Dance Hall

Date: 1950
Director: Charles Crichton
Production Company: Ealing Studios

Stars: Donald Houston, Bonar Colleano, Petula Clark, Natasha Parry, Jane Hylton, Diana Dors, Gladys Henson, Sydney Tafler
Location(s): Bedfordshire, London

Region(s): ,

Storyline:

Four young factory girls escape the monotony of work by spending their evenings at the Chiswick Palais.

Additional Information:

Screen captures uploaded by Phil Wilkinson from source material provided by John Tunstill

Also see Sean Longden’s blog about this film’s connections at

http://rankandfile1.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/shared-locations-hunted-1952-dance-hall.html

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We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.

A blurred shot of the factory where Carole and her fellow workers leave their machines when the klaxon sounds at the end of the shift. Martin Ryan recognised what was, when he worked there, Flextol Engineering Ltd. on Ealing Green in Ealing W5.

Martin provides this capture of the factory's former site adding that he worked on all of the machines including those that the Girls are seen operating in the film. The factory was demolished in 1990 and a new building constructed for Ealing Studios, which in turn has since been converted into apartments and named Walpole Court.

Later that day, Eve (Natasha Parry) sets off for a night at The Palais. The rather distinctive ironwork of Ebury Buildings on Semley Place in SW1 identified by Sean Longden.

Looking up, we now see a view of the sky above Victoria Coach Station. PW

Downstairs, a Friend waits for Eve. Ebury Buildings on Semley Place can also be seen in 'Linda' and Hunted'.

Roughly here. PW

On Sunday, bells ring out as a cycle race passes the accumulator tower on Churchill Gardens Estate in Pimlico. The location was also used in 'Genevieve' as well as 'Three Hats for Lisa' and the flats behind the tower still stand on Johnson's Place. However, this section of road has long since disappeared.

Should be nearer: the other side of the wall. SJ

The cycle race heads west along Grosvenor Road, London SW1. The area has been redeveloped.

It certainly has. Roughly where Darwin House of the Churchill Garden Estate is. SJ

Phil arrives after getting a lift in a truck. Alongside the Thames on Grosvenor Road SW1.

And again. SJ

Phil (Donald Houston) looks for Eve. Sean Longden locates this as Ebury Buildings on Semley Place.

Overshooting the camera position, this is facing the same direction from where the block once stood. The location here is beyond the far gates seen in 'Hunted' capture 22's comparison. PW

Rushing off to catch up with Eve. Sean Longden identifies this as the forecourt of Ebury Buildings facing Ebury Square SW1, which was hit by a flying bomb that did a lot of damage to surrounding properties. The building to the top. left of centre is also seen from a different angle in 'For Better For Worse'.

And here's a shot taken within the square showing that the two trees are the same, as is the centre building. SJ

Phil arrives at The Chiswick Palais, played by Streatham Gaumont, Streatham Hill, London SW2.

Now a sad sight with a question mark as to when re-development might happen. (RL)

Phil takes a friend to a gliding club. Is this Dunstable Downs? Well yes, and Ray and Ron Glenister pinpoint this as the very little changed London Gliding Club on Icknield Way, Whipsnade near Dunstable in Bedfordshire. (RL)

Antony Blair returned to Dunstable Downs 72 years later.

Alec takes Eve for a drive. Ray and Ron Glenister do it again! They identify this as Queensberry Mews West, London SW7 looking towards Queens Gate. (RL)

And we have a match to confirm. SJ

Alec (Bonar Colleano) and Eve talk. Queensberry Mews West, London SW7 found by Ray and Ron Glenister. (RL)

But this has been altered. Fortunately diagonally opposite, behind me, the original architecture survives. SJ

  • 'Now' required

Phil and Eve (Natasha Parry) outside the factory. Dave King advises that "It looks like this shot is taken at Ealing Studios. The windows in the background are to the lower floor of the cutting room block known as S Block in the BBC's days when I worked there. I believe that these rooms were used as Dressing Rooms in Balcon's time".

A wedding car drives along a blurry street. Mark Keys confirms RL's identification of Streatham High Road, looking east, just right of the Streatham Gaumont.

The wedding car was about to pass the "Chiswick Palace" in Streatham Hill. (RL)

Alec and Eve talk. Richard Lovejoy located Wilton Road from the junction with Warwick Way, London SW1.

And it's still a chemist on the corner. (RL)

Alec and Eve in the street.

The same crossroads seen earlier but looking down Warwick Way. Picture and identification from Richard Lovejoy.