Enchantment

A taxi makes it's way through war torn London. Peter Brown has solved this outstanding location, identified by Thorneycroft's "Poets Fountain" on the right. Park Lane, London W1. What is now the London Hilton. (RL)

A significant change. (RL)

The camera pans with the cab carrying an American servicewoman named Grizel Dane. An even clearer shot of Thorneycroft's "Poet's Fountain", identified by Peter Brown, in Park Lane looking down Hertford Street. The fountain also appears in a back projection during the 1935 US production 'Top Hat'.

The "roundabout" has at least been retained, even enlarged. (RL)

The taxi drives out of shot. Hertford Street, London W1 as seen from Park Lane says Peter Brown with what was Londonderry House, demolished in 1965, behind the taxi as it moves off down Old Park Lane. (RL)

No shortage of taxis today. (RL)

Grizel is conveyed through the streets to the home of her grand-uncle. This is Royal Crescent in London W11 which also appears in in 'Raising the Wind' and 'The Blue Lamp'.

Peter confirms Royal Crescent with this shot.

As the taxi approaches, the camera starts a slow zoom towards the front door of General Sir Roland Dane's house.

A typical entrance porch in the Crescent. Picture from Peter.

Grizel drives Pilot Officer Pax Masterson to hospital. Christopher Matheson in his website www.londononlocation.co.uk identifies this as St. Mary Abbot's Hospital, Kensington, London W8 with the west side of Marloes Road in the background. Now demolished with an apartment complex replacing it. (RL)

And the complex is gated so this is as far back from Marloes Road I could manage. SJ

Pax Masterson (Farley Granger) watches as Grizel drives away. The film is full of back projections and, no, he's not really there!

In flashback, the congregation gathers for Sunday service as a young Roland Dane walks towards home. St. John's Church, Hyde Park Crescent W2, a location that also features in 'The Walking Stick', 'The Hangman Waits', 'Percy's Progress', 'Smart Alec', 'No My Darling Daughter', ‘Two a Penny’ and 'Life with the Lyons'.

With rather more horse power, captured by Christopher Matheson. (RL)

A carriage passes, carrying Marchese Guido De Laudi as he courts Lark Ingoldsby, Roland's lost love. Ron and Ray Glenister provide the location as Inner Road, Regents Park with the imposing mansion in the background being 'The Holme', one of the earliest to be built in Regents Park. (RL)

The Holme is scarcely visible behind the trees but it's there. On the left the lamppost and leaning outward tree behind the hedge match nicely SJ

In the 'present', Grizel runs from the General's house during an air raid to find Lark's nephew, Pax.

A final comparison of Royal Crescent from Peter.