Fire Has Been Arranged, A

Following a robbery, Bud (Bud Flanagan), Ches (Chesney Allen) and Hal (Hal Walters) bury stolen jewellery close to a tree in a remote field.

Alerted to the smash and grab raid, the police set off in search of the crooks' as they leave the field and drive away in their old Fiat.

A car full of Detectives pulls the Fiat over and the robbers are captured.

While Bud, Ches and Hal serve their sentences, the passage of time sees the area around the tree being developed with a large department store built over the buried jewellery.

After the three jailbirds are recruited by the crooked owners of the failing department store, Shuffle, Cutte, Bud and Ches leave Hal behind to set fire to the building. Station Road, Beaconsfield, looking south, where the fork to the right is Grove Road, identified by Phil Richards. The car, he says, is about to turn into the garage of 'M J Hughes' that also features in 'The Fast Lady'. (RL)

Phil provides this shot of the much changed scene now. (RL)

With the engine misfiring, Shuffle and Cutte's car pulls onto the forecourt of the petrol station 'M J Hughes', Station Road, Beaconsfield also featuring in 'The Fast Lady'. (RL)

Still associated with the motor industry 'M J Hughes' is now a Mercedes dealership. (RL)

Bringing the car to a stand, the Chauffeur remarks that the engine will take a few hours to fix. The white background buildings Phil says, were a children's convalescent home, now long gone. (RL)

Phil reveals that the whole site has been significantly redeveloped. (RL)

When Cutte orders Bud to find a replacement vehicle he speaks with the garage proprietor Patrick Murphy. The premises of 'M J Hughes' at the time of filming and many years thereafter. (RL)

A wider view of the location from Phil Richards to put the changes into context. (RL)

The four men drive away after a deal is struck to buy the old car. The premises of 'M J Hughes' at the time of filming and many years thereafter as revealed by Phil Richards. (RL)

Phil managed to capture a car driving in. (RL)

Arriving at a hotel to provide an alibi, Shuffle (C. Denier Warren) and Cutte (Alastair Sim) climb out of the car's 'dickie' seat. The Bell House on Oxford Road between Beaconsfield and Gerrards Cross in Buckinghamshire.

With thanks to the Management and Staff of the Crowne Plaza Gerrards Cross for allowing access and adding interesting information about the location. (PW)

Back at the store, Hal gets to work cutting the phone lines.

Discovering that the building's insurance ran out at two o'clock, Cutte orders the men back to the car. The much extended Bell House is presently a Crowne Plaza hotel.

The building stands on the site of a much older inn and has been extended many times in the course of its life. (PW)

After the store owners climb into the 'dickie' seat of the wrong car, they call to Bud and Ches as they drive away. The Bell House Hotel also appears in 'Anoop and the Elephant'.

With acknowledgements to the Management and Staff of the Crowne Plaza Gerrards Cross. (PW)

Stopping for petrol, Bud and Ches realise that their passengers are missing. Phil Richards identifies them stopping at 'Brown's Garage', 22 Wycombe End, Beaconsfield, Bucks. (RL)

What was the garage out of sight to the right has now been replaced by modern offices Phil tells us. (RL)

Hurrying to stop Hal from setting the fire, Bud and Ches get trapped on a level crossing. Greenland Mill level crossing on Bridge Street in Bradford on Avon, Somerset with Greenland Mills in the left distance.

When the crossing gates close around them, the car is turned and driven along the railway - don't try this at home folks. Facing east along the railway from Greenland Mill level crossing towards the viaduct over the River Avon to the east of Bradford on Avon.

A train approaches from the behind. Looking west over the River Avon bridge towards Greenland Mill level crossing and Bradford Tunnel.

The car rumbles away between the two tracks. Facing east across the River Avon bridge towards Bradford Junction from Greenland Mill level crossing.

Bud and Ches enter a tunnel followed by the express. The eastern portal of Bradford Tunnel adjacent to Greenland Mill level crossing.

Sent in by his brother Ivor, John Williams took this view of the tunnel mouth.

With the bodywork stripped away by the train whilst passing through the tunnel, Bud and Ches arrive at a station. Bradford-on-Avon station on Station Approach off St. Margaret’s Street in Bradford on Avon, Somerset.

Managing to get off the railway line the two find themselves on a race track. Brooklands Motor Circuit near Byfleet in Surrey. The circuit also features in 'The Rake's Progress', 'Death Is a Number', 'Ask a Policeman', 'The Dam Busters', 'Death Drives Through' and 'Q Planes'.

John Harwood, with guidance from Rod who volunteers at the museum, pinned it down to here. (Sj)

The pair get caught up in a race before managing to leave the track. Brooklands hosted its last race in 1939 and a part remains as the Brooklands Museum.

John H. and Rod again. (SJ)

While Hal is busy in the store's basement, Bud and Ches approach a ford with less than caution . . . . and stall the car.

In their fire brigade uniforms, the stores Shop Girls (The Buddy Bradley Rhythm Girls) re directed by Oswald (Robb Wilton) after he's alerted to the blaze.