Collector, The

During the opening credits, a young man roams the fields and meadows of the Kent countryside in search of butterflies.

During his wandering, he comes across a remote country house that attracts his attention. Beautiful house near Tunbridge Wells, in Kent, in Edenbridge. Info from Tony Reeves. Filmed at Gabriels Manor, Marsh Green Road, Marsh Green, Edenbridge, Kent. Sleuthed by David Claydon.

As he approaches the gate to the courtyard, he discovers that the property is for sale. A number of people have brought to our attention the fact that the property was for sale through Howard Cundey in Edenbridge, Kent and that there stills on the Internet that would match some of our captures. In view of the difficulty of obtaining "now" shots for this property we have written to Howard Cundey, who own the copyright of the photographs, seeking permission to use some with due acknowledgement. Regrettably, they have not had the courtesy to respond. (RL)

After making sure that no one is nearby, he simply climbs over the gate secured by a chain ...

... to explore the grounds of the manor... "I went there today but there's no way you can get onto the road leading up to the house without trespassing and believe me, I tried!" David Claydon reports.

In the rear part of the property, he notices a low extension ...

Curious, he takes the steps, which, like those to a crypt, lead down to an unlocked doorway.

After discovering a dungeon-like cellar behind the anteroom, Freddie Clegg (Terence Stamp) looks around pensive, also thanks to a recently won sports bet that allows him to buy the property... There's an electronic gate to the main entrance and fencing with barbed wire round the whole property. Just as well you weren't fried, skewered and barbecued, David!

Now Freddie is no longer Collector, but Hunter. Lurking in his van, he has his sights set on the fictional Blake School of Arts ...

... where 20-year-old Miranda Grey studies, a casual acquaintance of Freddie... So far unknown location. Near Holborn perhaps?

Freddie follows Miranda discreetly at walking pace. Strand, London WC2. SJ.

Shot from Montreal Place opposite the entrance to Somerset House on Strand, London WC2. SJ.

Turning into Strand, Freddie can see Miranda, who has just passed by the Marconi Wing, walking towards Aldwych.

Now driving along Kingsway, Freddie still watches Miranda, who is about to enter Holborn Underground Station.

I think it's the same tree! Certainly a lot more clutter. SJ.

She, the heroine, just missed the hero from 'Georgy Girl'; both used Belsize Park Underground Station, North London... Probably because at the exit Miranda turns right towards the opposite Glenloch Road instead of left ...

Looking out onto Haverstock Hill, NW3. SJ

An update taken just outside the entrance with added street clutter. SJ

... as can be seen in the side rear mirror of Freddie's van. But then 26 years old Samantha Eggar obviously had to use the other exit for that. And I wonder how Freddie was able to pick up Miranda's trail again so quickly!

An unreversed image. SJ

This is flipped to reproduce what Stamp is seeing in his sideview mirror. SJ

Without taking any notice of the van or its driver, Miranda crosses the street. On the far right you can see the Odeon cinema, which then shows 'Ben-Hur' by William Wyler and was closed in September 1972.

The west side of Haverstock HIll. SJ

The intervening years reveal that the middle tree is a replacement, c. 2020, and the two phone booths have become one, c.2023. SJ

While Miranda approaches from behind, Freddie parks his 1964 Thames type van at the side of Hampstead High Street.

On Hampstead High Street looking down towards Rosslyn Hill and Haverstock Hill. Spotted by AG, snapped by SJ.

Returning 17 years after our first comparison, Antony Blair found little architectural change.

Freddie watches Miranda as she heads towards the pub on the corner.

Half the garage is now a community centre. Looking north west. Spotted by AG, snapped by SJ.

Antony Blair found that today the scene is tidier.

She hesitates briefly before entering the King William IV Pub, located by the corner with Perrin's Lane. Interior shots were lensed at the Columbia Pictures studios, Gower Street, Hollywood, California, USA.

Looking south east again. Even the pub's front door railing is there. AG & SJ.

Taken from a similar position by Antony Blair.

Presumably due to the abrupt end of a romance, Miranda leaves the pub completely perplexed and walks down the street, where the student is overtaken by a dark van. Higher Hampstead, towards Mount Vernon, and, of course, the pond in 'The Informers'.

Perrin's Lane. Russell took this one.

