Fate Takes a Hand

Children play cowboys and Indians in a scrap yard before one of them comes across a box containing a gun and a mailbag.

At New Scotland Yard, undelivered letters from a robbery fifteen years previously are discovered in the mailbag. Scotland Yard on Derby Gate seen from Victoria Embankment SW1.

Looking east along Derby Gate. SJ

With the letters sent to the G.P.O.’s Investigation Department, Superintendent Finch tasks Security Officer Tony Reeve to deliver the delayed messages. The Post Office on Blythe Road in W14 with Blythe House behind.

Looking west on Blythe Road. SJ

Accompanied by journalist Karon Green (Christina Gregg), Tony Reeve (Ronald Howard) leaves the Post Office. The entrance to Blythe Road Post Office in Hammersmith.

The entrance is now sealed off. SJ

Following a brief discussion, the two set out to call on Mr. Briggs, the first addressee. Outside Blyth Road Post Office with The Beaconsfield public house at the corner of Beaconsfield Terrace Road in the background.

Looking north. SJ

Tony and Karon leave Mr. Briggs after hearing the happy tale surrounding his letter. This is the entrance to Addisland Court on Holland Villas Road W14 found by Aidan McManus and Kate Quill after an appeal for information on Twitter..

The front door remains attractive. SJ

Noting that the second address is Jenny Thompson’s in Brook Green, Tony drives away. Addisland Court on Holland Villas Road, Holland Park identified by Kate Quill and Aidan McManus.

Peering around the encroaching greenery, Kate Quill provides this comparison.

The camera follows the Triumph Herald Coupe as it turns onto the main road. Located by Aidan and Kate, this is Holland Villas Road in Holland Park W14.

Same wall and gateway post. SJ

A short while later, the pair reach number 32 where Jenny has lived alone in her flat for 20 years. Ray Glenister provides the location, St. Anns Villas, London W11 (RL)

Replacing Ray's Streetview proof from April 2020 as with the next three. SJ

Entering the building, Tony and Karon find Jenny’s rooms where they listen to her sorrowful story. Identified by Ray as 7 St. Anns Villas, London W11 (RL)

As above, replacing the Streetview. SJ

Tony and Karon leave Jenny to cry in her flat and return to the car to deliver the last three letters. A nostalgic shot of a Triumph Herald in St. Anns Villas, London W11 identified by Ray. (RL)

Another replacement. More pavement now making a thicker corner. SJ

The pair head off to find Mr. Wheeler Collins. The pair head off north along St. Anns Villas, London W11 with Queensdale Road, to the left. (RL)

And turning around from the previous shot. SJ

Arriving at Mr. Collins’ office, the two are told that he is on his way home from the golf club. From the top of Dave W's head, or was it the top of a No. 24 bus, Monsanto House at 10 to 18 Victoria Street, London SW1. (RL)

An emphatic 10. SJ

The shot tilts up the modern office block. Monsanto House on Victoria Street SW1 which appeared in the following year's 'Identity Unknown' as well as featuring in 'The Pursuers' and 'An Honourable Murder'. (RL)

On the north side of Victoria Street. SJ

Tony and Karon leave the house where Wheeler’s correspondence from the War Office prevents his wife from framing him. The corner of Addison Avenue and Queensdale Road in W11. The location is also seen in ‘European Vacation’ and ‘The Knack . . . and How to Get It’.

More of a roundabout these days. SJ

The Triumph is turned around in the street. Addison Avenue in Holland Park with St. James’s church in St. James’s Gardens in the left distance.

Looking north. SJ

The next call is on Morris Maxwell MP where the ransom letter answers questions about the time his daughter Sally went missing for two days. The Houses of Parliament in SW1 seen across the River Thames from Albert Embankment SE1.

I couldn't match the clouds on such a sparkling morning. SJ

Tony and Karon visit the prison where ‘Bulldog’ Stephens is serving time. Wormwood Scrubs on Du Cane Road in London W12. The highly recognisable location features in numerous films including ‘The Hi-Jackers’, ‘The Italian Job’, 'Strictly Confidential', ‘Three Steps to the Gallows’, ‘Morgan, a Suitable Case for Treatment’, ‘Impact’, ‘Nothing Barred’, ‘Bullseye’ and ‘Jungle Street’.

I should've crouched down a bit more. SJ

Bulldog Stephens (Jack Watson) tells his story of finding a young girl crying on a bomb site during the war. Dave W picked up on snippet of detail elsewhere that in turn led him to the partly demolished rear elevations of Delamere Terrace W9, looking towards Blomfield Road on the north side of The Grand Union Canal, Paddington Branch. Delamere Terrace was demolished in 1961 providing the film with an ideal location to simulate WWII destruction from above. (RL)

Sally Maxwell (Gilda Emmanuelli) cowers in a pile of rubble as Doodlebugs fall nearby. As per the previous Capture, rear elevations of Delamere Terrace W9, looking towards Blomfield Road on the north side of The Grand Union Canal, Paddington Branch. (RL)

Hearing the girl’s sobbing, Bulldog makes his way towards her. The exposed vaults upon which the roadway of Delamere Terrace was constructed identified by Dave W. In the distance and slightly to the left of centre the single-width portico of (now) 64 Blomfield Road is seen. Renumbering has taken place since 1961. (RL)

Rescuing Sally from the wasteland, Bulldog takes her to the safety of Blitz Mob’s headquarters. Amid the partly demolished frontages of Delamere Terrace says Dave W. The side elevation of what appears to be former 13 Delamere Terrace is visible on the left. LPA 94621 shows the front of 13 to match this. (RL)

After another happy conclusion, Tony and Karon drive to find the final addressee. Rather than a back projection, the Triumph is dragged around Marble Arch on a process trailer. In the right background stands the corner of Great Cumberland Place W1.

This shot will be eminently replaceable once the building's completed. SJ

Turning into Park Lane brings Barclays Bank and the entrance to Marble Arch station into view. Triumph Herald Coupe registration number YDU 927 also features in the 1960 Danziger production 'Identity Unknown'.

Less busy for the moment. SJ

Another turn and the car is heading back west on Tyburn Way. On the extreme right the corner of Park Lane and North Row is visible.

Taken at roughly the same time of day. SJ

The two leave a boxing club after passing on some deserved good news to former boxer Ronnie Dale. The end on junction on Prince’s Square and Ilchester Gardens in W2.

Now part of Prince's Square Hotel. SJ

Tony follows to open Karon's door as the two make it to the car just in time for the end titles to begin. Looking north along Prince’s Square in Bayswater.

Rather bigger cars nowadays. SJ