Cosh Boy

Singing while she walks, an elderly Lady leaves the pub she has been drinking in as Roy Walsh (James Kenney) and Alfie Collins (Ian Whittaker) turn to look at each other. The film was made at Hammersmith's Riverside Studios and this is Queen Caroline Street at the corner of Ship Lane in W6 with Hammersmith Bridge in the left background and the Cannon public house to the right.

Yes, Queen Caroline Street where the premises stood on the corner of Ship Lane, now built on. (RL)

After Roy pulls a cosh from his inside pocket and hands it to Alfie, the pair follow the Lady across waste ground. Looking across waste ground at the rear of the Cannon to Ship Lane with the rear of properties on Hammersmith Bridge Road to the left.

Looking across what was the was the waste ground. PW

When alerted to the Lady's screams, a Constable gets into a car to pursue the two Lads.

Alfie and Roy run from the scene of their crime as the title roll. Strand WC2 with Duncannon Street to the left.

Some original features here on the left. SJ

Strand at the corner of William IV Street.

Weaver to Wearer also made an appearance in "Dangerous Cargo." SJ

Yates's Wine Lodge stands at number 417 Strand in WC2.

Yates closed in 1981 and is now the Port Shop with blue painted frontage after a spell as Stranded. Heathcock Court to the right. SJ

The car carrying the Policeman approaches a corner. Facing Isabella House and Caroline House on Queen Caroline Street in Hammersmith W6.

Not a great deal has changed. SJ

Panning with the car brings the corner of Queen Caroline Street and Crisp Road into view.

Panning right. SJ

Alfie and Roy continue to flee through darkened street and alleyways.

Reaching a studio set, the pair pause for breath before examining the contents of the Lady's handbag.

After the two are put on probation by the Magistrate following their arrest, Roy walks towards Alfie and Pete (Stanley Escane) who are watching Skinny (Johnny Briggs) and Darky (Sean Lynch) fighting. Waste ground next to the Cannon on Queen Caroline Street W6 with the rear of the still extant City Arms public house and the coachworks next door to the top right.

The location now. SJ.

A more accurate update with Alexandra House to the right. PW

Roy explains to his gang that they're all joining a Youth Centre to create an alibi while they continue to do "jobs". Next to the Cannon on Queen Caroline Street, a location that can be seen in 'Mandy', 'No Trace', 'Deadly Nightshade', 'The Small Voice' and 'Home to Danger'.

Facing the since built Alexandra House. PW

Roy makes his way home where his Mum is chatting with Gran. Facing north on Leamore Street, Hammersmith W6 which is also seen in 'Poor Cow'.

I hope so, my book - "London Film Location Guide" - says so! SJ.

And 15 years later nothing much has changed. SJ

As the teenager approaches the basement flat, Queenie (Hermione Gingold) appears with her "dear friend" Mr. Smith (Toke Townley). Although this is a studio set, Valerie Smith confirms that Leamore Street is real enough as she lived in the road when she was eight years old. (RL)

The real number 40. SJ

Whilst attending the Youth Centre, Roy, Pete and Alfie slip away to carry out another robbery.

The three arrive at the steps where they know Queenie will be appearing as she heads home. The background steps lead down to Battersea Park Road to Stewart's Lane in SW8 while Battersea Power Station stands in the distance.

With the street since renamed Bradmead, that's AG checking the brick and iron work with precision as SJ can be a little impetuous. In fact we couldn't quite get the right angle with no crane and a tree in the way!

When Queenie asks for a light, Pete pulls a cosh from his pocket. The steps down to Stewart's Lane can also be seen in 'The Optimists of Nine Elms' and 'Up the Junction' as well as in the background during 'This Is My Street'

The steps now. New far wall, same near railings. SJ.

Following the attack, Roy and Alfie cycle away. The bridge taking Battersea Park Road over the railway south from Victoria to Clapham Junction and Wandsworth Road stations. Another view of the bridge can be seen in 'All Coppers Are . . . '.

A few changes after 57 years. SJ.

When they hear police whistles nearby, the pair climb over a wall and make a run for it.

Alfie hands over Queenie's bag and Roy pockets the cash. Battersea Dogs home suggests Aidan McManus . . . and with dogs barking in the background it's pretty certain.

After throwing the empty bag into one of the pens, the pair fight with the Night Watchman as they scarper. Battersea Dogs Home on Battersea Park Road SW8 located by Aidan McManus.

Church bells ring out on Sunday morning as Roy prepares to meet Alfie's sister Rene for a date. St. Gabriel's church on Warwick Square in Pimlico SW1 located by Scott McMillan.

This is looking south-west from St. George's Drive, which is actually the name of the western edge of Warwick Square. This is confusingly looking down a street called Warwick Square but the church is the sole occupant of another square bound by the two aforementioned and Cambridge Street. SJ

As Roy leaves home to meet Rene, Inspector Donaldson (Laurence Naismith) and Sergeant Woods (Edward Evans) arrive to question him about the previous evenings attack. Leamore Street W6.

Now. SJ.

Telling the Detectives that he was at the Youth Centre, Roy goes to meet Rene Collins (Joan Collins) only to be told by her brother that she's gone to Greenwich with Brian Edwards (Michael McKeag). The River Thames with the Tower of London visible in the right background.

The same location now from Peter.

That evening, Roy's Gang hide on Crips Alley to intercept Brian and Rene as they return from their day out. Ray and Ron Glensiter recognised the dreamy spires of St. Paul's church, here across waste ground from Worlidge Street in Hammersmith W6.

Ray and Ron managed to find in Aug 2017 an angle on Google Earth from Worlidge Street, with only the spires as evidence, now replaced by SJ

Looking across the River Thames from Chelsea Embankment SW3 with Pleasure Gardens Pier on the left and the Showboat to the right.

On her birthday, Bob Stevens takes Roy's widowed mother Elsie for dinner on the Thames. The Showboat moored in the Thames off Terrace Walk in the Pleasure Gardens at Battersea SW11 with Albert Bridge in the left distance.

Roy returns home from the Youth Centre after Pete tells him that Andy Whistler wants the fifty quid that he owes him. In the background, a District Line train heads west on the bridge crossing Leamore Street in Hammersmith W6.

Looking north. SJ

When shots are fired during a robbery at the Pallodrome, Roy and his Gang run from the building. Wimbledon Palais at the corner of Merton High Street and Mill Road in SW19 identified by Allen Dace. Closing in 1967, the venue became a bingo hall and finally a furniture store before demolition in the 1980s.

Peter Bywaters tells us that The Beatles performed at the Palais in December 1963 followed in 1964 by the Rolling Stones, Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis among others. But there's no hint of the venues former glory now.