Door in the Wall, The

Date: 1956
Director: Glenn H Alvey Jnr.
Production Company: Associated British Pathé and the BFI Experimental Film Fund

Stars: Stephen Murray, Ian Hunter, Leonard Sachs, Ann Blake
Location(s): London

Region(s):

Storyline:

An outwardly successful politician is perturbed by a recurring vision of a childhood memory in which a mysterious green door led to a magical garden. As a result he astonishes his old friend when he refuses the appointment of Lord Chief Justice having seen the door at critical moments during his life. He further informs his friend that if he sees the door again, he will enter it.

Additional Information:

Whilst not a commercially distributed film in accordance with our basic criteria the aspects of its background, the number of locations included and containing actors of note make this film worthy of inclusion in our listings.

It is essentially an experimental film, designed to explore the possibilities of the Dynamic Frame technique evolved by Glenn H Alvey Jnr. The aim was to combine the advantages of the new “big screens” with an ability to compose in close-up, to select detail and to emphasise mood. To achieve this, the dimensions of the frame (in this case VistaVision) change both laterally and vertically both from one shot to another or during a scene.

Screen captures and locations provided by Jules Ballantyne and uncredited now shots by Richard Lovejoy. And team work to resolve the remaining few.

 

Can you help:

If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.

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
  • 28 Feb 2017

Sir Frank Wallace (Stephen Murray) and Henry Redmond (Ian Hunter) walk to Henry’s home discussing Sir Frank taking the position of Lord Chief Justice. Corner of Aldensley Road and Cardross St. London W6

Just a few changes revealed in this lighter brighter daytime shot.

  • Capture 2
  • 28 Feb 2017

As part of explaining the reason that he cannot accept the position he recounts part of his childhood, saying one day he “slipped away” from his home. Gwendwr Road looking towards corner with Glazbury Road, London W14

The little lad would have had to be more careful crossing the road these days.

  • Capture 3
  • 28 Feb 2017

Frank (Malcolm Knight) crosses the road and turns the corner. Corner of Glazbury Road and Gwendwr Road.

Much the same save the satellite dish.

  • Capture 4
  • 28 Feb 2017

Whilst trying to catch a cat he is confronted by Birdman (Oliver Johnson). Glazbury Road looking towards Gwendwr Road, London W6

"Birdman" seems to have flown.

  • Capture 5
  • 28 Feb 2017

Frank continues to walk the local streets. Dorville Crescent on the corner with Wellesley Ave., London W6

It looked as if it needed re-development.

  • Capture 6
  • 28 Feb 2017

Looking both ways, he crosses. Cardross Street, London W6

Smart residences now.

  • Capture 7
  • 28 Feb 2017

Passes a shop…. Aldensley Road, London W6

I am convinced the "shop" was a prop.

  • Capture 8
  • 17 Jun 2017

…and is quickly presented with a green latched door. After some indecision, he enters to find he is in a garden (Holland House, London W14) with parrots and flamingos (filmed at London Zoo), a prehistoric monster (filmed at Crystal Palace) and other children. After a strange event of seeing a book evidencing his unhappy life, he returns, crying, to the outside world. 22 Ilchester Place, London W14 in the background. Other lengths of the road appear in 'Naked', 'The Crowded Day', 'The Big Sleep', 'Albert Carter Q.O.S.O.' and 'Climb Up the Wall'.

22 and 24 Ilchester Place with substantially grown hedging.

  • Capture 9
  • 28 Feb 2017

There a policeman (Frank Forsyth) tries to find out what is wrong. Sycamore Gardens, London W6

No policeman available to pose for my shot.

  • Capture 10
  • 28 Feb 2017

And takes him home. Corner of Sycamore Gardens and Benbow Road, London W6

No mistaking the name of the road now.

  • Capture 11
  • 03 Apr 2017

Frank recounts a further troubled stage in his life when he was a schoolboy (Brian Leslie), finding different ways to school. What was Hughenden Road in Hammersmith, demolished for the widening of the Great West Road.

Only the rear of the houses in Berestede Road to be seen now.

  • Capture 12
  • 03 Apr 2017

Realising he was lost and likely to be late for school he sets off at pace. The corner of Hughenden Road W6 and British Grove in W4 before demolition and the widening of the Great West Road. James Hudson tells us that he was able to show his Grandmother this view of the boarded up shop to the left which was owned by his Great, Great, Grandfather and Grandmother. The location also features in 'Waterloo Road'.

