Beauty Jungle, The

An establishing shot of the beach at Weston-super-Mare in Somerset with the Grand Pier prominent in the background. The location was also seen in 'Sons and Lovers'.

The same location now.

The camera pans, bringing a Morris Minor Convertible into view as it descends to the beach.

The entrance to Grand Pier off Royal Parade, Weston-super-Mare.

Photographers Don Mackenzie (Ian Hendry) and Walter Carey (Ronald Fraser) get out of the car and aren't impressed by the lack of a 'swinging' scene.

Facing Royal Parade at the end of Regent Street in Weston-super-Mare.

Mackenzie scans the horizon as he makes his way across the beach. The backdrop is provided by buildings on Beach Road behind Marine Parade.

Martin R. took this comparison which shows rebuilding in the background.

Shirley Freeman (Janette Scott) waits for her friends to catch up whilst running across the beach. Weston-super-Mare.

Taken as the tide was going out so no wet feet.

Mackenzie and Carey eye the girls as they settle down under the pier. The beach off Marine Parade, Weston-super-Mare.

The same place from a similar angle.

After offering a light for cigarettes, Mackenzie suggests a few poses for the camera.

Pillars under the pier in Weston-super-Mare.

Shots are taken for the Weston Daily Press.

And there are still donkeys on the beach . . . . just not here!

Following a day of snaps and 'getting to know each other', Shirley is coaxed into entering Charlie Dorton's (Tommy Trinder) beauty contest on Grand Pier.

The screen shot is difficult to recreate as the pier has been rebuilt, which makes a change from being left as a burnt out shell or blown away as so many others have.

As it starts to rain, contestants for the beauty parade are brought along the pier by 'land train'. Roger Hole advises that the gentleman driving the train is his late father, Dennis John Hole.

Again, probably not quite the same angle due to rebuilding.

After failing to win the £5 prize, Mackenzie suggests entering another contest to an unwilling Shirley.

Another picture that is more a guess at the redesigned location.

Shirley and her fiancé Harry (David Weston) leave her house after pictures of her have appeared in the local newspaper.

Redcliffe Parade West, Bristol.

Harry suggests a drink before eating at the Brasserie. Redcliffe Parade West with St Mary Redcliffe Church in the background.

More greenery in this now image.

Shirley has other things on her mind and appears unimpressed by the planned evening. Redcliffe Parade West looking over the River Avon in Bristol.

Less undergrowth in this shot but the same railings.

The atmosphere is strained as the couple make their way down steps running from Redcliffe Parade West to Lower Guinea Street.

The same steps lead down below a rebuilt wall.

Harry proposes to forget that Shirley's pictures have appeared in the press. Lower Guinea Street, Bristol.

The same location now.

Shirley makes it clear that she is not part of Harry's life yet.

Outside the Ostrich Inn on Lower Guinea Street, Harbourside, Bristol BS1.

Harry watches when a group of men leave the pub and recognise Shirley from the photographs.

New housing has replaced the industrial backdrop but there are still a couple of cranes rising over the rooftops.

The revelers get into their car as Harry urges Shirley on to the Brasserie.

A rare shot these days, less cars!! Looking north on Lower Guinea Street.

An argument breaks out before Shirley walks away. The yellow building stands on The Grove, across the River Avon.

Through the trees and behind the ship, what was the yellow building still stands.

Shirley contemplates Mackenzie's hint at a glamorous lifestyle.

Phoenix Wharf, Redcliffe in Bristol.

A zoom shot starts after Shirley joins up with Mackenzie and agrees to enter more contests.

Looking over Phoenix Wharf from Redcliffe Parade West.

Deportment lessons begin atop the building seen in the previous image beaju022.

More training is given as Mackenzie and Carey look on. In the background stands Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol BS8.

From a similar angle now.

Image is everything. The Clifton Suspension Bridge is also seen in 'Some People' as well as 'Two and Two Make Six'.

Yes, the bridge is still all there behind the tree.

