Birthday Present, The
Date: 1957
Director: Pat Jackson
Production Company: British Lion Films
Stars: Tony Britton, Sylvia Syms, Jack Watling, Geoffrey Keen
Location(s): Kent, London, Middlesex
Region(s): London A-B, South East A-D
Storyline:
A top salesman is caught by customs and sentenced to three months imprisonment when he attempts to smuggle a watch into the country as a birthday present for his wife.
Additional Information:
Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson
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- Capture 1
- 'Now' required
Driving from Germany, Simon Scott arrives at Le Touquet airport for the flight to England. A thinly disguised Lydd Airport near Lydd in Kent which also appears in ‘A Weekend with Lulu’, ‘That Riviera Touch’ and 'Hysteria'.
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
Simon’s car is unloaded from the Silver City Airways Bristol Superfreighter whilst the successful salesman declares everything except an expensive watch at customs control. Lydd Airport in Kent.
- Capture 3
- 'Now' required
After being charged with smuggling, Simon drives to his office at Dell Brothers Ltd.
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required
Simon Scott (Tony Britton) gets out of his Hillman and heads inside to see Colonel Wilson.
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
The Concierge greets the employee as he approaches the entrance doors.
- Capture 6
- 06 Aug 2020
Accompanied by his solicitor Bates (Howard Marion-Crawford), Simon arrives at the story’s West Romney Magistrates Court. Outside Feltham Court House on Hanworth Road in Feltham, Middlesex.
Also arriving outside the same building, Antony Blair captured the view.
- Capture 7
- 06 Aug 2020
Receiving a three month prison sentence, Simon is driven from the court. The car park next to the Court House on Hanworth Road, Feltham.
Antony found that the gateway is now bricked up and the rear building has been extended.
- Capture 8
- 06 Aug 2020
The shot follows the police car onto the main road. Facing north-west on Hanworth Road, Fletham with Crendon Court in the left of centre distance.
A leafier scene greeted Antony Blair.
- Capture 9
- 'Now' required
Ending in darkness, the long journey to prison reaches its destination. Wandsworth Prison on Heathfield Road in London SW18. The prison features in a number of productions including 'Get Santa', ‘Law and Disorder’, 'Don't Ever Leave Me', 'Information Received', ‘The Dock Brief’, ‘The Dark Stairway’, ‘Gaolbreak’, 'Poor Cow', 'Two Letter Alibi', 'The Pot Carriers', ‘The Criminal’, Calculated Risk’ and ‘There Was a Crooked Man’.
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required
Hearing that Simon Scott is serving time in prison, Sir John Dell arrives to meet with the Colonel.
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
Upon his release, Jean Scott (Sylvia Syms) meets her husband. Looking along Alma Terrace from the junction with Heathfield Road in Wandsworth.
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required
When Simon loses his job, Jean leaves home for a weekend shoot as she continues to work as a photographer’s model. Dave W adds, "Jean is walking past 39 Godfrey Street SW3 towards Cale Street and the bulk of Sutton Dwellings now known as Sutton Estate." (RL)
- Capture 13
- 'Now' required
Following a number of rejections, Simon leaves Kirkland House after a good interview with Crowther. Kirkland House stands on Whitehall in SW1.
- Capture 14
- 'Now' required
The camera pans left to find the entrance to the Ripley Courtyard at the front of Admiralty House.
- Capture 15
- 'Now' required
Feeling confident, Simon heads home as Crowther picks up the phone to call Colonel Wilson. Looking south along Whitehall SW1 with, what was then, the War Office to the left.