Family Way, The

Date: 1966
Director: Roy Boulting
Production Company: Jambox

Stars: Hayley Mills, Hywel Bennett, John Mills, Marjorie Rhodes, Barry Foster
Location(s): Berkshire, Lancashire

Region(s): ,

Storyline:

A compassionate look at the troubles of newlyweds Jenny and Arthur. Living with Arthur’s parents proves difficult and is putting pressure on their marriage.

Additional Information:

Screen captures and uncredited ‘now’ images uploaded by Phil Wilkinson with additional captures from Dave Evans.

 

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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.

The first three images are from a panning shot at the start of the film. Sparth Bottoms Road at the junction with Albion Road and Fern Street, Rochdale looking towards the Cotton Mills and Norman Road in the distance. The skyline is a matte.

The nearest possible now shot due to the encroachment of undergrowth where the film camera was situated.

Panning further and looking along Albion Road, Rochdale, Lancashire.

Taken from a lower position. The scene was a matted shot, apparently based on this corner.

Panning further. The road running through the middle of Dane Street Gas Works is Church Street, Rochdale.

This area is part of an industrial yard.

  • 'Now' required

Arthur Fitton (Hywel Bennett) wakes up. The rear of properties on Wheatfield Street in Bolton identified by Dave Evans.

Jenny Piper (Hayley Mills) looks into the window of a travel agency as Arthur gets off his brother Geoffrey's (Murray Head) motorcycle.

Victoria Square, Bolton looking towards the Town Hall. No fountains or bus shelters in the square now.

Arthur watches as Geoffrey gives Jenny a lift home.

Trees everywhere now. Victoria Square, Bolton in Lancashire.

A florist's window attracts Arthur's attention.

Dave Evans captured a similar view of the Civic Centre, next to the Town Hall on Howell Croft North in Bolton.

Geoffrey and Jenny near home. Dave Evans identifies this as View Street in the Deane District of Bolton.

The same location now taken by Dave.

Arthur and Jenny run towards home on their wedding night.

The same passageway now, leading from houses on St. Albans Terrace above Sparth Bottoms Road, Rochdale.

A passionate moment outside the house.

St. Albans Terrace, Rochdale.

The morning after the wedding dawns.

This longshot is from Dave Evans and shows Bolton looking towards the Moors. The Winter Hill TV mast is slightly to the left in the screen capture. Bolton school can be seen in both images. As a matter of interest, models of the two high-rise flats in the foreground are on the Housing Officers desk when the newly weds go to apply for a Council House.

Ezra Fitton (John Mills) walks to work along Church Street at the junction with Sparth Bottoms Road, Rochdale.

The nearest possible now shot due to demolition, undergrowth and redevelopment. The lorry is standing along the line of what was Church Street.

Ezra reaches the main gate of the gas works. Jason Brewer identifies this as Bolton Gas Works on Gas Street, Bolton and Paul Weir adds that the long forgotten road name is Cromwell Street.

And here is stands - the gas holder in the screen shot has gone but part of the wall still exists, albeit lower than originally built.

Arthur and Jenny arrive in town to go on their honeymoon.

Victoria Square, Bolton with Bolton Town Hall in the background.

The travel agency has closed and the owner has disappeared with all the money. No honeymoon for Arthur and Jenny.

The location still has a travel agency. Victoria Square, Bolton.

The Fitton's home. St. Albans Terrace, Rochdale. Dave Evans adds "the back of the house, including the back yard was in Wheatfield Street, Bolton. What seemed too be one House was in fact two houses in different towns."

St. Albans Terrace near the Manchester Road end of Sparth Bottoms Road, Rochdale.

Geoffrey takes Jenny motorcycle scrambling. Dave Evans identifies this as Smiths Road.

Smiths Road, Bolton now. Image from dave Evans.

The scrambling gets under way. Filmed on waste ground between Hall Lane, Moses Gate, Farnworth (Goes to Little Lever) and Smiths Road, Bolton (Goes to Darcy Lever). The backs of the houses in the distance are in fact Starcliffe Street, Moses Gate. Located by Dave Evans.

This is Bull Hill which became a landfill site around twenty years ago. Picture by Dave.

  • 'Now' required

Arthurs boss, Joe Thompson (Barry Foster) leaves the projection room of the cinema. The Slough History On Line website mentions that this is The Ambassador Cinema. The building stood at the corner of Farnham Road and Essex Avenue in Slough.

After Jenny meets her husband from work, the couple discuss their predicament on the way home. Enrique Sánchez confirms Dave Evans' identification of Bolton Town Hall on Victoria Square.

The steps of Bolton Town Hall now by Dave Evans.

Arthur visits a marriage guidance counsellor. The Butts in Rochdale Town Centre confirmed by Richard Farnell who adds that "The 'Marriage Guidance' sign actually leads to a local stockbroker’s office run by the Trippier family, a partner of which went on to become the MP for Rossendale."

The Butts, Rochdale looking towards the junction of Constantine Road, Smith Street, South Parade and Drake Street. The steps and pillars now belong to an RBS Bank.

Len (Michael Cadman) meets his girlfriend Dora (Lesley Daine) as she and Jenny leave work. Ivan Bennett advises that the electrical goods shop where Hayley Mills character worked was Edward Bullough Ltd, later taken over by Rumbelows. It occupied 29-35 Knowsley Street in Bolton, adjoining Victoria Hall. Ivan worked in the shop in the 1970s and confirms that the record department seen in the film was the actual one within the shop.

Knowsley Street in Bolton, identified and captured by Dave Evans.

Jenny takes the bus back home. The bus belongs to Bolton Corporation but Brian Heyes advises that this road was never on a route. Jason Brewer adds, and Brian confirms, that Jenny gets off the bus near Grisdale Road where 'Spring and Port Wine' was filmed and that this is Horeb Street, Bolton looking towards Quebec Street.

Clive send this image of Horeb Street. Image copyright Google Streetview.

  • 'Now' required

Panning shot of Arthur walking home near the canal. the bridge over the Rochdale Canal at Slattocks, south of Castleton, Lancashire.

  • 'Now' required

Panning further with Arthur alongside the Rochdale Canal at Slattocks. The houses to the right are on Rochdale Road.

  • 'Now' required

Arthur leaves the canal side and heads for Rochdale Road near to the present Slattocks Roundabout on the A664 / A627(M).

When they receive an insurance refund for the lost honeymoon, things start to work out for the couple as the neighbours look on.

This shot of the window at the rear of Wheatfield Street in Darcy Lever, Bolton is the best that Dave Evans could get without knocking on the front door!