Barnacle Bill
Date: 1957
Director: Charles Frend
Production Company: Ealing Studios
Stars: Alec Guinness, Harry Locke, Frederick Piper, Fred Griffiths, Gerald Case, William Mervyn, John Horsey, Derek Waring, Donald Pleasence, Newton Blick, Irene Browne, Percy Herbert, Victor Maddern, Harold Goodwin, Junia Crawford
Location(s): London, Norfolk
Region(s): London A-B, South East A-D
Storyline:
A retired Navy Captain who suffers with seasickness takes command of a rundown amusement pier to the objection of the local council.
Additional Information:
Following the receipt of background information and support material from Nigel Haverly and being one of the early films included in our listings it became apparent that it required to be re-visited. During March 2019 Richard Lovejoy updated the entry with additional screen captures and revised captions.
Nigel’s location detail and photographs can be viewed here.
Also known as also known as ‘All at Sea’ (US Title)
Bruce Palmer writes:
I was there at Hunstanton’s Cinema when the film was shown to the locals for the first time in the cinema on the Green shown in the screen grab. I remember seeing the steps cut into the cliffs for the shot when Alec Guinness sees the pier for the first time…..actually facing the wrong way, but done specially. They weathered away over the years but I haven’t been back since 1990.
I knew some of the locals, we used to stay with a Mr Lawson for our holidays for years but weren’t there for the actual filming. He was an ex chauffeur at Sandringham pre war and a staff car driver in WW2. He met his hard bitten German wife Lisa in Berlin. Her first husband ran a Taxi and garage business but vanished during the war. But when I first met them they were running a similar one in Hunstanton as well as a guest house complete with Rolls Royce Taxi, there is a story to that. Two of the nicest people I’ve ever known.
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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
- 'Now' required
Establishing shot outside Lloyds Building, London, looking down Leadenhall Street towards St Paul's in the distance. As of March 2019 a "now" shot is totally impossible as all the road in the capture is currently being dug up.
- Capture 2
- 30 Jul 2017
Having been awarded the Lloyd’s Medal for bravery Captain William Horatio Ambrose (Alec Guinness) exits the Lloyds Building and makes it clear to all the reporters that he has promised his story exclusively to the 'Sandcastle Mercury'. Lloyds of London building entrance. Leadenhall Street, London EC3
The same refurbished entrance on Leadenhall Street EC3 captured by Peter.
- Capture 3
- 30 Jul 2017
He strides across the road oblivious of all traffic that is forced to grind to a halt. Eastcheap, London EC3
The WWI and WWII memorial plaques appear in Peter's wider shot of the location.
- Capture 4
- 17 May 2019
He meets with the reporter from the ‘Sandcastle Mercury’ (Harry Locke) in a pub where he tells the nautical history of his family and himself. “Since the dawn of time the family have always moved in nautical circles”
Martin Skipper cannot be certain, but this is Wells-next-the Sea, just along the coast from Hunstanton. It certainly makes sense and a remarkable similarity if not. (RL)
- Capture 5
- 18 Mar 2022
“Armada!”….”All through history on every great naval occasion we have made our presence felt”. The Esplanade Gardens, Hunstanton. (SD)
The distinctive mound on the left was the clue I needed. (SD)
- Capture 6
- 09 Nov 2025
“I was posted to HMS Standfast, the training ship in the Midlands”. Nile Lodge, 45 Queen's Walk, London W5. (SR)
William Macintyre explains that Nile Lodge was home to the Capitanio Sisters, Italian Roman Catholic missionaries from 1959 until 2022 when the last seven nuns left the UK. Developers are currently turning the lodge into 110 studio apartments for sale and the site is surrounded by high steel fencing. "I got this shot when a gate was briefly opened."
- Capture 7
- 22 May 2016
The pub landlord calls time and once again Captain Ambrose walks blindly across the road now clutching his barrel of rum. Followed by the reporter they manage to resume drinking in his bank branch opposite. 17 Eastcheap, London EC3. The location of the 'The Falstaff' public house was originally found by Greg.
After 7 years, this finally replaces Greg's proving Seety photo. Optical Express still going strong, I see. SJ
- Capture 8
- 08 Sep 2023
During the interview he explains that it was an advertisement in the ‘Sandcastle Mercury’ that proved to be the answer to all his dreams, the acquisition of the ‘Arabella’, “a command of my own”, that he subsequently views through a coastal telescope. Loz Park identifies the old lighthouse in the left background as being in Old Hunstanton, some 1.5 miles to the north of the town centre adding that the pier would not have been visible from this location. The area has since been redeveloped with desirable beach front, actually, cliff-top, properties.