Some of the houses in British Grove survive, both sides of the Great West Road.

  • Capture 13
  • 'Now' required

He thinks that he has found himself in a dead end. Unknown location

  • Capture 14
  • 03 Jun 2017

Frank enters a passageway. Research would suggest that this is to the side of 2 Hebron Road/Street looking towards the rear of odd number houses in Coulter Road, a small portion of the front of 2 Coulter Road (red) and finally the rear of even numbers in Beauclerc Road.

It may not now be possible to gain access to the passageway or confirm the sight line due to greenery and maybe house extensions but for the time being this is considered to be the location. Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland -http://maps.nls.uk/index.html

  • Capture 15
  • 26 Jun 2017

Even if it was possible to open the gate the greenery has grown so considerably that little or no background would be seen. (RL)

  • Capture 16
  • 26 Jun 2017

He can do nothing else but follow the path. To the left of No 1 Hebron Road, London W6 looking towards the rear of houses in Marco Road.

Much remains as was if only one could open that gate. (RL)

  • Capture 17
  • 26 Jun 2017

Eventually, a road. Here Frank is emerging into Banim Street, London W6 from the road/passageway that connects to Bradmore Park Road. Nos: 10 and 12 Banim Street are in front of him.

The narrowing of the road is now the only remaining evidence. (RL)

  • Capture 18
  • 28 Feb 2017

He crosses. Cardross Street once again.

What is proposed behind that boarding?

  • Capture 19
  • 28 Feb 2017

To find himself at the shop he had passed all those years ago. Aldensley Road once more.

Had it not been for a parked car I could have achieved the exact angle.

  • Capture 20
  • 01 Mar 2017

Once again he is confronted by the green door but he hears the school bell ring, moves on and marks the fence with an arrow with chalk. Aldensley Road heading towards Carthew Road, London W6 - I captured the wrong corner during my first visit.

I didn't expect to be back quite so soon to witness the subsequent development.

  • Capture 21
  • 28 Feb 2017

He continues to race on to school. Carthew Road

Structurally it all remains the same.

  • Capture 22
  • 28 Feb 2017

Once again marking a wall with an arrow. Carthew Road.

I believe the house has been extended so the exact location is a little uncertain but it is there or thereabouts.

  • Capture 23
  • 28 Feb 2017

Once again speeding off down the street. Carthew Road

It seems that that house always wants to have a different façade to the others.

  • Capture 24
  • 28 Feb 2017

This time, a really long arrow. Corner of Kilmarsh Road and Iffley Road, London W6

No doubts about the location.

  • Capture 25
  • 03 Apr 2017

He arrives at school. Godolphin and Latymer School, Iffley Road. Security have agreed to a '"now" shot out of term time.

With thanks to the school's Premises Team for allowing me access during the Easter Hols.

  • Capture 26
  • 28 Feb 2017

Children start to leave at the end of the day. Godolphin and Latymer School, Iffley Road.

Rather more security these days.

  • Capture 27
  • 28 Feb 2017

Henry Redmond (Brian Leslie), centre, persuades two other boys to follow Wallace. Godolphin and Latymer School, Iffley Road.

And it's a school for girls.

  • Capture 28
  • 28 Feb 2017

Henry challenges Frank that he “has found something, an enchanted garden…” View of school from Kilmarsh Road

Impossible to exclude that pole.

  • Capture 29
  • 28 Feb 2017

Frank admits that he has, but accused of being a liar he agrees to take them there. Return to Carthew Road.

A very well maintained road.

  • Capture 30
  • 28 Feb 2017

Finding one arrow has been covered up by a poster they are chased away as they try to look behind it. Carthew Road again.

Somewhat less activity during my visit.

  • Capture 31
  • 28 Feb 2017

He fails to find the other arrows. Brackenbury Gardens, London W6

Cars, cars, cars, cars, the bane of Reelstreets.

  • Capture 32
  • 28 Feb 2017

The only chalk marks are those made by a little girl playing, he is accused of being a liar and is debagged. The film concludes in studio sets. Brackenbury Gardens, London W6

Chalk marks on the pavement are likely to be frowned upon these days.