Forbidden Cargo

Following reports of “Naval types” landing stores on the beach in the Seaburyness bird sanctuary, Inspector Michael Kenyon (Nigel Patrick) arrives to investigate. As Ray and Ron say, almost impossible to locate precisely but given the fencing, the view, and the less restrictive road side seen in the following two captures this could well be somewhere along Old Lydd Road, Camber, Rye in Sussex. (RL)

A truck carrying RN markings drives from the beach after receiving a consignment of boxes from a landing craft. After more years than he cares to remember Ray and Ron Glenister recall that this could be a road on the west bank of the River Rother at the entrance to Rye Harbour. (RL)

The Customs & Excise Officer pulls out from behind a dune and follows the truck. Ray and Ron's location identification of the previous capture was largely prompted by their belief that the car was not behind a dune, but a pillbox, specifically the one that can be viewed at https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archives/view/dob/ai_full_r.cfm?refno=6989 (RL)

Turning from the main road eight miles inland, the Commer truck enters a disused airfield.

Several Men climb out of the truck and one of them unlocks the door to a derelict hut.

Leaving his car outside the airfield and concealing himself in the undergrowth, Kenyon watches as the truck is unloaded.

When the next shipment is due, the Waterguard intercept the truck and, following a struggle, the Smugglers are captured.

Kenyon leaves Seaburyness when the owner of the landing craft, Stephen Lasovic, refuses to answer questions. Steve Randall found the Estate Office at Aylesbury End in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire.

Antony Blair captured the scene 69 years later with an older tree and just a few more cars in shot.

After Lasowic turns up dead whilst on bail, Kenyon pays a visit to his hotel in Bayswater where he is handed a laundry parcel that has arrived. The Kings Court Hotel at the corner of Leinster Gardens and Queen's Gardens W2.

To the left, workmen are digging up yet another road making this the best comparison possible. (PW)

When an envelope bearing the letters PA and Miss Rita Compton's address is found in the package, Kenyon's boss Major White visits fictional Breakspeare Mews. Clabon Mews, SW1 close to the intersection with Milner Street looking south (SJ)

Looking south. SJ

The door is opened by Rita's brother Roger who asks Major Alec White (Jack Warner) inside. As mentioned above, this should be approximately 35 Clabon Mews but since redeveloped. (SJ)

Yes, redeveloped. SJ

Hearing that Rita didn't know Lasowic and that she was going to the south of France the next day, the Major departs. Clabon Mews looking north. The southern end of the mews can be seen in 'Playback', 'Clue of the Silver Key' and 'The Rivals'. (SJ)

And further changes up the mews. SJ

With Major White unsure about Miss Compton's answers, Kenyon follows her to Cannes.

Kenyon discovers that the Crompton's are staying on the motor yacht Fantasia as a guest of Madame Simonetta, the head of a London fashion house.

Following the Fantasia, Kenyon keeps up his observation.

With Kenyon having contrived several meetings with Miss Compton, the two begin to see each other regularly.

Kenyon watches the Fantasia's crew walk ashore after Madame Simonetta, Max and Rita leave for the afternoon.

Taking the opportunity, Kenyon steps aboard to search the yacht for clues.

Catching the undercover official in the cabin after an envelope addressed to Madame Simonetta bearing PA is discovered, Robert accompanies Kenyon on a diving trip when he explains that he was looking for scuba equipment.

After Robert discovers Kenyon's identity, the customs officer follows the Fantasia to Marseilles where a connection is made between the letters and the Python, a ship owned by the Pan Athenian Steamship Line. With an added Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, Cannes also doubles for Marseilles.

Returning to London and being followed by an plainclothes Customs Officer, Rita arrives at the Windsor Hotel in Kensington to meet her brother for lunch. The Windsor Hotel once occupied 59 – 60 Lancaster Gate in W2 and is also seen in ‘Two Weeks in September’. Linus Deasy recalls staying at the hotel in the 1960s. It was owned by his Aunt and Uncle who had established a hotel company, Kingsley-Windsor Hotels, and the Windsor Hotel is where they made their home.

Construction work behind and parked cars in front make an accurate comparison impossible. (PW)

Watched by the Waterguard since entering British waters, SS Python arrives in London. Greenwich SE10 with the chimneys of Greenwich Power Station in the left distance and the domed towers of the Royal Naval College in the centre distance.

As Python reaches “The Pool”, Customs Officials board and search the ship. This is the Upper Pool of the River Thames but continuity has fallen by the wayside as the ship is heading down river towards the tower of St. Mary’s church in Bermondsey which can be seen to the right of centre distance while the warehouses lining Wapping High Street stand on the left.

We had sunnier days in 1954. (RL)

Tower Bridge opens to allow the Python through as the inspection continues. Tower Bridge crossing the Thames between Stepney, at the time of filming, and Bermondsey.

The boat to Greenwich wouldn't quite steer the correct angle! SJ

After SS Python docks the search ends with nothing but petty contraband found on board. The Bermondsey landing of Tower Bridge in SE1 with the Anchor Brewery beyond and Butler’s Wharf in the left background.

