Big Day, The

Date: 1960
Director: Peter Graham Scott
Production Company: Independent Artists

Stars: Donald Pleasence, Andrée Melly, Colin Gordon, Harry H. Corbett, William Franklyn, Susan Shaw, Molly Urquhart
Location(s): Buckinghamshire

Region(s):

Storyline:

A forceful managing director selects the unlikeliest of three candidates for a position.

Additional Information:

Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson

Whilst taking comparative shots for other captures in March 2024 Phil Richards provided us with an update on the location area seen in Captures 8 and 2. It can be viewed here.

Whilst providing us with the comparative shot for Capture 12, of necessity from ground level, Phil Richards has sent us support material relative to his photograph that can be viewed here.

Can you help:

If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.

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
  • 28 Mar 2024

A pallet truck laden with boards is followed by the camera. Leigh Street, High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire.

Phil Richards spent some spare time in High Wycombe to our benefit, noting that the basic factory building structure has just been converted into flats so it looks identical, even the downpipes are in the same place. (RL)

  • Capture 2
  • 16 May 2023

Looking into the premises of William Birch Ltd. on Leigh Street in High Wycombe. The business was taken over by E. Gomme in 1954 and the factory was subsequently used for making G-Plan furniture.

Antony Blair pointed his lens into the gloom of what is now an underground car park. An update on this scene location and the sequence in which it features can be viewed via the link in the Header Section. (RL)

  • Capture 3
  • 28 Mar 2024

Short listed for a new director’s position, Tom Selkirk (William Franklyn) arrives for work. Through the entranceway to the left runs Leigh Street. The site is currently being redeveloped to residential use.

Here Phil found the original building on the left had been demolished. The building with the chimney is the original factory now refurbished (C1 was this factory building from the north side).A new building has been built parallel to that factory block which takes up most of the original courtyard (see the following Capture). The original tunnel into the courtyard still remains but now provides the entrance to the underground car park for all the tenants as witnessed in the comparative shot for Capture 2. (RL)

  • Capture 4
  • 28 Mar 2024

The shot pans with the Ford Prefect. William Birch’s factory in High Wycombe where once, high-quality arts and craft furniture was manufactured.

The courtyard has been replaced by a 2nd block of apartments parallel to the factory; the factory block at the end has been totally removed. Thanks Phil.

  • Capture 5
  • 'Now' required

Victor Partridge’s secretary and lover Nina Wentworth (Andrée Melly) walks into the garage where transport manager Harry Jackson has his office.

  • Capture 6
  • 'Now' required

With his day's work over, Tom Selkirk drives home.

  • Capture 7
  • 'Now' required

Reaching his suburban house, the confident manager turns into the driveway.

  • Capture 8
  • 16 May 2023

The Managing Director’s car approaches the factory. Leigh Street in High Wycombe. The walkway linking the factory buildings and the offices to the right no longer exist.

Antony Blair capture what remains standing. An update on this scene location and the sequence in which it features can be viewed via the link in the Header Section. (RL)

  • Capture 9
  • 'Now' required

George Baker (Colin Gordon) gets out of his Jaguar Mk IX and makes his way to the office where he speaks with directorship candidates Victor Partridge, Tom Selkirk and Harry Jackson.

  • Capture 10
  • 'Now' required

The hooter sounds as shop floor Workers arrive at the factory on the day of the interviews.

  • Capture 11
  • 'Now' required

Harry Jackson (Harry H. Corbett) is called to the Managing Director’s office.

  • Capture 12
  • 07 Apr 2024

Leaving the factory, Madge Delaney (Marianne Stone) walks arm in arm with Nina who has been fired by the newly appointed Director. Looking down onto the courtyard of William Birch Ltd. on Leigh Street in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

Phil Richards provides this ground level comparative shot as well as relevant support material that can be viewed via the link in the Header Section of this film. (RL)