Beauty and the Barge
Date: 1937
Director: Henry Edwards
Production Company: Julius Hagen Productions
Stars: Gordon Harker, Judy Gunn, Jack Hawkins, George Carney
Location(s): Kent
Region(s): South East A-D
Storyline:
Helped by an old sea captain, a young girl flees her home rather than marry a man she doesn’t love.
Additional Information:
Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson
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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
On the bridge of his Royal Navy destroyer, Lieutenant Seton Boyne (Jack Hawkins) spots Captain Barley's red sailed barge as it approaches the films Coastham. This could be circa Southend as it was reported filming was done near there and it does not apparently feature elsewhere in the film.
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
Imprisoned by her father Major Smedley (Sebastian Smith), Ethel Smedley (Judy Gunn) escapes from her locked room. Several elements of the house and grounds are seen throughout the film.
- Capture 3
- 'Now' required
As Seton Boyne makes his way to the house, Ethel reaches the ground.
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required
She arrives on the terrace of the house presenting herself to her indignant father, Lucy Dallas (Ann Wemyss) her cousin, and her mother (Margaret Scudamore) telling them that she has no intention or marrying Herbert Manners (Michael Shepley). The location of the house used is not known.
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
As the Major is driven off to meet Herbert Manners at the station, Lt. Seton Boyne, from the destroyer, is clambering up a coastal cliff to meet Ethel. It was said that filming was done at Bournemouth.
- Capture 6
- 'Now' required
As Ethel sends the Lieutenant from the garden when he appears at a cliff top, gardener John Dibbs (Frank Bertram) suggests that the Smedley's maid Mrs. Baldwin (Margaret Rutherford) takes him as a husband.
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
Captain Jim Barley (Gordon Harker), his First Mate Tom Codd (George Carney) and deck hand Augustus (Ronald Shiner) land in fictional Coastham. Looking towards the River Medway from Halstow Creek in Lower Halstow, Kent.
- Capture 8
- 'Now' required
Captain Barley tells Augustus to load the barge while he visits Mrs. Baldwin and Tom goes drinking at the Old Ship Inn. The wharf on Halstow Creek in Lower Halstow with St. Margaret’s church in the left background.
- Capture 9
- 'Now' required
Finding a note left by Ethel, Major Smedley (Sebastian Smith) tells his wife Susan (Margaret Scudamore) and Dibbs that they must search the countryside.
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required
A trap carrying the Major and Ethel's suitor Herbert Manners passes the Old Ship Inn. This has the appearance of a set and at the time it was reported that a visitor to Twickenham might have been justified in imagining that they had wandered by mistake into a quiet fishing village, the local inn and white-washed coastguard cottages.
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
Augustus approaches Major Smedley's cottage to ask for a jug of milk.
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required
After Ethel asks Captain Barley for passage aboard his barge, the Major hurries to the river with Mrs. Smedley, his niece Lucy Dallas (Ann Wemyss), Herbert Manners (Michael Shepley) and Dibbs. Pamela Fox tells us that her Aunt played Lucy Dallas adding "Aunt Bertha was at RADA with Stewart Grainger and had several names during her lifetime. Ann Wemyss was her chosen stage name which she acquired from her first husband, whom I believe was related to Admiral Wemyss. One of my four daughters shares my Aunt Bertha’s keen attributes for drama, having taken on several ‘Extras’ roles, the most recent in the latest series of 'Poldark!'"
- Capture 13
- 'Now' required
The barge is moored and ready to depart to London. Said to have been filmed using a farm location near Weybridge and the River Wey, Surrey.