Clue of the Missing Ape, The (Children’s Film Foundation)

After Sea Cadet Jimmy Sutton is injured whilst rescuing Lieutenant-Commander Collier from his burning Fairey Firefly following a crash, his Unit races against the Old Carefuls at Ridgebury Regatta without him.

"In, out, in, out . . ." the Coxswain spurs the D Unit Rowers on as Jimmy cheers from the waters edge.

Sea Cadets and their Officers line the riverbank,

The two teams are almost neck and neck as the boats approach a bridge.

"In, out, in, out . . . "

When D Unit wins, Jimmy Sutton (Roy Savage) congratulates the Coxswain as he's carried through the cheering Crowd.

Jimmy Sutton is told that he's to go on a trip with Lieutenant-Commander Collier (William Patrick) as a reward for his bravery.

Suspecting that the Lieutenant-Commander's crash was due to sabotage, Rear Admiral McCormack sends him to Gibraltar accompanied by Jimmy. Looking towards Sandy Bay, Gibraltar with the Water Catchments visible on the eastern cliffs of the Rock of Gibraltar.

With Jimmy sitting in the cockpit beside him, the Lieutenant-Commander points out the Rock of Gibraltar.

Jimmy looks down at the ships in the harbour as the plane descends to land. The Dockyard at Gibraltar.

The plane flies over Pilar Ellis (Nati Banda) as she plays cricket with her friends. In the background stands the 18th century King's Bastion between Line Wall Road and Queensway Road.

The balustrade remains, albeit broken by the lift to Campion Park, and the King's Bastion is just about visible through the trees. PW

When Luis (Luis Ellul) bowls underarm, the ball to hit the wicket as Pilar remembers that she has to be at the airport. The terrace adjacent to King's Bastion with buildings on Line Wall Road as the backdrop.

The background buildings remain in place. PW

The Avro Anson touches down. Looking south towards The Rock from Gibraltar Airport.

Rushing from the town, Pilar runs through the airport to meet her Father. Gibraltar Airport.

Petty Officer Ellis (Marcus Simpson) remarks "Only jut in time" as his Daughter reaches him.

Lieutenant-Commander Collier and Jimmy get into the waiting Morris Minor Tourer with Petty Officer Ellis and Pilar. Gibraltar Airport.

After enemy agent Mr. Palmer (Patrick Boxill) arrives on the BEA flight from England, Gobo (George Cole) opens the door of his battered Wolseley Hornet for him before Matty (John Ocello) drives the pair from the airport.

While Lieutenant-Commander Collier and Petty Officer Ellis go to the diving school, Pilar takes Jimmy to see the monkeys of Gibraltar.

The two Youngsters climb through the stepped streets. Castle Street in Gibraltar town.

The steps have been beautified. PW

Reaching the slopes of the Rock. the pair approach a Gunner.

The Gunner explains to Jimmy that there are around forty apes, and he knows them all by name, before questions are asked about the local legend of Gibraltar falling to enemies if the animals should ever die out or disappear.

When the Gunner reports to his Officer that another ape is missing, making seven in total, the troops return to headquarters.

Jimmy and Pilar watch as the Army truck passes before discovering that Gobo is feeding poison to one of the apes nearby.

Alerting Lieutenant-Commander Collier and Petty Officer Ellis, they and the Children investigate before returning to town when no dead apes are found.

Jimmy and Pilar buy a newspaper when they spot a headline about the disappearing apes. Main Street, facing the Parliament Building that fronts John Mackintosh Square.

There are still kiosks at the location but they are positioned differently and now serve coffee. PW

Mr. Palmer tells Gibraltarians that it looks like a case of rats leaving a sinking ship as they read about the rock apes dying.

Returning to the Rock, the Youngsters chase Gobo after disturbing him as he feeds poison to another ape.

As he runs down a flight of steps, Gobo collides with Luis and his barrow full of oranges. Facing east on Castle Street with Castle Steps on the left and the corner of New Passage (Calle Peligro) to the right.

Extensions upwards are apparent at the corner. PW

With Jimmy and Pilar catching up with him, Gobo steals a bicycle. Grand Casemates Square in Gibraltar town centre.

The far side of the square has been redeveloped but the background buildings prove the location. PW

The Youngsters watch Gobo ride away before getting into a waiting gharry. Grand Casemates Square with the Grand Casements in the left background.

Casemates Square is now full of eateries. PW

Seeing what is happening, Mr. Palmer runs over to wake the sleeping Matty. Facing north-east in Grand Casemates Square.

Not the easiest shot to recreate due to "dining opportunities", but the background casemates remain in place.

The gharry keeps up with Gobo as he cycles through the sun lit streets. The sign on the wall to the left reads Old Waterport Gates and this is Corra Road at the North Bastion with the Grand Casemates Gates in the right background.

Looking towards the bus terminus. PW

Mr. Palmer's taxi follows the gharry that's chasing Gobo.

A roundabout is comically negotiated.

Gobo heads for a tunnel. The entrance to Williams Way on Catalan Bay Road.

The pursuit continues through a tunnel.

Reappearing in daylight, Gobo parks the bike at the top of a flight of steps and continues on foot. Looking towards the entrance of Williams Way above Catalan Bay village seen from Sir Herbert Miles Road.

