Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu, The

The film opens in the mountainous wilderness where Fu Manchu is celebrating his 168th birthday at home. Saint Gervais les Bains in Haute-Savoie region of France.

In order to create more of his age-regressing elixir, Dr. Fu Manch sends one of his Dacoits to steal the Star of Leningrad diamond from an exhibition in Washington. Looking down at The White House and Lafayette Square at the southern end of 16th Street NW in Washington, DC.

After a clue is discovered at the museum the action moves to London. Westminster Bridge crossing from SE1 to SW1 with the Houses of Parliament across the River Thames.

The south side of the bridge looking west. SJ

The F.B.I. sends two agents to seek help from Scotland Yard. Middle Temple Lane in EC4 with Plowden Buildings to the left, Carpmael Building at the corner of Crown Office Row on the right and Fountain Court in the right of centre distance. Middle Temple and the area around features in several films including ‘The Battleaxe’, 'The Ware Case', ‘The Girl on the Boat’, 'David Copperfield', 'Mary Poppins Returns' and ‘Brothers in Law’.

There was no shortage of delivery vans and contractor vehicles during my visit. (RL)

Agents Pete Williams (Steve Franken) and Joe Capone (Sid Caesar) get out of the car.

Middle Temple Lane. Pipped at the post by RL for comparison 3 but this is a consolation! SJ

Perkins (John le Mesurier) serves a drink to Sir Denis Nayland Smith (Peter Sellers) as he mows the lawn at his Wiltshire cottage.

Bringing the American agents and his assistant Robert Townsend (Simon Williams) with him, Sir Roger Avery (David Tomlinson) climbs the gradient towards Sir Denis’s home.

Cut to the British Museum where another of the ingredients for Fu Manchu’s elixir is about to be obtained. Not as the sign reads, this is the University College London’s Wilkins Building on Gower Street, London WC1.

A sunnier picture. SJ

More of the Doctor’s minions carry a huge chest up to the building’s entrance. Looking onto the Front Quad at University College in Bloomsbury. UCL appears in a good number of productions including ‘The Idol’, ‘Doctor in the House’, 'K', 'Inception', ‘Raising the Wind’, ‘The Lost Language of Cranes’, ‘Inception’ and ‘Eyes Wide Shut’, 1959’s ‘The 39 Steps’, ‘The Man Who Never Was', ‘Thunderbirds’ and ‘Wicked as They Come’.

Some graduation day photos accompany the location ones. SJ

Gaining entry into the museum, the bandits steal a valuable mummy. The portico of the Wilkins Building at University College on Gower Street WC1.

Now. SJ

A Newsvendor (George Hilsdon) shouts out headlines concerning the stolen artifact. The junction formed by Middle Temple Lane and Crown Office Row in EC4.

One wouldn't expect change in these hallowed surroundings. (RL)

Being an expert on Dr. Fu Manchu, Sir Denis suspects that a theft from the Tower of London will be carried out. Looking across Tower Hill towards the Tower of London in EC3.

Not exactly aerial but I'm quite pleased with the angle. SJ

Between the warehouses of the Bermondsey docks, a Man cycles past Fu Manchu’s hideout. This is a set built at Studios de Boulogne on Avenue Jean-Baptiste Clément in Boulogne-Billancourt, Hauts-de-Seine.

Outside a conservatory, that may be a set, Sir Roger, Robert and several Constables stand ready while inside, Sir Denis thwarts Fu Manchu’s plan to kidnap Queen Mary. Flip Jansen identifies the botanical gardens as Les Serres d'Auteuil at the corner of Avenue Gordon-Bennett and Avenue de la Prte d'Auteuil in the 16th arrondissement of Paris.

In Windsor, Sir Roger and Joe Capone prepare themselves outside the antique shop which the Queen is about to visit. Facing north on Church Street in Windsor, Berkshire with Windsor Castle on Castle Hill in the left distance. The area around this narrow street also appears in 'Allez France!', 'Tunes of Glory' and 'The Last Page'.

Now packed with tourists, who were captured by Steve Randall.

Taking the place of Queen Mary, actress Alice Rage (Helen Mirren) rides through the streets in a Royal carriage. The junction of Castle Hill and High Street in Windsor with Windsor Castle filling the background. The location also features in 'The Vulture', 'No Sex Please, We're British' and 'The Mudlark'.

Very little has changed in Steve Randall's shot.

While Alice is being kidnapped by a disguised Fu Manchu inside the shop, the oblivious Sir Roger and his men wait in the street. Church Street in Windsor with what is currently the Nell Gwynn Tearoom in the background.

Steve Randall found a blue look for Nell Gwynn.

A depleted Fu Manchu is carried into the restaurant which fronts his hideout. Studios de Boulogne on Avenue Jean-Baptiste Clément in Boulogne-Billancourt.

Two Dacoits leave the premises of Dr. Arnold Wretch where Sir Nules Thudd is attending a consultation after eating in Fu Manchu’s restaurant. Geoff Dodd believes this to be 43 Bedford Square, London WC1. The only aspect that differs from the current facade is the fanlight but contemporary photographs to the film capture support the variation. (RL)

The south side of Bedford Square. SJ

Sir Roger, Robert and the American’s accompany Sir Denis to his cottage in which they are transported to the Himalayas.

Having flown across the globe, Sir Denis’s balloon assisted cottage lands close to Fu Manchu’s mountain base. Saint-Gervais-les-Bains in Haute-Savoie, France.