When COVID and engineering works are behind us many more shots in the area will be possible. (RL)

Under cover of darkness, Roger hides in the shadows after making his way ashore with a canister containing currency that he retrieved from the hull of the Python. Ray Glenister locates this as what is now London Bridge Hospital, Bridge Yard, London SE1. Capture 28 would be panning left. (RL)

Replacing Ray's GEV proof from May '22 with some obstructions. SJ

Checking padlocks as he walks his beat, a Constable moves away from the warehouse where Roger is concealed.

When the coast is clear, Roger makes his way to the main road where he jumps onto a departing bus. Dave W tells us that, then, he would have been jumping on a No 10 bus to Victoria as he exits Bridge Yard, London SE1 looking across Tooley Street to London Bridge Station. (RL)

Replacing Dave's lockdown GEV from Feb '21 with a white van and scaffolding as we look south. SJ

As the bus arrives at Victoria station, Roger jumps from the platform straight into the arms of a Policeman who warns him to take care before he heads for the left luggage office. Victoria station on Terminus Place SW1.

In daytime. SJ

When Rita raises the alarm after her brother discovers that the canister contains cocaine, Major White, Kenyon, Larkins and Parker arrive at Victoria station. The forecourt of Victoria station features in many films including ‘Robbery’, ‘The End of the Line’, ‘Night Ferry’, ‘Say Hello to Yesterday’, 'Two On the Tiles', ‘Man From Tangier’, ‘Child in the House’ and ‘Somewhere on Leave’.

Not at all busy. SJ

The Customs Officers head to the Left Luggage Office where they find the package and wait for someone to collect it.

A Porter sweeps up on the deserted concourse.

This to match the right half of the capture. SJ

Kenyon and Larkins follow Porter Charlie Deighton from the concourse after he picks up the canister.

The expanded ticket office obscures most of the detail of the capture. SJ

The Customs Officers watch as the Porter carries the canister to a Rolls Royce in which Robert and Max are waiting. The forecourt of Victoria station on Terminus Place in SW1.

Followed by the Major and his men, the Silver Wraith begins to head towards the City. Another location identification from Ray places this as Chester Row, Belgravia SW1, looking west just before it intersects with South Eaton Place. (RL)

A clearer shot on a sparkling winter's daytime shot. SJ

Looking in the rear view mirror, Roger notices that they are being followed. The frontage and gates of the Custom House on Lower Thames Street EC3.

Taken through a brief gap in traffic. (PW)

Watched by Policemen in a patrol car parked across the road, Robert pulls over at the corner of Mark Street to let Max out of the Rolls.

The patrol car sets off in pursuit when the Officers see White’s car speed past. Outside the Custom House on Lower Thames Street. This scene, along with footage seen later, is reused in 1959's 'Behemoth the Sea Monster'.

The Custom House survives, as does Billingsgate Market's building to the extreme right. (PW)

Major White and his men are stopped by the Policemen before the Customs Official shows his identification and tells them to radio for assistance.

When the Major learns that Max got out of the car, the police are left to follow the Rolls whilst the Customs Officers return to Mark Street. In front of the Custom House on Lower Thames Street in EC3.

The roadway in front of the building has been realigned. (PW)

The film’s chase sequence continues. Lower Thames Street with the Yarmouth Arms public house to the centre and the Coal Exchange to the extreme left. The pub stood at number 88 and closed in the late 1950s.

The location of the pub now. (PW)

This is looking up St. Dunstan’s Hill from Lower Thames Street EC3 with St. Dunstan in the East church visible in the top background.

In daylight with replacement framing buildings. (PW)

White and Kenyon arrive on the film's Mark Street. The corner of Upper Belgrave Street, London SW1 and 35 Belgrave Square advises Dave W. (RL)

In retrospect (and how often does that happen), I should've been further back. SJ

With no sign of Max, the Officials continue on to Madame Simonetta's apartment which is nearby. Here, Dave says, we are looking at 'Seaford House', 37 Belgrave Square, London SW1 (RL)

Also featured in " The Wild Geese". SJ

Roger tries to shake off the police by taking a sharp corner. Lower Thames Street with Billingsgate Buildings to the right.

Looking west along the same street. (PW)

The camera moves with the cars as Robert is followed around the corner into Monument Street EC3. To the right is the corner of Botolph Lane. The street is also seen in ‘The File of the Golden Goose’, ‘The Sandwich Man’ and ‘Inspector Clouseau’.

Monument Street now. (PW)

More cars join the pursuit as the Rolls Royce keeps ahead. Billingsgate Market on Lower Thames Street seen from the corner of St. Mary at Hill with the pillars of the Coal Exchange to the left. The location is seen in ‘Charley Moon’.

The same corner from street level. (PW)

The Silver Wraith is followed around another corner. The pattern of overhead street lamps suggests that this is the corner of Monument Street and St. Mary at Hill in EC3.

And this appears to be the same place . . . . maybe. (PW)

Police cars race down St. Dunstan’s Hill. To the left stands the wall in front of St. Dunstan in the East church. St. Dunstan’s Hill is also featured in ‘Children of the Damned’ and 'Inspector Clouseau'.

From a similar position. (PW)

Robert speeds past a red traffic light at the entrance to Tower Bridge. Looking north towards Tower Bridge Approach EC3.

Slightly more traffic, maybe the lights were not red. (RL)

The deck of the bridge begins to rise as a Policeman signals Robert to stop.

It is quite some time since I last saw the bridge rise. (RL)