Big Switch, The

The Narrator (Patrick Allen) advises that “This, as you may or may not know, is London. Headquarters of devaluation, socialism and the permissive society" . . . . talking of which, this is the Sunset Strip on Dean Street in Soho W1.

The venue survives. (PW)

"The people that live here are quite ordinary. Clean living and un-ostentatious." Lord John at the corner of Carnaby Street and Ganton Street in W1.

A more sedate corner now. (PW)

"This is where the would be non-conformists shop." Looking south-east on Carnaby Street with Foubert’s Place to the left.

With chain stores pushing out the independent shops, the street is now more hanging on than swinging. (PW)

Patrick takes a break from his narration, long enough to apologise for the dark captures at the start of this production. However, a terrace on Royal Avenue in SE3 can just about be made out here.

I chose the north side as it had a lamp in about the right place. SJ

Alvaro, a popular Italian restaurant where the stars of the 60s dined, was located at Mitre House on King’s Road SW3.

Now a card shop Scribbler, 124a King's Road. SJ

The Chelsea Kitchen stood at 98 King's Road appears before the narration continues to tell us about the sleazier side of London.

Now Kujten, selling cashmere, 98 King's Road. SJ

John Carter (Sebastian Breaks) leaves LuLu's Coffee Shop & Discotheque with Samantha (Erika Raffael). Young Street, London W8.

9 Young Street is now part of the Flat Iron steakhouse chain, after being a bakery for quite a while. No Filter refers to a cosmetic dermatological service. SJ

The 30 year old advertising company art director and his date for the night walk over to his MG B. Young Street in Kensington with Kensington High Street crossing the background.

Looking north with Northcliffe House on the left corner. SJ

After driving past Safeway on Chelsea's King’s Road and turning into Royal Avenue, the pair arrive outside Sam's pad.

Sam enters the building while Carter heads to buy cigarettes.

An Assassin (Dan Jackson) leaves the house after killing Sam before Carter returns from his errand.

Amalgamated City Advertising where Carter supervises a photo shoot for deodorants before being fired by Hornsby-Smith. As revealed by Dave W in the following capture, 28-29 Dover Street, London W1. (RL)

Neil Kenny captures a matching view.

The shot tilts down to the building's entrance. The building bears the partial name 'Simon' and the address numbers are 28 - 29. Dave W unravels the evidence to find 29-29 Dover Street, London W1 when the building was known as 'Simon House'. (RL)

Avoiding a street light and its buddy the cycle stand, Neil Kenny provides a slightly off angle comparison.

That evening, Carter returns home to discover three men and a woman waiting to beat him up over an alleged gambling debt. Sloane Avenue Mansions on Sloane Avenue, Chelsea SW3.

Also seen in "The Long Arm." SJ

On the orders of nightclub owner Karl Mendez, his new boss, Carter drives to Brighton with Karen. London Road, Bolney in Sussex with The Bolney Stage public house to the left.

Until the mid-90s this was a dual-carriageway section of the main London to Brighton Road. The upgraded A23 now runs 150 yards east of here, and this short section of the old southbound carriageway leads only to the pub car park. PB.

Having been followed from London, the two arrive in the seaside town. Old Steine in Brighton, Sussex at the junction of Marine Parade and Madeira Drive with Royal York Buildings in the left distance. The area features in ‘Genevieve’, 'The Double', ‘Penny Points to Paradise’, ‘Be My Guest’ and ‘Pop Pirates’.

Viewed by the entrance to Brighton Sea Life Centre. (SD)

The MG's indicators flash left as Carter and his passenger approach their destination. Looking west along Marine Drive in Brighton, in East Sussex since 1974.

Now, with the entrance to Brighton Marina on the left. (SD)

The camera pans with the car. Marine Gate on Marine Drive, opposite Black Rock. The building can also be seen in 'Playground Express' as well as 'The Double'.

Marine Gate was completed in 1939, unfortunately, very near to a gas works. Both became targets for bombers during the war. (SD)

Carrying their luggage, Carter follows Karen (Virginia Wetherell) into the building and an apartment owned by Mendez. The entrance to Marine Gate in Brighton.

