Blue Murder at St. Trinian’s

Flash Harry Edwards explains to Italian Prince Bruno that St. Trinian's is set in sylvan surroundings and offers it's pupils all the advantages of modern education. Mike Hill knows that the exterior shots of the school were filmed at Easneye Children’s Home in Ware, Hertfordshire which is now The Easneye All Nations Christian College. The property can also be seen in 'The Green Man' and 'The Belles of St. Trinian’s'.

Similar footage in the 'Belles of St. Trinian's' demands a similar comparative shot, that is exactly wjhat Nick Hadkiss has provided. (RL)

Returning to England, Flash Harry arrives at St. Trinian's before the new Headmistress arrives to take over the running of the school from the Army. Mike Hill continues “I was a foundling and when I was trying to trace my origins I discovered that I had spent 18 months there in 1946/7. A local historian told me about the St. Trinian’s connection.”

Given the opportunity Nick has provided us with a wider shot of the college from this angle. (RL)

Under cover of darkness, a contingent of girls from St. Trinian's break into The Ministry of Education where they exchange papers to ensure that they win a UNESCO competition with a prize of a tour of Europe. The Government Offices on Great George Street in SW1.

In daytime. SJ

The next morning, Culpepper Brown and Manton Bassett are devastated to learn that St. Trinian's have won the competition. These are the Government Offices on Great George Street seen from Parliament Square.

That tree seems a bit sudden even if it's 60 years. SJ

Wanting to hire coaches to take the winning school's pupils across the Continent, Manton Bassett (Richard Wattis) asks Charlie Bull (Kenneth Griffith) where he can find Captain Romney Carlton-Ricketts, the proprietor of Dreadnought Motor Traction Company.

Two ramshackle vehicles are chartered and driven to the school by the Captain and Charlie. Paul Brennan identifies this as the railway bridge on Holly Cross Road running between Ware and Stanstead Abbots in Hertfordshire which crosses the line from Buntingford to the junction at Great Amwell. The railway closed in 1964.

Paul

Towing an engineless coach, the Captain brings his vehicle to a stand outside the entrance to St. Trinian's. Easneye Children’s Home to the east of Ware located by Mike Hill.

It would appear that the limited opening times of the college's caffeteria do not enclourage coach parties as yet. (RL)

With a Lift Operator from the Ministry in charge of the tour, W.P.C. Ruby Gates posing as an interpreter and diamond thief Joe Mangan taking headmistress Dame Maud Hackshaw's place, the girl's cheer as the journey begins. Outside Easneye Children’s Home in Ware. Hertfordshire identified by Mike Hill.

A further wider comparative shot from Nick incorporating Spring sunshine and flowers. (RL)

Flash Harry's Heinkel Kabine leads the two Bedford coaches from the school.

Hanging from the open windows, the girls continue to cheer as they head for the coast. Located by PW, this is Cappell Lane in Stanstead Abbotts, Hertfordshire with St. Andrew's church in the background.

Cappell Lane and St. Andrew's Church captured by Nick Hadkiss.

Captain Carlton-Ricketts engages with Ruby Gates as the ferry from Dover takes the party across the English Channel. Off Dover with the white cliffs of the Kent coast in the left distance. Peter Brown tells us that he considers this capture as "a nice shot of Belgian Marine's MV Prince Baudouin (it seems to have a longer name than the similar Prins Albert) en route for Ostende. (RL)

The tour of Europe begins with a lacrosse match in Paris which shocks the spectators and threatens entente cordiale. Likely to be a stock shot of the Eiffel Tower in 7th arrondissement of Paris.

Having lost one of the coaches in Switzerland, the pupils of St. Trinian's make their way from Florence to Rome after playing a swing concert at the Vienna Festival.

After Ruby recognises Joe Mangan and Dame Maud presents herself to Superintendent Samuel Kemp-Bird, the girls arrive in Rome. The Piazza Navona in Rome with the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi to the centre identified by Simon James. The location can also be seen in several other productions including 'Locker Sixty Nine', 'Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow', 'The Seven Hills of Rome', 'The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone', 'To Rome with Love', 'The Adventurers' and 'Rome Adventure'.

The same piazza captured by SJ.

Having concealed the diamonds from his Hatton Garden robbery in a water polo ball, Joe Mangan retrieves it during a fight between the girls of St, Trinian's and their opponents at the Piscina Romana. Casa Pierleoni on Via di S.Giovanni Decollato. (SR)

The girls of St. Trinian's begin to chase Joe. The Spanish Steps, below the Trinity Church in Roma.

Now. SJ.

The shot follows the hoard of pupils as they run down the Spanish Steps. Looking down the Spanish Steps, from outside the Trinity Church. The steps have been seen in countless films including 'Roman Holiday', 'Seven Hills of Rome', 'The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone', 'The Talented Mr Ripley', 'Light in the Piazza' and 'If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium'.

SJ provides this comparison.

The chase continues through many of Rome's ancient landmarks. This is the Basilica of Massentio . . .

Now shot courtesy of Kevin Smith.

The Forum . . .

Comparison photo by Filipo, mille grazie!.

Looking towards the Coliseum from Piazza Santa Maria Nova . . .

Taken from a similar position.

In the background stands the Arch of Septimius Severus, which also features in 'Where the Spies Are', 'Light in the Piazza' and 'Roman Holiday'.

Kevin Smith provides this view.

The Arch of Constantine seen from the Colosseum . . .

Joe reaches the Coliseum and runs inside.

Inside looking east (not that I can recommend either the queue or the price to enter). SJ

Following Joe, the girls pour into the ancient Coliseum.

The same location now.

Joe runs through the ruins looking for a safe hiding place. Inside the Coliseum, which stands to the east of the Roman Forum.

Looking east. SJ

The girls cheer and scream as they run through the monument's colonnade. The colonnade of the Colosseum.

From a similar viewpoint by SJ.

More of Rome's Colosseum.

Looking down onto the main arena of the Coliseum.

Taken from a higher level, looking east but I should have been further to the left. SJ

A last view of the Coliseum on Piazza del Colosseo in Rome as Joe is cornered by his pursuers.

Rocks intact! SJ

Back home, a promoted Sergeant Ruby Gates (Joyce Grenfell) leaves the police station. The old Police Station on Waverley Road in Weybridge, Surrey. The building can also be seen in 'Pure Hell of St. Trinian's' and 'Make Mine a Million'.

Sitting next to Romney in his coach, Ruby asks the him to take her to Hill Crest Road to find Sammy. Facing Waverley Road from Melrose Road in Weybridge, Surrey located by David Parry.

Nick Boorman provides a more modern view.

Constable Samuel Kemp-Bird (Lloyd Lamble) pounds his beat. David Parry advises that this is facing north-east on Melrose Road in Weybridge, Surrey.

This shot of the little changed location is provided by Nick Boorman.

Blaming herself for the Superintendent's demotion. Ruby leaves Romney in the coach and calls to Sammy. David Parry identifies this as Melrose Road in Weybridge with St. Charles Primary School to the left. The school has been replaced by residential properties.

Nick Boorman found that the lamp post remains while confirming that the school building opposite has been replaced by houses.