Freddie's van is driving up Holly Bush Hill, turning left at the junction towards Mount Vernon. The area appears in 'The Smallest Show on Earth', 'The Walking Stick', 'Peril for the Guy', 'The Killing of Sister George' and 'For Them That Trespass'.

Holly Bush Hill, Hampstead, Russell again.

Antony Blair returned n a different season.

Behind the wheel, Freddie continues to lie in wait for Miranda, who is walking up Holly Bush Hill. ...

Looking down upon Holly Bush Hill, Hampstead, good one from Russell.

... and has now reached the footpath that leads up to Mount Vernon.

Antony Blair confirms the location.

While Miranda absentmindedly walks along the footpath towards Mount Vernon, Freddie's van appears above unnoticed.

With thanks to Russell.

Where the footpath ends, a dark delivery van blocks the street. Miranda tries to squeeze past the van on the right, at which point the trap snaps shut.

Russell again.

The wonky bollard remains at a tilt in Antony Blair's update.

With the beautiful young woman, now Chloroform-stunned and bound, in the cargo area, Freddie's van circles Trafalgar Square.

The next day, Freddie goes to work as usual.

A number of people seem to have had unsuccessful sorties to capture this secluded property but somehow Chris Heath has provided us with this shot that will have to cover for all the captures that we have of Gabriel's Manor, Edenbridge, Kent. (RL)

While his Thames type van leaves the property, Miranda slowly awakens in the dungeon, which is at least somewhat comfortably furnished. Small comfort, of course.

Drawn by the headline, he buys a newspaper... A location which was unidentified for several years ...

But Jules Ballantyne found that vital clue that led to Englefield Road, London N1, circa 151a in fact, supported by a Google Earth shot, now replaced. But what was that vital clue unless we caught a glimpse of The Lord Clyde on Essex Road? SJ

While Miranda is allowed to take a bath in the house, Freddie wakes up sitting on a chair in front of the (closed) bathroom door, when the neighbor (Maurice Dallimore) unexpectedly shows up.

Although a certain rapprochement occurs over time, the situation escalates completely when Freddie felt betrayed by Miranda. As a result, she severely injures him with a spade. Nevertheless, Freddie manages to lock the student back in the cellar dungeon. Shot at Columbia Pictures studios, included for sake of completeness.

In the process, Miranda, completely soaked from the fight in the pouring rain, trips over the radiator cable.

Freddie is forced to go to the nearest hospital because of his serious head injury.

In the pouring rain and half-conscious, he only manages to make the turn on the second attempt ...

... and finally falls at the feet of a young nurse... Edenbridge? Westerham? Tony Reeves gives a bit of a clue in his location book. Look at the scrolled plaque over the door, it's the same in both stills, and there is a green in front. Do you know where it is? ... Now found, see comparison.

Forest Row, near East Grinstead, Sussex. On the A22 Lewes Road in the centre of the town, it is part of the church hall and has the War Memorial and a flagpole on the small green. Well spotted by Paul Guntrip, many thanks.

When Freddie returns from the hospital, he discovers that Miranda has meanwhile contracted a severe case of pneumonia. He speeds into the town ...

The Green, Westerham, Kent. These three pictures by David Claydon. Thanks David.

... and hurries to the doctor's house, visible to the right.

The Green, Westerham, Kent. David Claydon.

But standing in front of the doctor's office, Freddie changes his mind and visits the pharmacy further down the street to obtain the medication, without arousing suspicion... Christopher Long, who witnessed the shooting, believes an antiques shop was converted to a chemist's for this scene.

The Green, Westerham, Kent. David Claydon.

Back home, Freddie immediately rushes to the dungeon, to find Miranda.

Shortly afterwards, Freddie already has another potential victim in his sights and the Chloroform at hand.

The same place as capture 35 - Forest Row, near East Grinstead, Sussex, and Paul Guntrip provided another pic. Thanks Paul.

The potential object of desire turns out to be the nurse (Edina Ronay) from the hospital in the background where Freddie's head injury was treated... Chris Heath identifies the background as Lewes Road, Forest Row, East Sussex RH18 5ES (RL)

And local John Wood snapped the comparison at Forest Row. (SJ)

The pretty young woman pays no attention to the parked van ...

John Wood again (SJ)

... and continues her way towards the next street corner.

And making up the threesome, John provides another match. (SJ)

Freddie starts the engine and follows her discreetly at walking pace ...