Bedazzled

Stanley Moon attends church . . . "Dear God, there's something I want to ask you. Of course you know what it is because you know everything that's going to happen before it happens so there's really no need to ask you. But I thought I'd ask you in any case . . . . Steve Randall recognised the spire as belonging to St. Andrew's church in Wraysbury, Buckinghamshire.

Nick Boorman replicates the view.

. . . Now, you know that I believe in you, but I was wondering if you could give me just a little sign. I mean, I'm not saying that if you don't give me the sign that I won't believe in you. I'm not threatening you or anything like that. But please, please give me enough courage to speak to Margaret Spencer." Located by Steve Randall, this is St. Andrew's church on Windsor Road, Wraysbury.

Actually, Nick Boorman only took one image of the church.

Yes, it takes a while to tilt down a building in CinemaScope! St. Andrew's church on Windsor Road in Wraysbury, Buckinghamshire identified by Steve Randall. The church also appears in 'The Horsemasters', 'The Oblong Box' and 'The Innocents'.

Nick's well matched original shot was edited to provide this and the two previous comparisons.

The caped figure of George Spiggott (Peter Cook) sits in a corner as Margaret Spencer (Eleanor Bron) calls food orders to Stanley. Looking out from number 108 onto Shenley Road in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.

With their shifts finished, Stanley Moon (Dudley Moore) follows Miss Spencer from the Wimpy Bar but can't find the courage to ask her out. Shenley Road features in many productions including 'On the Buses', 'Percy's Progress', 'Love thy Neighbour', 'The Scamp', 'The Glitterball' and 'Confessions of a Window Cleaner'.

Given away by the intact structure on the left. This is on the south side of Shenley Road just west of Cardinal Avenue. SJ

Stanley watches Margaret get into a male friend's Isetta Bubble Car. Shenley Road, Borehamwood located by Terry Guntrip.

This would seem to be the right place. SJ

Margaret is driven away for an evening out. Shenley Road in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, just a couple of minutes walk from Elstree Studios.

Adrian Wild provides this capture of the same location. Image copyright Google Streetview.

After George Spiggott disrupts Stanley Moon's suicide attempt, the pair catch a bus when the short-order cook is granted a wish to prove that his new friend is the Unholy One. This is the junction of Golborne Road, Golborne Gardens and Edenham Street in W10 with Hazlewood Crescent in the right background. In a different era, the location is seen in 'Burning an Illusion'.

A slightly wider shot of this junction to show the last remaining original building on the left, formerly occupied by the Laylow restaurant and club. SJ

George asks to borrow sixpence to purchase Stanley's wish, a Frobisher & Gleason raspberry flavored ice lolly. This is Blenheim Terrace in London NW8.

This terrace is a little way along the road. SJ.

The Ice Lolly Seller (Anna Turner) looks on as Stanley disappointingly advises George that he could have done that himself. Blenheim Terrace NW8.

The north side of Blenheim Terrace. SJ

With Stanley doubting Beelzebub's identity, George prepares to provide proof. Facing south-west on Blenheim Terrace in St. Johns Wood.

Now. SJ.

George snaps his fingers and the two appear on a derelict street. Southam Street in W10 with Portobello Bridge carrying Golborne Road over the railway and the gas holders of the Western Gasworks, in Ladbroke Grove, standing in the distance.

The same location now. A similar view was seen in 'Col Cuore in Gola'. PW

Noticing that his lolly has melted, Stanley accepts that George is, indeed, the Devil. These windows on Southam Street also appear in 'Col cuore in gola'.

Stanley looks around before asking if this is hell. Edenham Street from Kensal Place with the junction of Golborne Road in the left of centre distance. The location is now partly occupied by Trellick Tower.

Looking north-west, I am likely a little too far to the north (on the right) here but this shows the greener look of Meanwhile Gardens and the base of the Trellick Tower in the centre. SJ

George explains that this is the Rendezvous Club, his London headquarters. Southam Street also features in 'Sapphire' and 'Train of Events' with the rear of the terraces seen in 'Bitter Harvest'.

After selling his soul to George in exchange for seven wishes, an intellectual Stanley entertains Margaret at London Zoo. Now styled as ZSL London Zoo, the famous location stands in the north of the Regent's Park NW1.

Now. SJ.

As the shot pans with Stanley and Margaret, George comes into view. London Zoo the world's oldest scientific zoo, having opened in 1828.

That's a war memorial in the background. SJ.

