Diamonds for Breakfast

With the intention of stealing the Imperial Jewels that he believes are rightfully his, Nicholai Godunov visits a Bookseller in order to gather books on theft. Henryk Klocek advises, by virtue of Capture 2 that this is Dawes Road, London SW6 at the corner with Sherbrooke Road. (RL)

Courtesy of Bing Maps the same location some years onward. Google View would be more up to date but difficult to get an appropriate angled shot. We await a genuine 'now' shot. (RL, Oct 2020) ... the wait is over before a year expires with this to replace the Bing. SJ

That evening, the Russian heir reads about robbery with violence and breaking and entering whilst relaxing in his boutique. Looking at the windows to the left, the boutique appears to be next door to the book shop in the previous capture. Henryk Klocek advises that 'Nickys' was indeed next door, in fact, he now trades from the boutique premises and has two pieces of shelving used in the film. Polex Ltd acquiring both 23 and 25 Sherbrooke Road in 1967 and still owns them. (RL)

Again replacing with an original and an angle, looking north, to show the window on the far left across Dawes Road. SJ

Led to her by a wanted poster, Grand Duke Nicholai Wladimirovitch Godunov (Marcello Mastroianni) approaches Victoria Ponsonby (Elaine Taylor). In the background stands The Serpentine Restaurant in Hyde Park, London W2.

Impossible to replicate. The stars were on the concrete first level of the futuristic restaurant with six glass cones springing upwards. SJ

The well spoken young lady shows off her unique method of theft. The Serpentine Restaurant was demolished in 1989 and also appeared in 'Two Gentlemen Sharing', 'Theatre of Blood', 'Alfie Darling' and 'Robbery'.

This may be fanciful but the tree on the right seems to match. SJ

Nicholai complements the young crook on her technique. This appears to be alongside The Serpentine in Hyde Park with the Hilton Hotel on Park Lane in the distance.

Yes, from the south side of the Serpentine. SJ

Walking through a tunnel with Victoria, Nicholai turns to his imagined Forefather when he calls. This is the tunnel beneath Serpentine Road that runs between Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens.

And the gates are still there. SJ

Nicholai puts his plan into operation and the Fire Brigade arrive at the hotel where Victoria's cat burglar friend Honey is staying. Looking towards Caxton Street in SW1 from St. Ermin's Hotel. The Post Office at the corner of Broadway in the background can be seen in ‘Don’t Open Til Christmas’, ‘The File of the Golden Goose’ and ‘Columbo: Dagger of the Mind’ while the hotel itself appears in ‘Mona Lisa’ and ‘Dance with a Stranger’.

A wet taxi has replaced the fire engine. SJ

Honey scales the building to rescue her dog quicker than the Fire Brigade. St. Ermin's Hotel on Caxton Street in Westminster.

All serene now. SJ

Nicholai leaves a Soho strip club after watching Jeanne Silkingers in action.

Close to the castle where the Imperial Jewels are being kept, Nicholai rents a cottage for himself and his gang of criminals.

Inside the cottage, Victoria, Honey, Jeanne Silkingers and triplets Marie, Louise and Antoinette wait to hear Nicholai's plan to break into the castle.

Jeanne drives Nicholai and his Aunt Anastasia Petrovna to the castle to propose that a fashion show be held at the Duke of Windermere's palatial home. The grounds of Blenheim Palace, Woodstock in Oxfordshire.

The Rolls Royce draws up at the front of the castle. The Great Court at Blenheim Palace. The enormous country house is also seen in ‘The Avengers’, 'The Legend of Hell House', 'Percy's Progress', ‘Barry Lyndon’, ‘Saraband For Dead Lovers’, ‘Half a Sixpence’ and ‘Spectre’.

Discovering that the Imperial Jewels have been stolen, the alarm is raised.

As part of the escape plan, Honey runs from the palace dressed as a man in a dark wig and sunglasses. The west facade of Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire.

