place and Tillotson Street in Stepney . . . .

. . . now part of the lawns on Stepney Green. (PW)

  • Capture 14
  • 21 Dec 2020

Stooping to pick up the milk, the barber enters his tiny bedsit where he lights the Sabbath candles and prepares food while waiting for his mute friend Dober to arrive. Continuity and a later frame make this out to be the back entrance to number 27 Diggon Street on Tillotson Street.

Looking the same way from a similar position. (PW)

  • Capture 15
  • 21 Dec 2020

Disheartened at still being single, Mr. Figg walks out, leaving Dober in the flat. Latimer Street E1 with Stepney Way crossing the background.

Stepney Way still crosses in the background. (PW)

  • Capture 16
  • 21 Dec 2020

The frustrated 50 year old reaches the house of widow Mrs. Werner with a view to woo her. The window of number 33 Latimer Street appears to the right.

No wooing when I arrived on the scene just over 57 years later. (PW)

  • Capture 17
  • 21 Dec 2020

Leaving Mrs. Werner and her incessant chatter, Mr. Figg returns home to his empty home where Dober soon joins him. Looking east on Tillotson Street with the Red Coat Secondary School in the left distance, a shop at 16 Copley Street to the extreme left and a lamp post on the corner of Diggon Street to the centre.

Facing the same direction from approximately the same spot. (PW)