John Duell returned to the cliff top location where he stood as close as possible to the original camera position.
- Capture 9
- 18 Mar 2022
As he descends to the beach he realises that his nautical experiences may not have prepared him for those ashore, “just a simple sailor”. The steps actually descend to the promenade north of the pier, and were cut into the cliff below the Esplanade Gardens. (SD)
The clay into which the steps were cut is very soft and no sign of them remains. With thanks to Bruce Palmer who identified the location. (SD)
- Capture 10
- 21 Mar 2017
Making his way past the beach huts. See Nigel Haverly's background notes and shooting stills via the link in the Header Section of this film.
Now, without the pier. The beach huts were props which were moved to the three different locations used for this scene. SD
- Capture 11
- 21 Mar 2017
To view his purchase first hand. The pier Hunstanton
In January 1978 most of the pier was destroyed by a storm and what remained was destroyed by a fire in 2002. A new amusement arcade was built on the site. It is still referred to as The Pier. SD
- Capture 12
- 21 Mar 2017
Capt. Ambrose walks towards the ticket office and witnesses the ticket office clerk pocket a share of the takings. The town, the seafront, Hunstanton, Norfolk.
Now, viewed from the beach, the arcade which has replaced the entrance to the pier. SD
- Capture 13
- 18 Aug 2011
Pays the entrance fee to Tommy (Percy Herbert) who shows little or no interest other than to the 'runners and riders'.......
Building in centre background is unmistakable as Golden Lion Hotel, this was the first building to be constructed in the new part of town. From sharp-eyed sleuth Loz Park.
- Capture 14
- 21 Mar 2017
.......and proceeds onto the pier.
Now, a walk on the pier replaced by a walk on the beach. SD
- Capture 15
- 21 Mar 2017
Only to find that its woodwork is rotting and the staff Figg (Victor Maddern), idle.
To walk here now means getting muddy boots. SD
- Capture 16
- 17 May 2019
Having introduced himself to the “crew” Duckworth (Harold Goodwin) and Figg he asks where the Master Quarters are.
Even without a pier Martin was able to catch a decent low tide back in December. (RL)
- Capture 17
- 17 May 2019
Well, the “office” is just to the side of the “Crazy Cottage”. See Nigel Haverly's background notes and shooting stills via the link in the Header Section of this film.
As Martin points out, the pier may have gone but the church remains the most prominent landmark at centre of image. (RL)
- Capture 18
- 21 Mar 2017
He goes on to find the Pier Pavilion with a show in progress.
Now just a view out to sea. The interior of the pavilion was filmed at the town hall. SD
- Capture 19
- 18 Feb 2020
He meets all the “crew” and appoints Tommy as Chief Officer…...
Just another view out to sea. This time at high tide. (SD)
- Capture 20
- 21 Mar 2017
…they review the broken gaming machines and pier train and….
Now. Taken at low tide to replicate the view from the once 830 foot pier. SD
- Capture 21
- 21 Mar 2017
....and as they are about to part they are approached by Crowley (Maurice Denham) “Chief Tinpot” on the Council, Mayor of Sandcastle. Looking towards Hunstanton seafront and town.
Now, time to clean my boots. SD
- Capture 22
- 18 Feb 2020
He retrieves the slot machines seized by the police having proved that gambling is not involved, it requires skill, and is confronted by youths on his return to the pier. The Green, Hunstanton outside what was 'Cracknells' and is now the 'Heritage Centre'. See Nigel Haverly's background notes and shooting stills via the link in the Header Section of this film.
Now a fish and chip restaurant. The Heritage Centre moved to new premises in February 2019. (SD)
- Capture 23
- 06 Apr 2019
Capt. Ambrose registers the pier as a ship to frustrate the local council’s plans of compulsory purchase.
Nigel Haverly, having taken this picture, advises that the end of the pier was actually built on the promenade.
- Capture 24
- 17 May 2019
After events that see part of the pier float off with him remaining as captain aboard it eventually approaches a “foreign” shore.
If Martin is correct regarding Wells-Next-the-Sea (Capture 4) then the similarity of background and beech huts here were certainly seem to add further support. (RL)
- Capture 25
- 29 Jan 2013
He finishes the story in the bank and he and his listeners leave when the rum runs out. Eastcheap, London EC3
9 Eastcheap on the corner of Botolph Lane. Now re-developed and a Post Office taken over from the bank. Richard Lovejoy