Christmas Tree, The (1966) (Children’s Film Foundation)

Good King Wenceslas plays as the usual CFF logo switches to a night time view of Trafalgar Square complete with a Christmas tree.

Tree-free. SJ

On the day before Christmas Eve at St. Vincents Hospital in London, Gary Sutton is being discharged and bets that he can provide a Christmas tree by six o'clock the next day for the children who will be spending the festive season in the ward.

Regretting his promise once he gets home, Gary spots a suitable tree growing in the garden. The rear of a property on Farnham Lane in Slough, Buckinghamshire with buildings on Kidderminster Road crossing the background.

Early on Christmas Eve, Gary Sutton (William Burleigh) enlists the help of his sister Jane (Kate Nicholls) and brother Sam and they cut down the tree in the back garden while their parents are still in bed. Farnham Lane, Slough, in Berkshire since 1974.

Another garage has been added with fortifications. (SR)

Having left a note which blows behind the cooker as they close the back door, Jane, Gary and Sam (Anthony Honour) set off. Farnham Lane in Slough.

Christmas tree replaced by cypress. (SR)

The children begin the thirty mile journey to London to deliver the tree before 6pm. Facing west on Farnham Lane, Slough in Buckinghamshire.

The view down the road today. (SR)

At the railway station, a Porter directs Gary, Jane and Sam to the parcel office.

Inside the parcel office, chaos is caused by the unwieldy tree as parcels and a box of ducklings are upset. Looking out through a window at Felixstowe Town station on Hamilton Road in Felixstowe, Suffolk identified by Robert Shrives.

Andrew Price gives us the exterior view without the window adding that the original Great Eastern station is now largely given over to retail with railway passengers having to navigate a supermarket car park to get to the current station. The parcels office currently appears to be part of a bar called "Chuffers".

Discovering that it would cost 18/6 to send the tree to London by train, the children leave the station and spot a poster advertising the bus.

Making their way to the bus station, Gary, Jane and Sam join the queue for the London bus. The bus station on Bridge Avenue, Maidenhead in Berkshire located by Howard Berry.

With the tree causing more mayhem on the upper deck, the bus departs when bell is accidentally pushed. Maidenhead bus station with Pendine, later St. Ives House, on St. Ives Road in the background.

As the children’s Mother discovers that they are missing and Father finds the family Christmas tree has disappeared, the passengers on board the bus suffer the tree as it is pushed and pulled about on the top deck. A seemingly un-named road at the time of filming, this became Fulbeck Drive at Hendon Aerodrome on the boundary between Colindale NW9 and Edgware.

Surviving properties stand to the right. (PW)

Standing at the side of the road after being thrown off the bus, Gary suggests that they hitch hike to which Jane replies they should ask Mum and Dad first. A pan left finds the road linking Angus Gardens to Fulbeck Drive with Albany Court to the top left and properties on Blundell Road in the right background.

The link is now known as Folkingham Lane. (PW)

After Gary sends Sam back home, the youngster follows his older siblings. This is the corner of Bridge Road and Station Road in Bagshot, Surrey.

Taking this comparison, David O'Donogue explains that the location is opposite the entrance to the Duke and Countess of Wessex’s residence. At the time of filming it was used by the Army Chaplains who put up a notice by the pond saying, “Don’t walk on the water”!

A little way ahead of Sam, his brother and sister try to thumb a lift with no success. London Road in Bagshot with properties on High Street in the distance.

Jane reads from a sign as they approach a roadside café. The sign is for “Bert’s Gone Mad” and it stand beside London Road in Bagshot.

David O'Donogue uses the background building as proof the location.

Realising that they left home without having breakfast, the pair decide to stop for something to eat. Facing northeast on London Road with the junction of Bridge Road in the centre distance.

From a similar position by David O'Donogue.

Gary and Jane stand the Christmas tree up outside the café. Bert’s Café on London Road, Bagshot.

Having left the café as the children enter, a Man reloads fallen Christmas trees onto his Land Rover after accidentally reversing into a dustbin. Bert’s Café on London Road. The building survives as a fish & chips restaurant.

From inside the café, Jane spots Sam climbing into the back of the Land Rover. Looking out from Bert’s Transport Café onto London Road.

Gary and Jane run outside, calling to the Man. Facing London Road from the forecourt of Bert’s café with the since demolished house named Ludlow to the right of centre.

Managing to get a lift from a kindly Motorcyclist, Garry and Jane set off in pursuit of their little brother. On the far side of London Road, the garage premises have become a car wash.

