Eyewitness (1956)
Date: 1956
Director: Muriel Box
Production Company: The Rank Organisation
Stars: Donald Sinden, Muriel Pavlow, Belinda Lee
Location(s): Middlesex
Region(s): South East E-L
Storyline:
The sole eyewitness of a fatal robbery is struck by a passing bus, and her life lies in the balance as the thieves wait for a chance to finish her off.
Additional Information:
Originally uploaded by Simon James with new screen captures and storyline by Phil Wilkinson
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
- 'Now' required

It's after dark when Lucy Church (Muriel Pavlow) arrives home.
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required

Putting her key into the front door, Lucy enters the house to find that her husband Jay has bought a television on HP.
- Capture 3
- 'Now' required

Jay Church (Michael Craig) watches Lucy storms out of the house after an argument about the commitment.
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required

Lucy walks away as Jay moves from the window and switches on the television.
- Capture 5
- 11 Sep 2022

Angry at Jay, Lucy heads towards town. St. Joseph's Drive in Southall, Middlesex seen from South Road.

To keep the atmosphere of the original, Antony Blair ventured out on a night shoot.
- Capture 6
- 11 Sep 2022

The camera follows Lucy. St. Joseph's Drive at the corner of South Road.

The same corner captured by Antony.
- Capture 7
- 03 Nov 2023

At home, Jay begins to understand why his wife is annoyed as Lucy continues walking. The corner of St. Joseph's Drive and South Road in Southall.

Taken from his car, Antony Blair found that sarees have replaced cigarettes at the corner shop.
- Capture 8
- 11 Feb 2015

After looking into a television shop window, Lucy heads to the cinema. Facing the Gaumont Southall on South Road, Southall in Middlesex, now Greater London, identified by Clive T on the Britmovie forum.

No longer a cinema. this comparison reveals a change of use. (RL)
- Capture 9
- 'Now' required

Entering to watch the film, Lucy soon decides to call Jay but gets no answer. Looking across South Road towards businesses opposite the Gaumont Southall.
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required

Barney (Nigel Stock) runs to catch Lucy as she flees along an alley after interrupting a violent robbery in one of the cinema's offices. The alley running along the north side of the Gaumont Southall with South Road in the distance.
- Capture 11
- 11 Feb 2015

Exiting the alley, Lucy runs in front of a bus and is knocked down. South Road in Southall, Middlesex.

There's the former cinema's side exit to the right. (RL)
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required

Barney comes to a stand as Wade (Donald Sinden) catches up with his colleague. Looking from South Road along the alley to the north of the Gaumont Southall.
- Capture 13
- 19 Jun 2019

Seeing the Crowd in front of the bus, a Policeman crosses the road to investigate. Continuity is good as this is the corner of Hamilton Road and South Road on the opposite side of the road to the cinema.

Antony Blair's view replaces Simon's Google shot and shows that barriers now to stop policemen from walking across the road.
- Capture 14
- 11 Feb 2015

An ambulance arrives shortly afterwards. South Road in Southall with the Gaumont Southall to the right. The cinema had several names before closing in 1982 to become an indoor market.

The bus stop remains in place. (RL)
- Capture 15
- 11 Sep 2022

The two crooks follow the ambulance as it drives away. Looking from the corner of Hamilton Road towards the Gaumont Southall on South Road. The cinema eventually reopened as the Himalaya Palace Cinema between 2001 and 2010 and is now the Palace Shopping Centre.

Taken from street level by Antony Blair.
- Capture 16
- 11 Sep 2022

Having left the house earlier for a pint, Jay leaves the pub as the ambulance carrying Lucy passes. High Street, Uxbridge in Middlesex identified by Antony Blair with the Falcon Inn to the right.

Antony provides this view of the pub which survives as a restaurant.
- Capture 17
- 'Now' required

Wade and Barney see the ambulance turn into the General Hospital. Shell Rubin recognised the Royal National Orthopædic Hospital on Brockley Hill in Stanmore, Middlesex, which can also be seen in 'Up the Creek'.
- Capture 18
- 'Now' required

Looking for someone to talk to, Jay moves on to the British Legion Club.
- Capture 19
- 'Now' required

The robbers drive to the side of the hospital where they find a small door. Wood Lane in Stanmore, Middlesex identified by Shell Rubin who adds that in the darkness to the left background is one of the ponds on Little Common.
- Capture 20
- 'Now' required

Barney works on opening the gate while Wade moves the car to a less conspicuous position. Shell Rubin locates this as Wood Lane, Stanmore.
- Capture 21
- 'Now' required

Having gained access to the hospital grounds, Wade looks for a way inside.
- Capture 22
- 'Now' required

Through the windows, Wade sees Lucy being wheeled into Elizabeth Ward.
- Capture 23
- 'Now' required

Barney runs away after a disagreement with Wade.
- Capture 24
- 'Now' required

The Hospital Security Guard (George Woodbridge) catches up as his dog restrains Barney.
- Capture 25
- 11 Sep 2022

Inside the cinema, a Detective Inspector continues his investigation into the murder of cinema employee Harry Hays. The Gaumont Southall on South Road, Southall.

The canopy remains in Antony Blair's view taken 66 years later.
- Capture 26
- 'Now' required

Becoming concerned about Lucy, Jay calls on his wife's friend Mrs. Sugdon.
- Capture 27
- 11 Sep 2022

On the suggestion of Mr. Sugdon, Jay makes his way to the police station. Uxbridge Police Station on Windsor Street in Uxbridge, Middlesex located by Antony Blair. Other views of the building can be seen in 'The Alphabet Murders' and 'Firefighters'.

Continuing his night walk, Antony took this comparison.
- Capture 28
- 11 Sep 2022

Jay enters the station and tells the Desk Sergeant that his wife is missing. Antony Blair identifies this as outside the Police Station on Windsor Street in Uxbridge.

Antony found the same steps leading to a different door.
- Capture 29
- 'Now' required

When the Desk Sergeant recognises the description of the woman who was knocked down earlier, Jay is taken to Barlow General Hospital by police car.
- Capture 30
- 'Now' required

Jay and an accompanying Police Officer rush into the hospital.

