Digby, the Biggest Dog in the World
Date: 1973
Director: Joseph McGrath
Production Company: Walter Shenson Films
Stars: Jim Dale, Angela Douglas, Richard Beaumont, Spike Milligan, John Bluthal, Norman Rossington, Milo O'Shea
Location(s): Hertfordshire
Region(s): South East A-D
Storyline:
A young boy’s dog grows to an enormous size after drinking a bowl of top secret food which promotes growth!
Additional Information:
Screen captures uploaded by Phil Wilkinson
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- Capture 1
- 'Now' required
Billy White (Richard Beaumont) closes the gate as he arrives home with Digby, an Old English Sheepdog from the Dog's Home.
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Janine White (Angela Douglas) tells her son that his Grandfather may not allow him to keep the animal.
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At the nearby Research Centre, Jeff Eldon (Jim Dale) is told off by Colonel Masters (Dinsdale Landen) for throwing oranges. High Canons at Well End near Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.
- Capture 4
- 08 Aug 2018
Janine speaks with Colonel Masters, the Research Centre's security officer. High Canons in Hertfordshire located by Geoff Dodd.
Geoff provides this "now" for us of the location. (RL)
- Capture 5
- 08 Aug 2018
General Frank arrives at the Research Centre. High Canons on Buckettsland Lane, Well End in Hertfordshire.
Geoff also provides this shot for us admitting that it is off angle, but it is the only one he has! (RL)
- Capture 6
- 'Now' required
Dr. Jameson (Milo O'Shea) introduces General Frank (Kenneth J. Warren) to Dr. Harz (Spike Milligan). High Canons was also seen in 'To The Devil a Daughter', 'Dr. Phibes Rises Again', 'You Must Be Joking', 'Can You Keep It Up for a Week?', 'The Devil Rides Out', 'Rentadick' and 1974's 'Murder on the Orient Express'.
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
When Billy is told that he can't keep Digby, the young lad leaves him outside Jeff's house for the animal lover to take care of. New Cottages, High Canons near Borehamwood. This cottage and the surrounding buildings appear in in 'The Boys in Blue' and 'Adolf Hitler, My Part in His Downfall'.
- Capture 8
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Jeff pours milk on his plants, not realising that Digby has already drunk the liquid growth formula that he thinks he is using.
- Capture 9
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An Estate Agent (Frank Thornton) shows Dr. Harz around the house next door to Jeff's. White Lodge, High Canons.
- Capture 10
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The lab-assistant installs a dog-flap so that Digby can get into and out of the house.
- Capture 11
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That night, a burglary takes place in an apartment block. Hollywood Court on Deacons Hill Road, Elstree.
- Capture 12
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Chased by two Policemen, Jerry (John Bluthal) and Tom (Norman Rossington) steal a car to escape with the loot. Hollywood Court.
- Capture 13
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The two Officers stop when they find that it is their car that has been taken. Hollywood Court, Deacons Hill Road, Elstree in Hertfordshire.
- Capture 14
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The silver is thrown over a wall before Jerry and Tom follow by vaulting into Jeff's garden. Geoff Dodd advises that the walled garden is within the grounds of High Canons and also featured in The Satanic Rites Of Dracula. (RL)
- Capture 15
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On the morning that Jeff discovers that Digby has grown, Dr. Harz sees him climbing into his kitchen through the dog-flap.
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The Postman spots the Doctor trying to coax Jeff from the house as if he were a dog. In the background stands Garden Cottage, High Canons.
- Capture 17
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Dr. Harz questions Billy about Jeff's behaviour.
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After telephoning Aunt Ina to ask if he can visit, Jeff leaves the house to get food for Digby.
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Jerry and Tom run from Jeff's house after discovering the enormous Digby when they return to collect their haul.
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Jeff returns home with a huge bone for Digby.
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The camera pans with Jeff as he carries the bone to the door.
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Jeff watches after Digby runs from the house, jumps over the fence and digs a huge hole in Dr. Harz's garden.
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As Jeff tries to repair the damage, Dr. Harz stands and stares, believing that his neighbour has dug the hole.
- Capture 24
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Jerry and Tom arrive at a café where they plan to switch their horsebox with the one carrying Digby. This is The Good Companions Café on the B556, St. Albans Road in South Mimms, Hertfordshire.