Oblivious that he’s taken an extra tree and unaware that a young lad has climbed into the open back of his Land Rover, the Man speeds onward. Back to Hendon Aerodrome in Colindale, this is the northern perimeter track with buildings on Blundell Road, Edgware in the background.

The junction of Clayton Field and Link Lea. (PW)

Sitting in between the stacked Christmas trees, Sam looks out towards the motorcycle combination approaching from behind. Facing east on the northern perimeter track at Hendon Aerodrome with the railway running between Mill Hill Broadway and Hendon crossing the background and properties on Bunns Lane NW7 in the left distance. Other views of the aerodrome can be seen in 'The Sky Bike' released in 1967.

Now, facing east on Field Mead. (PW)

From the sidecar of the combination, Gary shouts across to the Man in the Land Rover. One of the runways running north to south at Hendon Aerodrome in London NW9, the site of which is now occupied by the Grahame Park housing estate.

This is an approximation of the location, looking east from Long Mead. (PW)

Eventually, the Man brings his vehicle to a stand and Sam is soon reunited with his brother and sister along with the Christmas tree. The northern perimeter track at Hendon Aerodrome with the rear of homes on Fulbeck Drive in the background.

The background buildings in the screen capture can be seen behind the tree in this view from Heywood Avenue. (PW)

Wishing a merry Christmas to the Men, the children turn away to walk the final five miles to London. The long lost northern perimeter track at Hendon Aerodrome in London. While the background homes still stand, the foreground is now covered by Heywood Avenue NW9.

The roof of a terrace on Fulbeck Drive can be glimpsed between the buildings. (PW)

With the children reported being seen at "Bert's Gone Mad", a Policeman runs from the Police Station. The Police Station on Dean Street in Marlow, Buckinghamshire.

Antony Blair took this shot of the replacement building.

The Constable runs towards an unmarked Ford Zephyr. The parking area adjacent to the Police Station on Dean Street in Marlow.

With their orders received, the Officers inside 'G for George' leave the Police Station. Dean Street in Marlow.

A different scene now from Antony.

The camera follows the car onto the main road. Dean Street, Marlow with the corner of Trinity Street to the right of centre and the Cross Keys public house at the junction of Chapel Street and Spittal Street to the top right.

Antony Blair found a more recognisable view.

Finding themselves now 28 miles from London the children attempt to thumb a lift again.

As the Police turn up at Bert's Café, the children manage to get a lift from a kindly old Motorist. Bert’s Café on London Road, Bagshot in Surrey.

When his veteran car breaks down, Gary, Jane and Sam leave the Motorist (Sydney Bromley) tinkering with the engine of the Renault Tourer and continue on foot.

The three sing carols as they march on.

With their sight obscured by the branches of the tree, the children take the wrong route at a fork in the road.

Three miles on, Gary, Jane and Sam reach the river at the end of the no through road. Ferry Lane in Medmenham, Buckinghamshire.

Malcolm Tinnelly captured the same location.

Helping them to cross the river, a team of Workmen wave at the children as they rise above the water. The disused Medmenham Ferry Jetty on the River Thames at the end of Ferry Lane, Medmenham.

Walking along The Thames Path from Marlow to Henley-on-Thames provided an opportunity for Malcolm Tinnelly who took this view across river looking across towards Ferry Lane.

The bucket that the siblings are travelling in splashes into the river as they try to recover the tree after it falls into the water. The Medmenham Ferry Landing Stage on the south bank of the Thames in Berkshire with the Medmenham Ferry Memorial in the right distance which commemorates Lord Devonport's successful 1899 defence of the public right-of-way over the ferry.

Malcolm Tinnelly found that many of the elements from the screen capture still remain.

Running down river, the kids reach a weir. Hambleden Weir on the River Thames in Berkshire with properties on the A4155 lining the far bank. The location can be seen in 'Personal Affair'.

The same equipment seems to be in situ in Malcolm Tinnelly's comparison.

Gary and Jane look into the foaming water to see if they can spot the tree. Hambleden Weir with Hambleden Mill in the right of centre distance.

Malcolm recreates the shot.

An Angler (Alan Gerrard) helps to recover the tree from the river. Hambleden Weir on the River Thames as it flows through Berkshire.

Again, the same walkway revisited by Malcolm Tinnelly.

Becoming tired, Jane suggests that they take a rest.

While they shelter from the wind in a cart, the children just miss the police car as it reverses into the field's gateway before driving away in response to a robbery at the Pinnacle Toy Factory.

At the toy factory, the Manager (Noel Davis) and his Staff await the arrival of a Nurse to attend an injured employee. Outside the offices of a now demolished engineering works standing between Berwick Avenue and Malton Avenue on Slough Trading Estate in Buckinghamshire with another works on Buckingham Avenue in the left distance.

