Dark Man, The

Establishing shot of fictional Walsham Bay. The seafront and Pier as seen from Robertson Terrace / Carlisle Parade, Hastings, Sussex.

Originally viewed from the Queens Hotel. This view is from Debenhams restaurant window. SD

The titular 'Dark Man' (Maxwell Reed) takes a cab. The Taxi Driver is John Hewer of 'Captain Birds Eye' fame.

Marine Parade, Hastings. The building that was on the left was demolished and replaced by flats. SD

The Dark Man leaves a small farm where he has just murdered Mostyn, the owner. Unknown location.

Molly Lester (Natasha Parry) runs towards the theatre after seeing the Dark Man after he had murdered the Taxi Driver. Tonyk found the location. Claremont, Hastings, now in East Sussex.

Location photograph replaces the Google Streetview image. SD

Can you spot the clue in this establishing shot? A stock shot of what is now known as The Norman Shaw Buildings, Victoria Embankment, London SW1.

Now. SJ

A police car heads for Walsham Bay police station. Grand Parade in Littlestone, Kent. The police station was actually The Grand Hotel. Demolished in 1973 and replaced by Grand Court flats. The Grand Hotel was also seen in 'A Jolly Bad Fellow'. SD

Taken from a similar position on the steps of the Grand Court Flats. SD

Detective Inspector Viner (Edward Underdown) and Molly walk towards Camber Castle, Rye Harbour, Sussex.

Camber Castle is now in the care of English Heritage. SD

The Inspector and Molly get closer. Camber Castle again.

At the top of the castle walls, with the central tower on the left. SD

The police discuss tactics outside the Walsham Bay Repertory Theatre. This was The King's Theatre which stood on the corner of Rowan Road (seen here) and Hammersmith Road in W6. The location is also seen in 'The Gilded Cage', 'Charley Moon' and 'Keep It Clean'.

The theatre was demolished in 1963 and replaced with an office block which has now also been demolished to make way for another office block. SD

Establishing shot of the following day in Walsham Bay. Verulam Place, Hastings. which is also seen in 'Wrong Number' using the same footage.

On the left is the White Rock Theatre. SD

The Dark Man at the seaside, Donald McGill postcards and all. Fremlins Ales and meringue cascading onto his hat! The "castle" is actually the ticket office of the East Hill funicular railway points out Jim Breeds. (RL)

The pub outside which 'The Dark Man' is standing is the London Trader on East Beach Street in Hastings. It is still so-named advises Robin Leach and Bob C adds that the pub is mentioned as The Market Trader in dialogue. Location photograph replaces Google Streetview image. SD

A seaside, with trolley bus lines overhead, and cast iron work on the left. Is it still there? Ian Millington states 'North side of Grand Parade, St. Leonards-on Sea, Hastings, Sussex. Approximately at its junction with Market Street, looking east towards the junction of Grand Parade with London Road. The trolleybus overhead wires also identify the junction layout with London Road'.

A square of concrete identifies the spot where the lamp post originally stood. SD

Molly catches a Maidstone bus and heads for some peace and quiet at the beach. Marina in Hastings / St Leonards on Sea.

Same location as the previous capture but looking west towards Marine Court. SD

The Dark man heads for Molly's apartment. Rowan Road, Hammersmith W6. SD

The house on Rowan Road. SD

The police head for a hotel after a report is received. Carlisle Parade in Hastings, Sussex. SD

The buildings on Denmark place (top left, and originally viewed from the Queens Hotel) were demolished in the mid sixties, only The Carlisle pub remained. SD

Detective Inspector Viner looks for clues in the room recently occupied by the Dark Man. A Lloyds Bank sign to the top right of the image. Harold Place, Hastings in Sussex. SD

Viewed from the Queens Hotel (which is now Queens Apartments). Opposite was the Freemasons Arms, now a cafe. Lloyds Bank is still there. SD

Another view through the hotel room window. Harold Place, Hastings. SD

Viewed from the Queens Hotel is the tip of the old underground toilets. Now viewed from the ground, the new toilets. SD

The Inspector sees the back of the Market Inn from the Dark Man's room. Tricky one this. What little evidence there is points to this being Pelham Street, Hastings, leading into Harold Place. SD

The buildings were demolished mid sixties and replaced in 1984 with retirement flats. SD

The Dark Man sits in a cafe opposite a hospital. This is Nelson Hospital, The Rush off Kingston Road in London SW19 identified by Ian Bolton. The hospital makes an appearance in several productions including 'The Silent Weapon' and 'The Fatal Journey'.