Mackenzie explains how to smile to win. In the left background can be seen properties on Sion Hill.

Looking downhill from Suspension Bridge Road.

After a makeover and new hair colour, a blonde Shirley is entered into another beauty contest. Although Wikipedia tells us that this is Butlin's at Minehead in Somerset Ian Wegg advises that it's actually Butlin’s at Bognor Regis in Sussex.

This was the Sunbathing Lawn, with the Princes Building to the right and the Gaiety Theatre top left. The judges were facing away from the Promenade Entrance. The Princes Building is now Centre Stage, a live music venue. The north west corner is now part of the Skyline Pavilion along with the west side of what was the Gaiety Theatre. In 1987 the Plaza Food Court, which is now Hotshots Sports Bar, was built on the site of the lawn, with only this path which led from the original Promenade Entrance remaining. (SD)

A contest Judge (Sid James) views the parade of girls. Butlin’s at Bognor Regis identified by Ian Wegg who has researched the location extensively.

For the close up of the judges they were positioned facing away from the west side of the Princes Building, with the south side of the Gaiety Theatre seen in the background. This area is now under the Skyline Pavilion, the tensile fabric canopy which was added to Butlins during the 1998/99 closed season. (SD)

Boredom sets in as the parade continues. Butlin's holiday camp, Bognor Regis which also appears in 'The Leather Boys'.

Originally the Sunbathing Lawn, with the Gaiety Theatre seen behind the judges. No longer a theatre, the building is now used for services, amenities, shops, and restaurants. The west side of the building is part of the Skyline Pavilion, a large all weather area with bars, restaurants, shops and entertainment. (SD)

Shirley accepts her £10 prize after coming third in the Holiday Camp Queen contest. Butlin's holiday camp on Upper Bognor Road, Bognor Regis in Sussex found by Ian Wegg.

This was the west side of the Princes Building which included bars, a coffee lounge, a ballroom, indoor skating rink and a billiards room. It is now Centre Stage, a live music venue. The existing original buildings have become unrecognisable. (SD)

After hitting the headlines, losing her fiancé and falling out with her parents, Shirley looks to Mackenzie for help. Clifton Suspension Bridge over the River Avon. Bridge Road, Bristol BS8.

More security now, along with signs carrying the Samaritans phone number!

Mackenzie shows Shirley her fan mail and she realises that she can go on to win.

This shot is taken facing east, from the Leigh Woods side of the bridge.

The decision is made to enter for 'Miss Rose of England'. Between the two can be seen Clifton Observatory, a former mill, above St Vincent's Rocks.

The same location today.

After entering a series of beauty parades, Shirley appears in the 'Miss Rose of England' area finals. Weston-super-Mare Lido. The concrete art deco diving board was demolished in 1982.

Contestants line up in less than perfect weather.

The Master of Ceremonies (Jerry Desmonde) announces the entrants. Weston-super-Mare Lido. The site was rebranded as Tropicana in 1983 but has remained derelict since closure in 2000.

Ian Boots provides this comparative shot of the old 'Tropicana', Weston super Mare acknowledging that it is the front facade and not the rear, lido side, but COVID-19 restrictions as well as access restrictions currently prevent a more accurate one. (RL)

Shirley struts her stuff in front of the judges and crowd.

Don Mackenzie draws others in to shout support for Shirley.

Shirley is announced as the runner up in the 'Miss Rose of England' contest. Weston-super-Mare Lido, Marine Parade, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.

When the winner of the contest is disqualified it's next stop Monté Carlo for Shirley. A 'helitaxi' flies over over the Hôtel de Paris bringing Shirley and Mackenzie into the resort. Monté Carlo, Monaco.

Rebuilt and taller with the foreground building removed. PW

Coming in to land, the helicopter passes over the Opera de Monte Carlo, Place du Casino, Monaco 98000.

Opera de Monte Carlo is home to the Casino de Monte-Carlo. PW

The helicopter touches down.

Construction work hampers a better comparison. PW

Shirley and Mackenzie walk from the landing pad.