With bells ringing, the Police Car comes into view. Looking south along Leigh Road and the bridge over the Great Western Main Line in Slough.

Taking the first right, the Ford Zephyr turns to park at the factory. The corner of Leigh Road and Berwick Avenue on Slough Trading Estate.

When the Policemen (Brian Blessed and Geoffrey Whitehead) arrive, the Manager describes the Crooks who carried out the robbery and the white American car that they drove away in. This is the entrance to offices of the since demolished engineering works standing between Berwick Avenue and Malton Avenue.

As the Officers learn that over £1000 had been stolen, the children reach a roundabout on a main road. Antony Blair locates this as Five Points roundabout in Iver Heath. Buckinghamshire adding that the location can be seen in 'What a Whopper'.

The roundabout is still as busy in Antony Blair's modern view.

Having picked up the children in their Ford Galaxie 500, the Criminals turn off the road to London.

As the car approaches the village of Humbledown, Sam opens a briefcase he finds in the back of the car and starts to take out banknotes and a gun. Ahead is the highly recognisable village of Hambleden in Berkshire.

Antony Blair also approached the village.

Realising that they have been captured by Crooks, Jane and Gary start to throw the proceeds from the payroll snatch through the car windows. The main street through Hambleden with The Stag & Huntsman public house in the left of centre distance.

There wasn't a note left when Antony turned up.

A Gentleman out on a walk is overjoyed to find money lying on the road. Outside The Stag & Huntsman in Hambleden.

More recently, Antony Blair faced the same way.

Jane prepares to throw another wad of pound notes from the car.

The Vicar walks ahead as Choirboys jump up to catch more cash as it falls from the sky. Looking from the Lych gate towards St. Mary the Virgin church in Hambleden.

Taken from a similar position by Antony Blair.

Money continues to fly out of the car's rear windows. Hambleden with The Smithy on the extreme right.

Taken from a similar position by Malcolm Tinnelly.

Notes fall around two Ambulance Men who put down their Patient to collect the cash. A sign turns this cottage on the lane to Pheasant’s Hill in Hambleden into a hospital.

A wider shot of the cottage by Antony Blair.

The village becomes littered with lolly. The village pump in Hambleden which also features in ‘Child’s Play’.

The trough has been changed, as Antony Blair's comparison shows, but the pump appears to be the same one.

Money is hooked from a stream by a Man fishing. This is the culvert carrying water into Hambleden Brook on the road running south from the village with Hambleden Institute in the right background.

Taken from a safe spot by Antony.

Rivalry erupts between the Butcher and a Shopkeeper. The village of Hambleden appears in many productions including 'Dance with a Stranger', 'A Month in the Country', 'Nanny McPhee Returns', 'Into the Woods', 'Candleshoe', 'Rollin' with the Nines', ‘The Avengers’, 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang', ‘Murder is Easy’, 'Young and Innocent', ‘The Legacy’, ‘Death on the Nile’, ‘A Bunch of Amateurs’, ‘Another Country’, ‘The Witches’, ‘The Black Cat’, 'Diamonds on Wheels', ‘The Blue Geranium’, 'The Captive Heart' and ‘Hampstead’.

The fighting was over by the time Antony Blair arrived on the scene.

The Postman, a Doctor and other villagers scramble about in the square. The road in front of St. Mary the Virgin church in Hambleden.

The same location captured by Antony.

The local Bobby calls headquarters and 'G for George' is redirected to Humbledown. The A412 Uxbridge Road to the north-east of George Green in Buckinghamshire with Avenue Drive in the centre background, located by Richard Bennett.

Leaving the village behind, the Crooks head into the countryside. Malcolm Tinnelly discovered the view over Hambleden Brook.

Malcolm found it difficult to get the same angle as the footage was shot from the other side of Hambleden Brook, which is not accessible from the public footpath and was occupied by grazing sheep and lambs when he visited.

The local Bobby flags down 'G for George' before directing them after the Crooks. Hambleden in Buckinghamshire with The Stag & Huntsman to the right.

Antony Blair vies for position with parked cars for this shot.

With the children still throwing money from the car, the Galaxie is driven through a farm yard.

The Policemen follow the paper trail of notes before catching up with the Criminals in a muddy field.

The Inspector tells Fred (Anthony Baird) and Mrs. Sutton (Doreen Keogh) that he has an idea where their offspring are as they leave the Police Station. The now demolished Police Station on Dean Street, Marlow in Buckinghamshire.

Not wanting to lose time by giving statements, Gary, Jane and Sam leave the farm and continue across country where they come across an equestrian statue in the middle of nowhere. The Duke of Wellington Monument on Round Hill off Claycart Road in Aldershot, Hampshire.