When his wish goes horribly wrong, Stanley blows a raspberry to be transported back to George. The top of the, then, Post Office Tower on Maple Street W1.

The Post Office Tower seen from the junction of Clipstone Street and Bolsover Street in W1. The iconic building features in many productions including 'Smashing Time', 'Percy' and 'Three Hats for Lisa'.

Paul Lincoln sends us this long awaited comparison shot. Thanks Paul, worth the wait. (RL)

As the two look down on Man in the street below, George gives instructions to a pigeon.

All the way from California, Robin Curtis has used his artistry to provide this shot looking north-west over Regent's Park. (SJ)

Stanley asks why the Vicar wasn't chosen to be the pigeon's target and George replies that "He's one of ours".

Stanley wishes to be a rich, influential, multi-millionaire living on a vast county estate with a physical Margaret. Antony Blair explains that this is looking north on Windsor End in Beaconsfield, about 100 yards from the main entrance to the Hall Barn Estate.

The scene now captured by Antony.

The camera finds Sir Stanley Moon's Rolls as it passes through the gates of his country mansion. Steve Randall identifies this as the gates giving access to Hall Barn on Windsor End in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire.

Antony Blair returned to the location 56 years later where a 4x4 has traded places with the limousine.

Seed (Erik Chitty) the butler, waits to meet his master. Hall Barn on Windsor End, Beaconsfield located by Steve Randall. The house and the surrounding estate also appear in ‘Take a Girl Like You’, 'Anoop and the Elephant', 'Gosford Park', ‘Chariots of Fire’ and ‘Nobody Runs Forever’.

Sir Stanley lavishes gifts on an uninterested Margaret as harp teacher Randolph (Robin Hawdon) holds her during a game of croquet. Steve Randall found Hall Barn on Windsor End, Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire.

Again the wish goes awry and Stanley is reunited with George who is about to release a swarm of wasps onto a group of Flower People.

George issues parking tickets as he snaps his fingers causing meters to click over to 'penalty' while he and Stanley pass by. Norfolk Crescent in W2.

The building of housing now complete. SJ.

Stanley looks up to George as he sits on top of a post box explaining how he became what he is. Norfolk Crescent can be seen in its original form in '23 Paces to Baker Street' and during redevelopment in 'Daylight Robbery'.

Taken from roughly where the post box was looking northwest. SJ

Sitting on his 'throne' while being adored, George tells Stanley that he was thrown out of Heaven for committing the Sin of pride. Norfolk Crescent in Paddington.

Not quite the same angle but adjusted to show the block on Burwood Place. SJ.

George continues, saying that he only wanted to be like God. Norfolk Crescent in London W2.

This is looking north at the south end of the private gardens of Norfolk Crescent. It took a while to work out but this focuses on the two trees which remain as locators. SJ

Picking up a 'wet paint' sign from a bench, George places it in a bin and sets light to it. More of Norfolk Crescent.

Again, using the tree as a guide. SJ

Stanley calls the act pathetic as George spots a chance more mischief. The gardens in the centre of Norfolk Crescent with The Water Gardens in the right background.

This picture from Ivor Williams confirms the location.

A snap of the fingers and a Woman's shopping falls through the bottom of her bag. The junction of Norfolk Crescent and Cambridge Square identified by Martin Daulby.

Another confirmation from Ivor.

The two laugh before returning to George's headquarters for the night followed by a further wish for Stanley the following morning. Norfolk Crescent in Paddington W2.

This had me fooled for a while as the pair are laughing in completely the wrong direction. In fact it's behind them beyond the crescent gardens where the shopping bag splits. SJ

Another blown raspberry returns Stanley to George . . . this time at the top of a telegraph pole where crossed line devilry is being performed.

In a Post Office Telecommunications van, George and Stanley arrive at Mrs. Wisby's house disguised as two Froony Green Eyewash men. This could be a prop constructed for the film.

For his next wish, Stanley pictures a cosy domestic situation where he and Margaret are madly in love.

A loving Nicholas (Peter Cook) holds the children while his wife Margaret sets off in the car with her lover Stanley in yet another ill conceived scenario.

Returning from the alternative but impossible life, Stanley finds George drilling a hole in an oil tanker. Owned by Belships, MT Belmaj was built in 1964 by Øresundsvarvet and sold as scrap in 1993.

The two climb out of the water at London's Royal Victoria Dock in E16.

