Connecting Rooms

Arriving in London from the West Country, schoolmaster James Wallraven (Michael Redgrave) walks along a row of boarding houses, finding no vacancies at 37.

Redgrave passes by 34 Craven Hill Gardens. SJ

Song writer Mickey Hollister waits to meet with pop star Claudia as she arrives at a reception. Steve Randall confirms this as the entrance of the Carlton Tower Hotel on Cadogan Place, London SW1.

The entrance was recently redesigned. SJ

After phoning an old friend and arranging to meet, James heads for the park looking for Miss Fleming, a cellist. The junction of Bayswater Road and Lancaster Gate W2 with the Lancaster Gate of Kensington Gardens in the right background.

Postbox, post and gate all still there! SJ

Wanda Fleming (Bette Davis) sits eating her lunch as James approaches. The statue of Lord Holland looks down on the scene in Holland Park W8.

From ground level. SJ

Having borrowed a car from his friend Johnny, Mickey Hollister (Alexis Kanner) arrives outside the building that he shares with Wanda and new tenant James. Craven Hill Gardens W2.

Northeast corner of the square. SJ

Wanda comes out of Mrs. Brent's boarding house and Mickey shows her the MG before she declines a lift to the theatre. Craven Hill Gardens on the border between Paddington and Bayswater.

Panning left from above. SJ

Following a further meeting with Claudia, Mickey returns the car to Johnny. Looking down on the junction of Lancaster Gate and Craven Terrace in W2 with Bayswater Road in the left background.

Ground level will have to do. SJ

The camera tracks Mickey as he drives through the streets. Craven Terrace at the corner of Lancaster Mews with The Mitre public house to the right. The pub also features in 'Scoop' from 2006.

Cafe on the left, pub on the corner. SJ

Continuity is excellent as the car heads through Lancaster Mews W2.

Looking north on the eastern spur of this large mews. SJ

Mickey arrives outside Johnny's garage. The northern corner of Lancaster Mews.

The garage doors have gone but essentially the same, especially the rear of the school on Craven Terrace. SJ

James bumps into Miss Fleming as walks along the street. There's the The Mitre in the background so . . .

. . . this is Craven Terrace, W2. SJ

Wanda tells James about a boarding house, where she once lived, that burnt down. Craven Terrace in Bayswater.

Just a little further north up Craven Terrace. SJ

Mickey comes out of a shop doorway and spots the two together. Looking north along Craven Terrace in W2 with the junction of Devonshire Terrace, Cleveland Square and Chilworth Street in the right distance.

Now. SJ

Wanda visits Johnny's garage where she purchases the MG for Mickey. Facing Craven Terrace from Lancaster Mews in London W2.

Hasn't changed a jot! SJ

A demonstration takes place in town. Whitehall in SW1 with the statue of Earl Haig to the left.

The same location from Peter.

James stands behind a police line as the marchers pass through the streets. The street sign reads Cydrer Street but this is Heatherden Hall at Pinewood Studios and a similar view appears in 'Nothing But the Night'.

Trying to make his way home, James is caught up in the melee as the demonstrators become disorderly. Heatherden Hall at Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire.

The east side of the hall. SJ

Police ask for calm as a riot breaks out. Heatherden Hall has been seen in countless productions including 'Twice Round the Daffodils', 'Wombling Free', 'The Ghoul', 'The Iron Maiden', 'A Stitch in Time', 'Carry On Nurse', 'Floods of Fear', 'City Under the Sea', 'Bitter Harvest' and 'Band of Thieves'.

A closer look at the portico. RJ

Battered and bruised, James is brought home in a police car. Looking towards Leinster Gardens on Craven Hill Gardens W2.

After two visits in the 2010a, I was plagued by hilariously horrendous scaffolding. There's still some but this is a clearer view to replace my effort in April '16. SJ

The former school teacher is helped into the house. Craven Hill Gardens.

Even in winter, the trees obscure the architecture. SJ

An establishing shot of the Royal Albert Hall where Claudia is appearing.

The evening lights have just come on to help out a dark December afternoon. SJ

After her latest concert, Mickey receives a note from Claudia. Outside the Royal Albert Hall on Kensington Gore, London SW7.

Peter wonders if this is the correct entrance as the building has seen much refurbishment. Richard Dacre confirms that it certainly is the correct entrance. (RL)

Mickey pursues Wanda as she leaves a department store. The former Whiteleys department store at the corner of Queensway and Porchester Gardens in W2. Other views of the store appear in 'What Every Woman Wants', 'Passport to Shame', 'Park Plaza 605' and 'Two Left Feet'.

Closed most of the 80s. Re-opened as a shopping and leisure centre including a multi-screen cinema, which may have put nails in the coffins of the Queens and Odeon cinemas on Westbourne Grove. Both interior and exterior were seen in "Closer". SJ

As Mickey carries her purchases, Wanda hails a cab. Looking west along Porchester Gardens in Bayswater.

The same scene now. SJ

As Mrs. Brent secures the connecting doorway back at the boarding house, James meets Wanda at the station.

James and Wanda talk about each other and her next cello performance. The road sign reads Craven Hill Gardens and the background property stands on Leinster Gardens.

No useful "leading to" advice on the new sign now. SJ

When he suggests meeting up at the theatre after the recital, Wanda tells him to come to the theatre at seven. The corner of Craven Hill Gardens and Porchester Terrace W2.

Bedecked with ivy now. SJ

James sets out to meet Wanda after her performance. To the right stands The Talk of the Town at the corner of Charing Cross Road and Cranbourn Street, which closed in 1982 to be refurbished and receiving numerous name changes before becoming a casino in 2012.

The Hippodrome, its original name when it opened in 1900. SJ

Wanda's name doesn't appear on any bill boards or hoardings. Wyndham's Theatre on Charing Cross Road WC2.

In daylight. SJ

James turns a corner and finds a crowd gathered around a busker.

Looking east down St Martin's Court. SJ

As he draws nearer, through the street performers audience, James comes across Wanda. St. Martin's Court running between Charing Cross Road and St. Martin's Lane.

Peter found the same canopy detail intact.

When she's finished playing, Wanda picks up her cello and leaves it with the Stage Door Keeper before the two head off together. The side entrance to Wyndham's Theatre in St. Martin's Court, London WC2.

Is this the same door? asks Peter. The downpipe to the left seems to match... And the air vent to the right.