Originally in Hyde Park Corner, moved to Aldershot in 1885, restored in 2004, and still there today. (SR)

Nearby, military manoeuvres are taking place.

After the children are found in the target area, they are taken to the Guard Room at the camp where a Corporal arranges transport to take them to London.

Helped by the Platoon, Gary, Jane and Sam get into the back of an Austin 301 truck with their tree and wish everyone a Merry Christmas as they depart.

Accompanied by the Inspector, Mr. and Mrs. Sutton approach a road block set up by the police. Antony Blair recognised Winford Parade of shops in Southall in Greater London adding that Groves, to the right, used to be a hardware and oil store.

Time has moved on at the location, here captured by Antony.

As cars are checked, Mr. and Mrs. Sutton wait on the pavement ready to assist in identifying their children. Looking north-eat along Telford road in Southall located by Antony Blair (AB).

Taken from a similar position by Antony.

Mrs. Sutton points to an approaching Mini Traveller with a Christmas tree tied to it's roof. Telford Road again, looking towards number 17 and upwards. (AB)

A good match by Antony.

The truck from the Army camp pulls up near the road block. Outside numbers 21 and 23 Telford Road, Southall. (AB)

Easily recognisable. (AB)

Hearing the chimes of a Tonibell ice cream van, Sam jumps from the back of the truck. Antony Blair identifies this as Telford Road, near the shops on Winford Parade in the Dormer's Well area of Southall.

Antony provides another comparison view of the street.

As Gary and Jane run towards their little brother, the truck they have been travelling in pulls away. Facing south-east on Telford Road, Southall in Greater London. (AB)

No ice cream van on this chilly morning. (AB)

When the Austin truck from the Army camp is stopped at the road block, the Driver tells Mr. and Mrs. Sutton that the children are in the back. Telford Road again, with Southall, Norwood Eventide Home in the background beyond the telephone box. (AB)

The background building is now styled as Telford Lodge Nursing Home. (AB)

After finding the back of the truck empty except for the Christmas tree, the Inspector tells Mr. and Mrs. Sutton that he's received a radio message that the children are heading for St. Vincents Hospital. Antony Blair advises that this is looking east on Faraday Road, Southall with St. Andrew's Tower under construction on the Golf Links Estate in the top left distance.

Now, with Sheringham Tower also completed in the right distance, where Antony used to live from 1969.

Having climbed back into the truck whilst statements were being given, the children are carried on towards London. Facing west on The Broadway, Uxbridge Road in Southall with Hayes Gate House in the right distance beyond Hayes Bridge.

Antony stepped into the bus lane for this shot.

The Truck Driver (Alan Lake) stops outside a café. Opposite Berresford Road on The Broadway, part of Uxbridge Road in Hayes.

A seemingly more rural view by Antony some 54 years on.

With his Mate, the Driver heads inside for a cup of tea and a wad. The Jubilee Café at 198 The Broadway, Uxbridge Road in Hayes with the Territorial Army Centre in the left background. The café building still exists albeit in an altered state and the TA premises have been replaced.

Antony found that the café has become a tyre and exhaust centre.

Surmising that they aren't far from London, the children get out of the ruck. Uxbridge Road in Hayes, Greater London with the Waggon & Horses public house to the left. The pub was closed and demolished around 2008 while the tower block behind, once called Sunrise Plaza and Hayes Gate House, has been refurbished and is currently a hotel known as the Hyatt Place West London Hayes.

The background building has had a makeover in Antony's comparison.

As evening draws in, the three attempt to thumb a lift once more. This is facing north from the bridge taking Uxbridge Road over the Grand Union Canal in Hayes.

A new background building and foreground railings grace Antony's image while the canal is masked by the willow tree.

With less than an hour and a half to go before six o'clock, Jane notices a lorry slowing down. The north side of Uxbridge Road, to the west of Hayes Bridge located by AB.

The site of the office block with the clock is now a storage depot . . . with a lighthouse! (AB)

Leading a convoy of vehicles, the Martins Circus lorry stops and picks up the children. Uxbridge Road, Hayes with the gasholder at Southall Gasworks beyond the tyre factory belonging to R. Woolf and Co. Rubber Ltd.

Nothing from the screen capture has survived, as Antony Blair's view shows.

In the trailer being towed by the circus lorry, Joey the Clown, Pete the Juggler, Pepito and Jiji the dog entertain Gary, Jane and Sam as they make their way to St Vincents Hospital. Piccadilly Circus in London W1.

I feel I should move more to the left and perhaps we should wait for the scaffolding to come down. SJ