George tells Stanley that he only has six souls to go before he's collected a hundred billion souls to win the game with God. The Royal Victoria Docks also feature in 'A Prayer for the Dying', 'Brannigan', 'The Sandwich Man' and 'The Girl in the Headlines' amongst many.

Stanley is treated to an afternoon out with Avarice (Danièle Noël) and Gluttony (Parnell McGarry). Battersea Fun Fair in Battersea Park SW11. Other views of the location are seen in 'Doctor in the House', 'Seventy Deadly Pills', 'The File of the Golden Goose', 'Counterspy', 'The Day the Earth Caught Fire', 'The Wrong Arm of the Law', 'The Green Buddha', 'The Internecine Project' and 'The Mutations'.

Knowing that Stanley hates heights, George asks if he's enjoying himself. In the background is Battersea's wooden Big Dipper which opened in 1951 but suffered a major fire in 1970 and a fatal accident two years later before the park was closed in 1974.

The best one can do, given the limited elevation. The Big Dipper, briefly replaced in 1972 by Cyclone which was a different shape, was to the east of the fair and Battersea Power Station's towers can just be made out behind Dudley's left shoulder. The treeline appears to emulate the shape of the Big Dipper. SJ

Believing that he has covered all the requirements for a perfect life with Margaret, Stanley is granted another wish . . . . and is transported to the Berelian Order as a Nun. Identified as Ashridge College, Little Gaddesden, Hertfordshire by Geoff Dodd. Also seen in 'The Dirty Dozen'. (RL)

Sister Phoebe (Betty Cooper) leads Sister Luna into the Abbey where, firstly, his suitcase is burnt. Another angle of Ashridge College, Little Gaddesden, Hertfordshire identified by Geoff. (RL)

Sister Luna follows Sister Phoebe to the cell where he meets Sister Margaret. It naturally follows that this is also Ashridge College, Little Gaddesden, Hertfordshire identified by Geoff. (RL)

Looking suspiciously like George, another Sister shows a raspberry blowing Sister Luna around the grounds. This Ashridge College, Little Gaddesden, Hertfordshire says Geoff. (RL)

The Nuns of the order celebrate Beryl of Sussex by leaping onto trampolines. Ashridge College, Little Gaddesden, Hertfordshire, thanks Geoff. (RL)

Beating drums, the Nuns position themselves for the ceremony. And finally Ashridge College, Little Gaddesden, Hertfordshire as identified by Geoff. (RL)

Making his way from the Abbey still dressed as a Nun, Stanley runs past a Priest (Max Faulkner) on his way to confront George at the Rendezvous Club. Southam Street in London W10.

Having returned Stanley's soul to him, George visits Heaven to ask God if he can be readmitted. Syon House Conservatory in Syon Park, Brentford, Greater London.

The same conservatory now. SJ.

St. Peter (Lockwood West) rises from his gardening and takes George to God. Syon House Great Conservatory. The conservatory also makes an appearance in 'Goodbye Mr. Chips' from 1969, 1971's 'Universal Soldier', 'Follow Me!' and 'Catch Us if You Can'.

George is shown into the Great Conservatory where God's voice booms out "On thy belly shalt thou go! Dust shalt thou eat!"

When ordered to speak, George tells God that he has collected enough souls and has even done a good deed in giving Stanley's back to him. Inside Syon House Conservatory in Syon Park.

Visiting the conservatory at Syon House, Steve Vivona took this view.

God disappears before St. John shows George the way out while explaining that Stanley was given his soul back for the wrong reason.

With access restricted, Steve Vivona captured the best comparison possible.

Returning to Earth, George finds Stanley back at his old job and asks to borrow his soul so that he can return it for the right reason. Inside the Wimpy on Shenley Road in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.

Coming out of the Wimpy Bar after Stanley declines his offer, George looks up at the heavens and shouts to God "What a triumph. Very funny. All right, you great git. You've asked for it. I'll cover the world in Tastee-Freez and Wimpy Burgers. I'll fill it full of concrete runways, motorways, aircraft, television, and automobiles, advertising . . . .

Shenley Road in Borehamwood once again. A different window but same reflection . . . and same polished stone to the right. SJ

. . . plastic flowers and frozen food, supersonic bangs. I'll make it so noisy and disgusting that even you'll be ashamed of yourself. No wonder you've so few friends — you're unbelievable!" With God's laugh echoing in the background, George spins around in Piccadilly Circus W1, surrounded by the beginning of the blight that he has predicted.

See how the Eros, the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain, has changed position. SJ.