Dangerous Cargo

Date: 1954
Director: John Harlow
Production Company: Association of Cinema Technicians (A.C.T)

Stars: Susan Stephen, Jack Watling, Karel Stepanek, Richard Pearson, Terence Alexander, John Le Mesurier, Ballard Berkeley
Location(s): London

Region(s):

Storyline:

A criminal who is part of a gang tricks an old POW friend into divulging the movement of a shipment of gold bullion from an airport with a view to stealing it.

Additional Information:

Screen captures and uncredited now shots uploaded by Richard Lovejoy

 

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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.

  • Capture 1
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The film opens at an airport as a cargo plane is coming in to land with gold bullion destined for the Bank of England. The (RAF) control tower at Heathrow Airport prior to being replaced in 1955. With thanks to Paul Bellamy of ARG Archive, Alconbury.

  • Capture 2
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“Mr Big”, (Mr) Pliny (Karel Stepanek) arrives at the airport to watch the unloading process from a distance. Heathrow Airport when arriving was much less stressful.

  • Capture 3
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Further shot to reinforce the point.

  • Capture 4
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After securing the bullion into the new safe Tim Matthews (Jack Watling) carries out one of his other duties, collecting the tea for the “chaps”. Heathrow Airport identified by Paul Bellamy.

  • Capture 5
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He is quickly joined by Pliny’s chauffeur Harry Fraser (Terence Alexander) who were POW’s together. Paul Francis of ARG Alconbury remembers the B1 hangar and confirms the original VHT tower in bcargo001.

  • Capture 6
  • 11 Jan 2016

The following day Pliny gets Harry to take him to “Tower Bridge”. St. Katharine's Dock lock, east side.

For once re-development provides a broader view.

  • Capture 7
  • 11 Jan 2016

There he changes into shabby clothes.

Only so much can change with the passage of time.

  • Capture 8
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And walks to “The Black Horse”, Bankside, London SE1, with a view of Southwark Bridge and is greeted by Luigi (John Le Mesurier).

I followed in his footsteps. Rather less commercial/industrial now and a few metres further on you can enjoy a pint at "The Anchor".

  • Capture 9
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Harry arrives to collect Tim and his wife Janie (Susan Stephen) from their home to take them dog racing. Unknown location.

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After the substantial wins of their first visit Tim gets hooked and ends up as a loser owing money. Failing to pay his debt “the mob” tries to bribe him into letting them know when the next bullion delivery is scheduled. He refuses so they pick him up on his way home. Unknown Location.

  • Capture 11
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The gang arrive at the airfield gates ready to pounce once the drugged security staff are “off duty”. Slightly lightened to aid identification of those gate posts, maybe Heathrow, maybe the studio.

  • Capture 12
  • 11 Jan 2016

As the police capture the gang Tim gets shot by Pliny and is taken to hospital. The Strand, London passing William lV Street, Agar Street and "Weaver to Wearer" on the corner.

The Zebra crossing has given way to pedestrianisation.