- Capture 25
- 'Now' required
As Jeff buys breakfast in the café, the two crooks look for the trailer carrying Digby. The car park next to The Good Companions Café. The background buildings stand on Blackhorse Lane which appeared in 'Curse of the Crimson Altar'.
- Capture 26
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Tom watches Jeff eating through the café window. The location was also seen in 'The Likely Lads'.
- Capture 27
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Jerry and Tom prepare to switch the horseboxes. The café has been demolished but the buildings either side remain.
- Capture 28
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With the exchange completed, Tom berates an exhausted Jerry. Outside The Good Companions Café on St. Albans Road, South Mimms.
- Capture 29
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Jeff arrives at his Aunt's cottage where he discovers that Digby has been switched. The Thatched Cottage, Silver Hill, Shenley in Hertfordshire. John Morter updates us with news that the cottage was burnt down in 2015.
- Capture 30
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Carrying a tin bath full of dog food, Jerry and Tom arrive at the lock up where Digby has been hidden. Geoff Dodd advises that this was filmed at the studio but has now been demolished. (RL)
- Capture 31
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After seeing a television report about Digby, Jeff leaves his Aunt's. Thatched Cottage on Silver Hill between Well End and Shenley near Borehamwood, since destroyed by fire as advised by Jon Morter.
- Capture 32
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After persuading the owner of a travelling circus to show Digby, Jerry and Tom sell tickets for people to see the Biggest Dog in the World. Shell Rubin tells us that this is a field adjacent to Cherry Tree Lane off Ashwood Road, Potters Bar in Hertfordshire where local children were used as extras.
- Capture 33
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Jeff arrives at the circus and finds his way into a tent where he disguises himself as a clown. The field identified by Shell Rubin with properties on Barnet Road, the A1000 Great North Road, Potters Bar in the background.
- Capture 34
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When Digby escapes from the circus and starts to cause havoc across the country, the military prepare to take action.
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Leaving Digby in a quarry with Billy, Jeff collects an antidote to the growth formula from the Research Centre before taking the General's car.
- Capture 36
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A Guard comes out of the gate house as Jeff approaches but lets the car leave when he sees the General's pennant.
- Capture 37
- 23 Jul 2023
An Army Captain (Ben Aris) leads his men on the trail of the gigantic canine. Shenley Road in Borehamwood, which was also seen in ‘On the Buses’, ‘Mutiny on the Buses’, ‘Bedazzled’, ‘The Scamp’, ‘Confessions of a Driving Instructor’, ‘The Glitterball’, ‘Percy's Progress’, ‘The Boys in Blue’, ‘Kontiki Kids’, ‘Love Thy Neighbour’ and others.
Antony Blair found the same buildings in the background but a different road layout.
- Capture 38
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Reading his map, the Captain directs operations. A closer shot of Shenley Road with Woolworths on the left.
- Capture 39
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Pursued by Colonel Masters and Janice, Jeff races back to Digby and Billy.
- Capture 40
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With the Captain scanning the horizon, the convoy continues through suburban streets. Eric Parsons advises that this is Eldon Avenue, Borehamwood and to the left is the entrance to, what are now, the BBC studios. The studio buidings and tower block Canterbury House can be seen in the left distance.
- Capture 41
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Vehicles swerve as the armoured cars drive the wrong way along a one-way street. Eldon Avenue looking towards Shenley Road identified by Eric Parsons.
- Capture 42
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Two Attendants watch as Captain Masters speeds through their car wash.
- Capture 43
- 19 Apr 2023
Since replaced by the Elstree Moat House, to the left stands the Thatched Barn Hotel at the junction of the Barnet By-Pass and Rowley Lane, Borehamwood in Hertfordshire. The hotel was seen in the cult television series 'The Prisoner' as well as in 'Night Comes Too Soon', 'Man at the Top', 'Intimate Games', 'Tomorrow at Ten', 'Four Men in a Car' and Mr. Ten Per Cent’.
We replace the GEV, that also appeared in "Tomorrow at Ten", with Denis Hoare's comparative shot as we are unlikely to secure a now from the elevation that appeared in the film. (RL),
- Capture 44
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With his face covered in soap suds, Captain Masters turns his car over on a loading ramp as he gains on the General's car.
- Capture 45
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Jeff approaches and drives past the convoy and soon reaches Digby at the quarry. Rowley Lane passing over the A1 Barnet By-Pass in Borehamwood.