Taken through the bars of the heavy gates that prevent access to the tunnel. PW

Seeing the bike resting against a wall, Jimmy and Pilar alight from the gharry to follow Gobo. Although the area above Catalan Bay has been extensively built over, there are steps still lead down from Sir Herbert Miles Road.

The top of the rebuilt steps begin their descent at the same spot but redevelopment has eaten away the rest of the fight. PW

Mr. Palmer tells Matty to wait before making his way down the steps towards Gobo's hideout. Looking south on Sir Herbert Miles Road, the northern section of today's Brian Navarro Way, above Catalan Bay village.

A newer wall and road markings. PW

Jimmy and Pilar watch Gobo enter his house before being caught by Mr. Palmer. Catalan Bay on the east side of Gibraltar.

Escaping from Gobo and Mr. Palmer, Jimmy and Pilar run back the way they came. Catalan Bay, at the lower end of the steps and pathway from Sir Herbert Miles Road.

The Children double back when Matty appears at the bottom of the steps.

Mr. Palmer, Gobo and Matty follow Pilar and Jimmy when they climb over a wall. Catalan Bay, where a similar view can be seen in 'Wonderful Things'.

A Fisherman sews a net as Pilar and Jimmy race past chased by Mr. Palmer, Gobo and Matty. La Calle de la Pompa at Catalan Bay with thanks to boat-builder Gerald Lopez who revealed the name of the unsigned street.

Gerald Lopez explains that boatbuilding has been carried out on the street for many years. PW

The Children reach the shore and climb into a leaking boat without a rudder in which they set out to sea. Catalan Bay village on the East Side of Gibraltar.

Rebuilding is obvious, as is the redevelopment of the village. PW

During the long search for the Children, a message is received from the RAF that they have been found and a launch is sent to rescue them.

Acting on Jimmy and Pilar's report about the apes being poisoned, a Detail is sent to Gobo's cottage.

Whilst watching boats fishing for tuna, Pilar and Jimmy catch sight of Gobo and a team of Frogmen on one of the vessels.

As Jimmy tries to get a better view from the beach, Pilar escapes when the crooks begin to row ashore after spotting her. This is the bottom of a system of Water Catchments constructed to collect rainwater to supply the territory.

Gobo and Mr. Palmer reach the Water Catchments and begin to climb after Pilar. With construction beginning in 1903, the Water Catchments covering the Great Gibraltar Sand Dune were expanded over the next 58 years.

While Jimmy swims out to Gobo's boat, Pilar climbs into a funicular railway car as it starts to move. The Water Catchments were constructed of creosote treated timber covered with corrugated iron sheets.

With no other choice, Mr. Palmer and Gobo climb the steep steps next to the railway. With the last expansion completed in 1961, the Water Catchments were dismantled between 2001 and 2006.

Reaching to top of the cliff, Pilar hurries away as the two Criminals reach the railway car. Although traces of the infrastructure remain, the area once covered by the Water Catchments has been restored to nature.

Gobo and Mr. Palmer follow Pilar through a series of chambers inside the cliff.

Appearing from the caves, Pilar makes her way across a gun emplacement.

Pilar heads down a flight of steps leading to the town. St. Michael Road at the top of Upper King Charles V Wall, a defensive wall dating from 1540.

An elevator has been added. PW

Gobo and Mr. Palmer reach the flight of steps and follow Pilar. The steps of Upper King Charles V Wall leading down from the ridge above Gibraltar town.

The restored steps reopened to the public in 2008. PW

The Crooks give up the chase and return to their boat when they see Pilar fall from the steps and roll down the steep hill. Looking down Upper King Charles V Wall with buildings on Red Sands Road crossing the scene in front of the Dockyard visible to the top.

Taken from the top of the steps through low clouds, but I think you can get the idea. PW

Recovering herself, Pilar holds her arm as she limps into town to where Luis is sorting oranges.

Luis helps Pilar onto his barrow when she tells him that she has to find her Father.

In the town, Petty Officer Ellis and Lieutenant-Commander Collier search for the Children. The corner of Castle Steps and Hospital Ramp.

The same corner. PW

Falling from his barrow, oranges roll after him as Luis wheels Pilar down a steep hill. The water channel running alongside Castle Steps with the junction of Castle Street and Castle Ramp visible through the arch.

A little unkempt now. PW

A group of Children sitting on the road dive out of the way as Luis and Pilar rush through the middle of them.

As Lieutenant-Commander Collier climbs from the opposite direction, Luis bumps Pilar down a flight steps. The junction of Castle Steps and Hospital Ramp with New Passage out of view to the right.

73 years later. PW

The inevitable collision occurs. The junction of Castle Street and Castle Ramp.

No collisions about to happen when I arrived on the scene. PW

After Pilar explains to Lieutenant-Commander Collier about the Frogmen, Troops patrol the Dockyard while Enemy Agents set off to apply limpet mines to the dock gates, ships and a submarine in the harbour.

With the Enemy Frogmen captured, Petty Officer Ellis watches as Navy Frogman struggle to remove the last limpet mine from the dock gate.

Disguised as Sailors, Gobo and Mr. Palmer are chased through the Dockyard before being apprehended.