Slightly more colourful. (SD)

After making the acquaintance of Gerry, Cathy, Jane and Al the previous day, another morning dawns in Brighton. Looking towards Palace Pier and Old Steine from Madeira Drive with the Royal Albion Hotel in the right background.

Unable to include the lamp due to extensive building work limiting access. The area was also seen in 'Pop Pirates'. (SD)

Mendez and Hornsby-Smith head to meet Al at Shoreham Airport in the nightclub owner's Aston Martin followed by Gerry, Carter, Karen and Cathy in a Fiat. Marine Gate on Marine Drive, Brighton.

These cars are parked. (SD)

The two cars head along the coast. Kingsway in Hove, Sussex with the corner of Tennis Road to the right and Hove Lagoon on the left.

It appears to have been filmed from the small balcony of one of the houses. (SD)

At the airport, Hornsby-Smith (Jack Allen) and Karl Mendez (Derek Aylward) get out of the DB6 and wait for Bruno Miglio's plane to arrive. Shoreham Airport off New Salts Farm Road in Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex, specifically, buildings next to the Beagle Aircraft factory recognised by Chris Fippard.

A police van heads towards the runway as Miglio's light aircraft lands. Shoreham Airport in Sussex.

Facing north east from beside the terminal building. Replacing my comparison shot from May 2019 with a better version (SD)

With Miglio and his Wife in the Aston Martin, the two car convoy heads back to Brighton. Shoreham Airport, now accessed by Cecil Pashley Way and known since 2014 as Brighton City Airport. The airport also features in 'The Da Vinci Code', 'Rogue's Yarn', 'Richard III', 'The Body Stealers', 'Battle of the V-1' and 'The Master Plan'.

Thankfully not as many cars here today. (SD)

The Fiat leads along Albion Street in Southwick, Sussex. This is facing west with Shoreham Power Station and Shoreham Harbour to the left. The harbour and Power Station also appear in 'Rogue's Yarn'.

Viewed from the corner with West Road. The Brighton B Power Station was demolished in 1988 (the west chimney in 1998). The much smaller replacement power station was opened in 2002. (SD)

A pan follows the cars as they pass the camera. Looking east on Albion Street, Southwick. The A Power Station was also seen in 'Shadow of Fear'.

Viewed from the corner with West Road. On the right was the Brighton A Power Station which closed in 1976. (SD)

Carter holds a gun to Gerry's head. King’s Road, Brighton with Regency Square to the right. Also seen in 'The Night We Got the Bird'.

Now. (SD)

Gerry brings the car to a stand allowing, Karen, Cathy and Carter to escape. Regency Square with the War Memorial to the right.

The building work was for the construction of the Regency Square underground car park. (SD)

Karen, Cathy and Carter run onto an icy West Pier. Looking towards Regency Square from the West Pier.

A wider shot of the area now. The West Pier entrance was rebuilt for the i360. The kiosk on the right was reconstructed and is now the West Pier Cafe. (SD)

Snow begins to fall as Carter and the girls head along the pier. The West Pier opened in 1866 and was closed in 1975, subsequently falling into disrepair.

Now. Viewed from the approximate location of that section of the pier. (SD)

Hornsby-Smith fires his gun at Cathy (Julie Shaw). Brighton’s West Pier appears in many productions including ‘Smokescreen’, ‘Villain’, ‘One Good Turn’, ‘Cast a Dark Shadow’, ‘Oh! What a Lovely War’, ‘Carry On Girls’, ‘The Night We Got the Bird’ and ‘Loot’.

The rusting framework of the West Pier pavilion. The concert hall was the first section of the pier to collapse and no part of it remains. (SD)

Following a shoot out in the pier's amusement arcade, the Police arrive and arrest Miglio and Mendez. West Pier in Brighton, Sussex. The pier partially collapsed during a storm in December 2002 and the pavilion at the pier head caught fire the following March. Partial demolition took place in 2010 and more storm damage occurred in 2014 followed by a further collapse in 2016.

As close a match as can be achieved. (SD)