Cat Gang, The (Children’s Film Foundation)

Mason (John Gabriel) stops at a signpost to check directions to Lyddington Creek.

In his open top sports car, Mason speeds into the town. Quay Road, Lymington. (SD)

Quay Road, viewed from the corner of Quay Street. (SD)

A cat runs across the road in front of the Allard. The corner of Quay Street and Lisle Court

There is now a souvenir shop on the corner. (SD)

Mason brakes and the car skids to a halt in front of Sylvia (Francesca Annis) who picks her cat Tiger up. Looking along Quay Road towards Quay Street in Lymington, Hampshire with the entrance to Lisle Court on the left.

Al Samujh returned to the location.

Bill Lockwood (Jeremy Bulloch) and John (John Pike) show an interest in Mason's Allard. The Quay, Lymington with The Ship Inn to the extreme right.

E. Dodds General Stores is now a fudge shop. (SD)

As Mason drives off to find Cherry Tree Farm, the boys tell Sylvia that she can't go with them after they bump into her. Quay Street in Lymington.

A brighter day greeted Al Samujh.

At the top of a cliff, Bill points to his Dad's fishing boat as it approaches land.

After tripping over a cable on the cliff top as they run, the two lads reach Cherry Tree Farm where John's Father finds them looking for a rope.

Returning to town, the pair run along the quayside to meet Bill's Dad. The Quay adjacent to the Town Slip with Quay Road in the background. The location also appears in 1974's 'Brief Encounter'.

In the background is Admiral's Court, a block of flats and holiday apartments, which was completed in 1972. It was built on the site of a boat builders yard. With thanks to St Barbe Museum for providing the details I needed. (SD)

Getting some rope from Mr. Lockwood, the boys are joined by Sylvia as they talk about climbing down the cliff to find a bird's nest. The Quay with since demolished buildings to the north of The Ship in the background.

The background buildings were replaced by Fishermans Quay, an apartment block, completed in 1986. (SD)

Sylvia remarks that bird nesting is cruel. In the right background stands the since demolished landing stage alongside Bath's Wharf.

Now with a clearer view of the railway bridge. (SD)

When Bill and John explain that they only make notes of where the eggs are, Sylvia agrees to draw a map for them. Town Slip running down to Lymington River with the bridge carrying the railway south from Lymington Town station in the distance.

Town Slip now by Al Samujh.

As the children call on Uncle to get paper and crayons from his shop, Mason makes his way to the church. Quay Hill in Lymington.

Just a few building alterations are apparent in Al Samujh's comparison.

Finding the church door locked, Mason spots the key behind a notice board. The entrance to the church of St. Thomas on High Street, Lymington.

The same door now by Al Samujh.

To get a good view of the town, John, Bill and Sylvia make their way to the church followed by Mr. Dodds (John Stacy).

Mason conceals himself as he leaves the church when he sees the children approach.

After spotting Banks the farmhand leaving the church, the children climb the tower.

The three look out over the harbour. Lymington Harbour with the railway running towards Lymington Pier station on the left and the tanks and warehouses of Town Quay to the bottom centre.

The warehouses have now been replaced by a car park. This is viewed from Admiral's Court. (SD)

Looking through John's binoculars, Sylvia watches a train cross the harbour bridge. The Ship Inn stands on the left and the railway bridge over Lymington River crosses the scene.

Another view from Admiral's Court, which includes a train crossing the bridge. (SD)

When they find a cigarette end whilst surveying the town, the children speculate that Banks or Mason had been to the top of the tower. Bath Road Recreation Ground, Bath Road, Lymington. (SD)

Now with a replacement wall and many more boats. (SD)

Bill, John and Sylvia continue to map nests containing eggs around the town. The Cut Bridge, Keyhaven Marshes, Keyhaven, Hampshire. (SD)

A wooden bridge has replaced the Bailey Bridge. In the distance is Hurst Spit, with Hurst Point Lighthouse just visible. (SD)

Taking groceries to Banks's cottage for Mr. Dodds, the children notice a china cat in the window. The east side of Quay Street, Lymington.

Banks's cottage is now a souvenir shop. (SD)

Leaving the groceries on the doorstep, John tells his pals that Banks has only been working for his Dad for a couple of weeks. Facing south on Quay Street in Lymington.

Banks's cottage is to the left of where I'm standing. (SD)

As they walk away from the cottage Sylvia notices Banks (Paddy Joyce) talking with Mason. Lisle Court seen from the junction with Quay Street.

Al Samujh captured the easily recognisable thoroughfare.

On the cliff tops, John examines the cable that Bill tripped on earlier.

The young detectives find a battery and Morse tapper in the cove below the cliff and return to the church. Beyond the foreground buildings stands St. Thomas' church. Viewed from Emsworth Road Recreation Ground. (SD)

A slightly more obscured view of the church. (SD)

Reaching the top of the church tower, Bill sees Mason and Banks walking away across the graveyard. The view north from St. Thomas' church on St. Thomas's Street in Lymington.

Moving to the other side of the tower, John discovers a light attached to the belfry.

Finding themselves locked inside the church, the children shout and wave at Uncle Dodds on the quayside. Looking down onto The Quay with the Ship Inn to the top right.

I overlooked this one when I was there, but I had taken a photo which, although viewed much closer, is quite a good match. (SD)

After the friends are rescued by Mr. Dodds, Ted Lockwood (Frank Hayden) and Tug Wilson (Patrick Crean) study Sylvia's map showing the course of the wire. The Quay at Lymington in Hampshire.

This dock is a working area for fishermen and most of the time the gate is locked. (SD)

Tug telephones the Customs House at Littleport and Officers are dispatched to Lyddington Creek. Lymington Town Sailing Club, Bath House, Bath Road, Lymington. (SD)

I was told that the building was added to in the 1970s. (SD)

Mason and his Accomplice disguise a stolen Morris PV van.

Finding Sylvia's map at the shop while buying paraffin, Banks runs home and removes the china cat from his window. Quay Road in Lymington.

No china cats in this much larger window. (SD)

Mason checks his watch when he can't see the all clear signal in Banks's window. Quay Road, Lymington, beside the Town Slip. (SD)

A family of swans relaxing beside the Town Slip. (SD)

When Mason's Accomplice asks for a match to light his cigarette, the two crooks visit Uncle's shop to buy a box while Sylvia puts Tiger in Banks's window.

Al Samujh provides this modern view taken 66 years on.

After the crooks set off from the quayside, John starts Mr. Dodds old Trojan Utility and he and the children set off in pursuit. The Trojan Utility still exists and is on display at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu. (SD)

Al Samujh found that the formerly empty street corner is now occupied by a trader of seaside gifts.

After passing the gates off Cherry Tree Farm, the crooks' carry on to the cove.

Reaching the cove just ahead of the crooks, Bill and John send a Morse signal to the light on the church. St. Thomas' church in Lymington.

With a restricted view from ground level, Al Samujh captured the church dome from a different angle.

Mason and his Accomplice begin to unload the van as a small boat heads to shore.