Edward, My Son

Titles appear over a montage of London views to set the scene.

Battersea Power Station in SW8, two chimneys for Battersea A and one for Battersea B, seen from Grosvenor Road SW1.

Now that I see the angle, I should have been a little further east. SJ

Trafalgar Square WC2 with the spire of St. Martins-in-the-Fields to the right.

The winter sun was low enough for a similar silhouette. SJ

This is the Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner on Apsley Way W1.

Looking splendid in the afternoon sun. SJ

The story begins in the year 1919. Upper Mall W6 with Hammersmith Bridge crossing the Thames in the distance.

Looking south-east. SJ

Panning left, the shot finds Arnold Boult (Spencer Tracy) pushing a perambulator. Upper Mall in Hammersmith with the corner of Weltje Road to the left.

Panning left. SJ

The Canadian continues along the street towards home. Upper Mall, outside numbers 56 and 54. Other sections of Upper Mall can be found in ‘The Water Gipsies’, ‘The Love Ban’ and ‘Waterloo Road’.

The hydrant sign has gone, but the manhole cover is still there. SJ

Arnold stops outside the house where his wife Evelyn is waiting with their one year old son, Edward. Facing 58 and 56 Upper Mall, Hammersmith.

Unfortunately the almost obligatory refurbishment is taking place to mar this shot. SJ

Opening the gate, Arnold reverses and pulls the pram up to the front door. Looking towards the Thames and Hammersmith Bridge from outside 58 Upper Mall in W6.

From in front of the gate. SJ

Five years later, Arnold makes plans to burn down his retail business to claim the insurance after Edward is diagnosed with a serious illness requiring costly surgery. Is this a set or a real street?

One evening, Arnold makes his way home in the dark after the fire is set. Ray Glenister provides convincing evidence to say that this is, what was, Phoenix Lead Mills on Lower Mall, Hammersmith, W6 (RL)

The year is 1930. After becoming a wealthy businessman, Sir Arnold Boult drives to his son’s school.

The car moves along the school’s driveway passing pupils on the playing fields. Geoff Dodd identifies Edge Grove School, High Cross, Aldenham, Watford, Herts. (RL)

Geoff managed to capture the playing fields when they were not in use. (RL)

As Sir Arnold nears the school's main building, he sees a line of Boys filing around a lawn as a punishment. Edge Grove School, High Cross, Aldenham as identified by Geoff. (RL)

There was no reception committee for Geoff. (RL)

Edward's form master Ellerby (Colin Gordon) approaches and takes Sir Arnold to the headmaster, Mr. Hanray, to discuss the young man's expulsion. Edge Grove School, High Cross, Aldenham as advised by Geoff. (RL)

Geoff has no obstructions for his shot of the school house. (RL)

The years roll on. Cannon Street EC4 with St. Paul’s Cathedral in the left background and the Sugar loaf public house at the corner of Queen Street to the right. Other similar views appear in 'Stranger in the City', The Fan', 'The League of Gentlemen', 'Stage Fright', ‘His and Hers’, ‘The Lavender Hill Mob’, ‘The Fan’ and ‘King of the Underworld’.

This replaces my shot from the previous week which omitted the pub, which is, as chance would have it, is half-clad in scaffolding. SJ

Arriving at his office, the successful financier's secretary, Eileen Perrin, tells him that Harry Simpkin is waiting to see him after being released from prison. 69 to 75 Cannon Street, between Queen Street and the since lost Tower Royal.

This is a much wider shot to show the building which now stands in a triangular block, though being five-sided strictly a pentagon, consuming the lost street Tower Royal. The 69-75 section is/was on the left in this shot. SJ

Hearing a commotion outside his office window after rebuffing his former business partner, Sir Arnold looks down onto a crowd gathering around Harry’s body.

Family friend Dr. Larry Woodhope drives to call on Lord and Lady Boult. Belgrave Square SW1 with Chesham Place to the left. The location appears in several productions including ‘The Fourth Square’, 'Stolen Case', 'The Wild Geese', 'The Fallen Idol' and 'The Million Pound Note’.

The pavement has been widened to make Belgrave Place one way. SJ

Larry's taxi pulls into the forecourt of the Peer's house. Number 24 Belgrave Square at the corner of Belgrave Place and Chesham Place in Belgravia. The building also features in ‘The Lady with a Lamp’.

Well done to that tree! SJ

1946, a year after the end of the war in which Edward was killed, and the year when Lord Boult learns that Dr. Woodhope was present at the birth of his illegitimate grandson. Looking north along Harley Street from the junction of Queen Anne Street W1 with Queen’s College to the left. Other views of the famous street can be seen in ‘Green Fingers’, ‘The Citadel’, ‘Against the Wind’ and ‘Seven Days to Noon’.

Paul Lincoln noted that the 'Congestion Charge' certainly seems to have had an effect. (RL)