The two climb the steps towards the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Monaco . . . . .

Taken from the top of the steps. PW

. . . . and walk towards their hotel. Seen from the grounds of Hôtel Hermitage, the background building stands beyond Avenue Princess Alice in Monte-Carlo.

Prizewinning Shirley and her self styled agent Mackenzie enter the hotel. Hôtel Hermitage with an address on Square Beaumarchais.

With no access to the property, this view showing the upper part of background frontage from the screen capture is taken from the junction of Avenue d'Ostende, Avenue de Monte-Carlo and Avenue Princess Alice. PW

The two tour the town and Shirley spots a poster for the Miss Trapeze contest hosted by Rex Carrick.

Mackenzie explains that this is their weekend off from contests.

The day after entering and winning the Miss Trapeze contest, Shirley and Mackenzie are shown to a table by businessman Roger Armand (Jean Claudio).

Armand explains that the Miss Trapeze contest was arranged to promote his company's product.

Film star Rex Carrick (Edmund Purdom) joins the group and suggests dinner together.

Back in England, Mackenzie and Carey take Shirley on a photoshoot. Marylebone station in London NW1. The station has been seen in many films including 'Up Jumped a Swagman', 'Smashing Time', 'Carry On Girls', 'Accidental Death', 'Lady Godiva Rides Again', 'The IPCRESS File', 'Trouble at Townsend', 'Postman's Knock' and 'The Day of the Triffids'.

The same wall now.

Smile please! Marylebone station, Melcombe Place in NW1.

Not exactly the same spot as the station has seen a fair amount of redesign.

Harry and his new girlfriend stop and peruse a poster featuring Shirley advertising underwear. This is the corner of a Leslie Green designed Underground station which I believe to be the bomb damaged Marylebone.

And this is the same location now. The angle and depth of focus of the film camera misses the buildings of Marylebone station to the right.

A shot of the poster, not for Shirley in undies but to show the boarded up entrance of the building. Demolished in 1971, the station once stood on the corner of Harewood Avenue and Harewood Row NW1. The site is now occupied by a Travelodge.

No posters now.

An establishing shot outside Shirley's London apartment. Hugo Mitchell pinpoints this some way away from Marylebone, as it's 52 Thurloe Square, London SW7 (RL)

Mackenzie arrives outside the building. Thurloe Square SW7 identified by Hugo Mitchell . (RL)

A establishing shot as Shirley arrives in Nice for the prestigious Miss Globe contest. Nice Côte d'Azur Airport.

The media race to the planeside as a flight carrying contestants lands.

Photographers race forward to get the best pictures of the girls.

Dignitaries and Officials approach, followed by a troop of Chaperones. Nice Côte d'Azur Airport off Rue Costes et Bellonte, Nice 06206, France.

A police escort accompanies the contestants' bus to the hotel. Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes.

The bus bringing hopefuls from all over the world arrives at the Majestic Hotel on Boulevard de la Croisette.

The forecourt of the Majestic Hotel in Cannes.

The evening of the contest sees the girls leaving the hotel with a police escort. Majestic Hotel, Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes 06400.

Shirley and the other contestants are driven to the Miss Globe venue. Boulevard de la Croisette in Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes, France.

After failing to be elected Miss Globe, Shirley runs from the building.

Back in Weston-super-Mare, Charlie Dorton carries on his routine and another beauty contest takes place.

On the pier again with background buildings the same.

As the reigning title holder, Shirley appears as a judge at the next Miss Rose of England contest and spots her sister Elaine taking part. Weston-super-Mare Lido. Janina Faye recalls "All I can remember about the Location was that it was extremely cold and we were dressed only in our bathing costumes!"

After imagining the less than glamorous future in store for her sister, Shirley leaves the contest. Marine Parade, Weston-super-Mare. The background building is currently known as The Victorian Cafe.

And here's the same building now.

Mackenzie appears and the two just stand and look at each other.

Opposite Beach Lawns and the junction with Beach Road on Marine Parade, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.