Evidence in Concrete (A Scotland Yard supporting feature)

Edgar Lustgarten narrates "Besides the police, there is in England another body of highly trained men who patrol the roads of the country. These are the patrols of the AA, the Automobile Association, an organisation for motorists whose objective is service for travellers on the road." Peter Bywaters spotted the footage which was taken from the 'Look at Life' featurette 'Horse-Power Riders' and suspects that this scene may have been shot somewhere near the AA training college at Widmerpool Hall, Nottinghamshire.

"When drivers are in trouble, the AA gets them going again. When the going is difficult, the AA is on hand to give warning and help."

"By day and by night, the long, strong arm of the AA is ready to bring quick aid to the driver in distress." Peter Bywaters found the Council House on Old Market Square in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire from a scene which is also featured in 'Horse-Power Riders'.

"The headquarters of these and many other services is Fanum House, Leicester Square in the heart of the metropolis . . ." As described, this is Fanum House in Leicester Square W1.

From ground level. (PW)

". . . and the nerve centre is the control room. It was here that this extraordinary case began." Fanum House at the corner of Leicester Square and Panton Street.

The change of use is apparent. (PW)

After AA Scout Harris discovers a Girl's body on the A5 north of Redbourne in Hertfordshire, Detective Superintendent Duggan (Russell Napier) and Detective Sergeant Adams (Howard Pays) visit the local police station where Harry Dollan is explaining to Inspector Lucas that his lorry containing 200 cases of Glen Mist whisky has been stolen. The Register Office for Births, Deaths and Marriages at 35 Coombe Road in Kingston-Upon-Thames, Surrey. The building can be seen in 'We Shall See', 'The Share Out', 'The Never Never Murder', 'The Silent Weapon' and 'Private Information'.

Whilst out walking the dog, Peter Bywaters captured this unobstructed view of the building.

The Superintendent and his Sergeant are driven to the story's Bridge Road in SW20 to call on Alice Brent who had reported her daughter Mavis missing. Dave W has located this capture - Maxwell Road SW6 looking towards the Sands End gas holder. (RL)

The view south-east over King's Road has changed with the removal of the gasometer and replacement of offices for even more flats on Michael Road in the mid 2010s. SJ

"Attached to the Yard are a number of men and women who take jobs that enable them to move more inconspicuously among people and in places than would be possible for regular members of the force." The Soho Provision Store on the corner of Bateman Street and Greek Street in W1.

The untidy pointing is quite visible, but they could be reclaimed bricks. (PW)

Stepping onto the street from a grocery shop, Sergeant Kendall (Edward Dentith) carries a box towards his van. Outside the Soho Provision Store with an address at 53 Greek Street.

The same frontages, some with added steps. (PW)

Around the corner the undercover Sergeant, whose task was to make contact with those dealing in smuggled drugs and stolen liquor, places the box in his van before driving away. Looking north on Greek Street W1 with Soho Square in the distance. The corner can be seen in 'Last Night in Soho'. 'The Blue Parrot' and 'The Look of Love'.

The trees of Soho Square remain in the distance. (PW)

When Sandra Bates makes contact with Scotland Yard about Miss Brent's liaisons with a lorry driver on the Glasgow to London run, the Superintendent and Sergeant Adams pay a visit to Mr. Dollan. Dave W spots Churchill Gardens Road SW1 with the Victorian St Gabriel's Primary School preserved amid the nineteen-fifties architeture of Churchill Gardens estate. (RL)

On reflection I should be further back but this is looking east towards St Gabriel's. SJ

Inside the flat where Dollan lives with his Wife and her brother Sam Walker, questions are asked about Mavis Brent. Given the location of the previous capture Dave feels that the projecting balconies narrow the possibilities among the many blocks of Churchill Gardens and suggests that Wilkins House fits the bill very well. Other parts of the estate feature in 'Genevieve', 'The Big Chance', 'Dance Hall', 'House of Whipcord', 'Three Hats for Lisa' and 'All the Right Noises'. (RL)

Wilkins House looks bang on, with added white boards running above the window frames. SJ

Dollan explains that Mavis was asleep in his lorry at the time it was stolen before the action moves back to Soho, the Capital's Latin quarter. Berwick Street in Soho W1 with the City of London public house at the corner of Peter Street to the left. The street is seen in many productions including 'The Small World of Sammy Lee', 'Strictly for the Birds', ‘The Playbirds’, ‘Turn the Key Softly’ and 'Make Mine a Million'.

No pub on this corner of Berwick Street now. (PW)

In a side street, Karl Jellinec (Derek Sydney) counts the notes that he's just been handed. Silver Place W1, facing the junction with Lexington Street and Beak Street.

Much of the past survives. (PW)

Sergeant Kendall draws up in his van and Jellinec gets in. Looking north on Ingestre Place with Silver Place to the left, Trenchard House on the right and Broadwick Street in the distance. The location also features in 'Sid and Nancy'.

The footprint of Trenchard House remains, albeit on the first floor now. (PW)

The Sergeant drives Jellinec to a quiet cul-de-sac where the informer is shown a bottle of export Glen Mist whisky. Dufour's Place W1 with The Crown public house at the corner of Broadwick Street in the background. The short street can also be seen in 'The Gambler and the Lady'.

Every building replaced. (PW)

As he searches for information about the A5 whisky robbery, Jellinec meets with Gloria, a nightclub dancer, who puts him in touch with Mr. Hardy. Piccadilly Circus in W1 with Coventry Street leading away on the left.

The bright lights have gone and "Eros" has wandered a little. (PW)

Inspector Duggan consults an expert at the London offices of a great civil engineering organisation when white patches on Mavis's clothing are identified as a special cement.

Ellis from the construction film takes the Inspector to the site where the cement was recently used, very close to where Mavis's body was found. The slip road is from Junction 8 of the M1 Motorway onto the A4147 Breakspear Way on the outskirts of Hemel Hempsted in Hertfordshire, since renumbered to the A414.

The Men arrive at an old farm taken over by the civil engineers where the Foreman is waiting.

Near the derelict farmhouse, Ellis (Frederick Piper) and Inspector Duggan get out of the car.

The Inspector, Sergeant Adams and Ellis make their way to the building where they meet the Foreman and discover that the padlock on the front door has been forced.

While Ellis and the Detectives secrete themselves inside the farmhouse, Sam Walker and Hardy arrive in a Bedford van.