End of the Road, The

As the factory whistle blows signaling the end of the working day the scene is set for Old ‘Mick-Mack’s' (Finlay Currie) presentation for 50 years service and enforced retirement. A strange mix of studio and reality and a distinctive square chimney.

As Mick-Mack walks out of the factory gates and away, failing to accept his retirement, we look along the canal back towards Bull’s Bridge and the route of his journey home. The lay-by to the left.

Best possible angle without being on the water. The lay-by is now filled with house boats.

We pick him up as he approaches his home. Just passing No 12 Bulls Bridge Road

It remains very recognisable.

He meets a neighbour, Gloomy Gerties (Edie Martin), who sees his presentation clock. Outside the films 10 Canal Road and the present day 6 Bulls Bridge Road.

There was no 'Gloomy Gerty' as I passed by.

Before he can open the gate to his home his son-in-law, Barney (Duncan Lamont), pulls up in his borrowed car. Outside No 6 looking across the canal.

A much changed opposite bank.

With that Barney Wee (David Hannaford) rushes out the house.

As might be expected more modern cars now travel this road.

Quickly followed by Barney’s wife Molly (Naomi Chance) to greet Barney. The films 10 Canal Road and the present day 6 Bulls Bridge Road.

Modernised, as one would have expected.

It being Barney and Molly’s 10th Wedding Anniversary they all go out for a picnic. The towing path/Bulls Bridge Road looking south-east from Bulls Bridge.

Cars are no longer allowed along this stretch.

Up and over Bulls Bridge.

Difficult to avoid graffiti these days.

Come Monday morning Mick-Mack looks out sadly to the view. Looking across to the lay-by and the Bulls Bridge Repair Yard. Is that Barney Wee saving the kitten? All part of the same 'take' as Capture 22?

'Bulls Bridge Wet and Dry Docks' happily continues to operate in the background.

We look back to the house.

No commercial moorings these days.

With neither the time nor place to tell the family that he was now retired he heads off to the factory with Barney and other workers.

A clearer view of the same location today.

The crowd of workers making their way increases. Towing path/Bulls Bridge Road looking south-east from Bulls Bridge. Bulls Bridge also features in 'The Criminal' and 'The Grand Junction Case'.

The wooden railings have been replaced with a metal barrier. Less maintenance no doubt.

Barney cycles off in another direction. Paddington Branch of the Grand Union Canal from Bulls Bridge.

The towpath remains.

Mick-Mack stops to wave ‘goodbye’. Looking north from Bulls Bridge and the industrial area to the right of the Paddington Branch of the Grand Union Canal.

A somewhat different industrial scene.

The workers arrive at the films Jericho Works Ltd. Maybe the ‘flag’ on the factory wall that shows ‘E W S’ (Emergency Water Supply) is a clue to the actual location.

The Timekeeper (George Merritt) is bemused by Mick-Mack’s attendance and Works Manager (Edward Chapman) takes him by the arm to say “you shouldn’t be here”.

Having broken the news of his retirement to the family Mick-Mack sets off one morning to look for a new job.

Not a bicycle in sight.

He goes for an interview but is rejected by virtue of his age. The company “has their own old people”. Antony Blair identifies this as the offices of James Davis, a timber merchants on The Broadway in Southall, near Hayes Bridge.

Antony explains that the building was demolished and replaced with one featuring a lighthouse which has stood for about 25 years.

Tensions in the household flare as Mick-Mack is at home all day and unable to find employment in view of his age. He goes out.

I was not able to access 'the garden path' for this shot.

He looks out concerned….. The backs of the houses in Tilney Road as background.

The houses remain, albeit, with some new roofing.

….to see Barney Wee kneeling by the waters edge rescuing a kitten in course of being drowned.

If it is part of the same 'take' as Capture 10 then I will use the same "now" shot.

Having collected his old age pension Mick-Mack wanders off to see two old men discussing a billion. Looks as though it could be Merton Park’ish but Antony Blair is pretty confident that this is Southall Park as all the other locations seem to be in Southall.

Antony took this shot of the park as it appears now.

Barney oversleeps as a result of a row with Molly late into the night about Mick-Mack. Antony Blair located this as Brent road in Southall, Middlesex, looking towards Trident way which is on the International Trading Estate.

Antony provides this shot taken outside number 43.

He swings into his workplace.

As Molly returns home from shopping she is attracted to the neighbouring house that has a room to let. Thinking of Mick-Mack to get him out from under her feet. The window of the films 8 Canal View that is now 8 Bulls Bridge Road.

Not quite the correct angle as I failed to include the capture in my crib sheet. But at least I remembered to take the shot.

Before entering to enquire, she sees Barney walking home with his bike, having lost his job. Bulls Bridge Road in Southall.

Life moves on.

Mick-Mack and Barney Wee spot Barney as they return home from a chat with the timekeeper at the factory. Antony Blair found these buildings opposite St. Mary the Virgin church, just along from The Plough public house, on Tentelow Lane in Norwood Green, Southall. A distant view of the pub also appears in 'Miss Robin Hood'.

Antony's comparison shows that the nearest buildings in the screen capture have been demolished and Verona Terrace car park now occupies the site.

Sending Barney Wee home he follows Barney. This is looking west along Norwood Green Road in Southall located by Antony.

Antony provides this view from outside what is now the Khalsa Sikh school.

To see him enter ‘Oakleigh Hall , Home For Aged People'. Antony Blair advises that this is the main entrance to what was Norwood Hall.

The same gates taken by Antony.

Mick-Mack swallows his pride and takes a job as nightwatchman, but immediately loses it. Bulls Bridge looking across to Bulls Bridge Repair Yard.

A quieter spot to sit and contemplate these days.

Barney Wee skips along to school but sees Granddad……. Bulls Bridge looking S.E a similar angled shot appears in ‘The Criminal’ as do a number of other captures.

Nobody skipped along to see this Granddad with his camera.

……sitting by the canal.

The addition of a signpost but not much else has changed.

Barney Wee refuses to go to school and follows Mick-Mack, he returns to ‘Oakleigh Hall’. Norwood Green Road, Southall identified by Antony Blair.

In Antony's shot taken 74 years later, just two of the three trees at the gate remain.

Barney Wee persuades Mick-Mack to “come away”. Antony locates this as looking east on Norwood Green Road towards Tentelow Lane in Southall, Middlesex.

Proof of the location by Antony.

Mick-Mack doggedly walks on followed by Barney Wee.

“I’m tired, let’s go home Granddad”……..”home……I have no home." Bulls Bridge.

But it was time for me to go home.