Called to assist by Nicholai, Police follow the would be thief from the building. Blenheim Palace in Woodstock.

Policemen dart about in an almost 'Keystone Cops' manner as they pursue the crook. The Water Terraces at Blenheim Palace.

The disorganised Officers reach the river side in time to see the villain escape by boat.

More Constables race through the estate. Built between 1705 and 1722, Blenheim Palace was the principal residence of the Dukes of Marlborough.

Honey continues her getaway along the river. The Great Lake, part of the River Glyme, in Blenheim Park with Vanbrugh's Grand Bridge crossing the scene.

A clearer view today. (SR)

Police Motorcyclists ride towards the river and begin follow the boat. This is the Grand Bridge over the River Glyme to the north of Blenheim Palace.

An early spring day, with no mist to hide the palace. (SR)

Whilst chaos reigns inside and outside of the castle, Honey's dog quietly slips away with the stolen jewels. The Great Court to the north of Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire.

As Bridget Rafferty sends the diamonds from the estate by carrier pigeon, Honey discards her disguise.

The Police Motorcyclists ride on past blonde Honey in their pursuit of a dark haired man.

While the police search everyone at the palace on Inspector Dudley's orders, Honey returns to the cottage.

When Honey and the gang learn that Nicholai and Bridget have betrayed them, they bind and gag the pair before taking them back to London.

Reaching London, the girls' Transit approaches Nicholai's Hampstead flat. Looking south along Holly Walk in Hampstead, London NW3 with the tower of Hampstead Parish Church in the top distance.

Denis Hoare accepts that he is height challenged to capture the correct perspective. (RL)

Triplets Marie, Louise and Antoinette (The Karlins) wait for their associates and the prisoners to arrive. Outside number 2 Holly Place on Holly Walk. The location features in ‘The Walking Stick’.

Denis satisfied himself with a taxi having waited patiently for a white van to appear. (RL)

When one of the pigeons arrives, Nicholai, Victoria, Bridget Rafferty (Rita Tushingham) and Jeanne Silkingers (Francesca Tu) watch as Honey scales the building to retrieve the jewels.

Diamond laden pigeons begin to appear all over London. Looking towards the Houses of Parliament across the Thames from Albert Embankment in SE1. The location was seen in 'The Vault of Horror', 'Genevieve', 'A Dandy in Aspic', 'Alfie' and 'Horrors of the Black Museum'.

As has been for a while, a view marred by a scaffold-clad Elizabeth Tower but one can't wait forever! SJ

Tower Wharf running alongside the Thames in EC3 with the Tower of London creating the backdrop.

Modern buildings appear in the skyline, a tree's gone and a seagull, rather than a pigeon, passes by. SJ

Tower Wharf with Tower Bridge crossing the Thames from EC3 to SE1 in the background. Scenes for 'Alfie', 'A Run for Your Money', 'Three Hats for Lisa', 'The Buttercup Chain' and 'The Naked Edge' were also filmed here.

No sign of the cannon. SJ

Another pigeon and another view of the Houses of Parliament, this time from a distance.

Moving on . . . to the highly recognisable Buckingham Palace in London SW1.

Crowd-free. SJ

Failing to notice the feathered messenger, Horse Guards ride past on Horse Guards Parade as seen from Horse Guards Road SW1.

Lamppost, railings and buildings intact. SJ

Seen in so many productions including 'Recoil', 'Joanna', ‘Hennessey’, 'Seven Keys', ‘The Knack . . . and How to Get It’ and ‘Interlude’, this is the Royal Albert Hall on Kensington Gore in South Kensington SW7.

The view now with the new steps and addition of the South Porch nearly 20 years old now. SJ

A problem with retrieving further jewels is encountered in Trafalgar Square . . . London WC2.

Pigeon and people-free. SJ

When a Constable approaches after seeing him put a pigeon inside his coat, Nikolai Godunov climbs one of the squares plinths and pretends to be a political speaker.

I too ascended. SJ