Boys in Brown
Date: 1949
Director: Montgomery Tully
Production Company: Gainsborough
Stars: Richard Attenborough, Jack Warner, Dirk Bogarde, Jimmy Hanley
Location(s): London, Home counties
Region(s): London A-B, South East A-D
Storyline:
Sympathetic look at life inside a borstal where an escape attempt goes wrong.
Additional Information:
All stills by SJ.
With reference to Greg’s information aboutCapture 9, also see the following sites
http://www.maps.thehunthouse.net/Streets/Old_to_New_London_Street_Name_Changes.htm, and http://www.rayment.info/general/road_name_changes/14_2A_Inner_London_Streets_Old_Names.html
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
- 'Now' required
A robbery at a jeweller's, could be called F.M. Bond.
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
Outside the jeweller's next to a chemist.
- Capture 3
- 13 Sep 2009
Attenborough makes a run from the failed getaway car. This is Westbourne Grove at the bottom of Queensway, West London. The cinema is the old ABC and is still there as a TGI Friday's restaurant. Aidan McManus sent this one in, well done Aidan, and thank you. Well for those of you who didn't know, like me, 'TGI Friday' stands for Thank God it's Friday, an American style retaurant chain.
Now. SJ.
- Capture 4
- 29 May 2011
Panning left. This is the bottom of Queensway where it meets Westbourne Grove, the pub is still there called The Redan. More good sleuthing from Aidan, many thanks. The Redan, as some of you will know, was a fortified Russian position in the battle of Inkerman, during the Crimean War.
Now. SJ
- Capture 5
- 13 Sep 2009
Booth Auctioneer House and does that sign say York Way? Camden Road and Brecknock Road, and yes, York Way, north London. The sticking out bit to the left of the lamp-post was my home some 30 years ago, 286 Camden Road! JT.
The Booth is still visible, just, at 408 York Way, along with a nice clear shot of Camden Road desirable residences, London N7. SJ.
- Capture 6
- 13 Aug 2009
And Attenborough crosses the road. Pub on the left, in my day was the Brecknock Arms, corner of Brecknock and Camden Roads.
Across Camden Road to Brecknock Road, London N7. The Brecknock Arms is now called the Unicorn. SJ.
- Capture 7
- 22 Aug 2017
Looking along North Road towards Caledonian Road with the old Caledonian Market on the right and The Lamb public house in the right distance. Location found by Greg.
In the right distance, the roof of The Lamb can just be made out over the tree tops. (PW)
- Capture 8
- 22 Aug 2017
Another street with Attenborough still on the run. Wynford Road, Islington, London N7 before redevelopment says Denis Field and Ray Glenister agrees adding that Muriel Street is the first turning on the left
Showing a great deal of reconstruction with this comparison that replaces Ray's Google shot. (PW)
- Capture 9
- 22 Aug 2017
Chris Mattheson advises that Tilley's shop was at 17 Wynford Road N1. Number 13 Wynford Road was next to 17, according to Kelly's Street Directory (both 1941 and 1954), on the corner of Fife Terrace which was formerly Little Cumming Street and Ray Glenister concurs.
A quick look at 'Old Maps' confirms that Little Cumming Street was renamed as Fife Street and lay a little to the west of today's Fife Street. (PW)
- Capture 10
- 24 Jul 2021
An alleyway. Ray Glenister provides evidence that this was not an "alleyway" but Hartland Grove. (RL)

And Denis Hoare provides evidence of how it is now whatever it might have been. (RL)
- Capture 11
- 24 Jul 2021
The alleyway reverse PoV. A Reverse Point of View of Hartland Grove says Ray with those two "posts" not only on the map he provided but in bib013. Now forming part of a multi use games court. (RL)

Denis did a good job lining up that railway arch. (RL)
- Capture 12
- 13 Aug 2009
North London-ish. We saw these houses before in It Always Rains on Sunday, Hawley Road, one time Leybourne Road, North London and Flame in the Streets and also Tall Guy…do you remember…?????
Now. Hawley Road formerly Leybourne Road, London NW1.
- Capture 13
- 24 Jul 2021
Attenborough is captured.

Ray has located the capture spot as the western end of Hartland Grove off Hartland Road just before its intersection with Clarence Way. Denis took this shot to replace the Google Earth View that Ray sent, together with a map, supporting his identification of what is now a vastly different area. (RL)
- Capture 14
- 'Now' required
Warner visits a country house.