Now rebuilt as the Nelson Health Centre. SD

The Dark Man waits as Molly leaves the hospital. The Rush, London SW19. Ian Bolton adds 'As a fan of the Merton Park Studios films I recognised the decorative brickwork of the hospital and the unusual window configuration. So sad. Although the viewpoint of this image does not have any buildings upon it now, there used to be buildings there. Not sure when they were demolished, so the 'cafe' could be a fake view'.

Now there is definitely no café, or hospital. Rebuilt, and re-opening as the Nelson Health Centre. SD

After leaving the hospital, Molly and her friend Carol take a taxi to Carol's house. Friars Road, Winchelsea inSussex.

Friars Road now by SD.

Molly and Carol Burns (Barbara Murray) arrive at the cottage. Glebe Cottage on St. Thomas Street in Winchelsea, Sussex. SD

The cottage resides in East Sussex since boundary changes. SD

The Dark Man looks to steal a car after finding out where Molly has been taken. Unidentified location.

The Dark Man arrives at Carol's cottage looking for Molly. Glebe Cottage on St. Thomas Street in Winchelsea located by SD.

Glebe Cottage on St. Thomas Street, viewed from the back gate in Rookery Lane. SD

Carol's Mother (Betty Cooper) tells Viner that Molly has been taken by someone posing as a police officer. Glebe Cottage on St. Thomas Street in Winchelsea. SD

Glebe Cottage now. SD

Detective Inspector Viner drives off in pursuit of the Dark Man and Molly. Friars Road, Winchelsea in Sussex. SD

The location now. SD

The Dark Man's car is stopped at a level crossing as track workers come into view. Dungeness Road, Dungeness, Romney Marsh in Kent. SD

The railway line from Appledore now ends to the left of the road. Originally it terminated at the lighthouse. SD

The army are used to assist in searching for the Dark Man. Ian Millington advises that this is the Lydd Army Ranges, now called Cinque Ports Training Area, in Lydd, Kent.

Orders are given to search Romney Marshes for the murderer. Lydd Army Ranges identified by Ian Millington.

Watch is kept from another tower manned by the army. More of Lydd Army Ranges in Kent, located by Ian Millington.

The Dark Man looks for a way of escape. Camber Castle, Rye in Sussex. SD

Climbing on the walls is no longer allowed. SD

The fugitive hides in Camber Castle.

Now he would find a metal grille preventing his escape. SD

The view from the Old Lighthouse as the Dark Man walks along the old railway line from Appledore at Dungeness with the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway line curving away on the right.

The view from the Old Lighthouse now. It was worth climbing all those steps. SD

The Old Lighthouse at Dungeness.

Very much the "Old" Lighthouse now, since it was replaced by a new automatic version in the 1960's (RL)

The end of the line for the Dark Man. The now lifted railway line just north of the Old Lighthouse at Dungeness, Kent.

The former Dungeness Station looking north along the platform in January 2006. Part of the base of the station building, seen to the centre right in the screen capture, remains. With thanks to Nick Catford and Disused Stations website at www.disused-stations.org.uk. Photo copyright Nick Catford.

The Dark Man heads for the Old Lighthouse. Dungeness, Romney Marsh, Kent.

Easier access in 1950 (RL)

Romney Hythe and Dymchurch railway station at Dungeness (taken from the top of the lighthouse). Robin Leach, possibly preparing for a bungee jump!

Now shot from Robin. Spot on.

The Dark Man runs to escape from the police and army. The Old Lighthouse, Dungeness, Kent.

Difficult to get exactly the right angle with all the building in the intervening years. (RL)

Viner takes a shot at the Dark Man. The Old Lighthouse and Dungeness railway station also appear in 'Bellman & True' and 'The The Loves of Joanna Godden'.

Almost the right shot but it was pouring with rain! (RL)