Foreman Went to France, The
Date: 1941
Director: Charles Frend
Production Company: Ealing Studios
Stars: Tommy Trinder, Constance Cummings, Clifford Evans, Robert Morley, Gordon Jackson, Ernest Milton, Charles Victor, John Williams
Location(s): Cornwall, Kent, Wiltshire
Region(s): South East E-L, South West
Storyline:
As the Nazis invade France a British factory foreman goes to recover valuable machinery that the British don’t want to see falling into German hands. Based on the true story of Melbourne Johns, the film was made at the height of the Second World War and considered by some as a propaganda piece.
Additional Information:
The upload of the film was first commenced by Russell Groves with Captures 8 to 11
Following the identification of the port from which they depart for England by Chris Caddy, screen captures 16 to 22, together with comparison images, were added by Richard Lovejoy.
Recently, Lorna Jenkin provided more location identification, as well as support information, which indicated that the film needed to be addressed once more in greater detail. In consequence, additional screen captures have been added by Richard Lovejoy.
Lorna advises: One of the firewatchers right at the beginning of the film is Bill Blewett, a well-known character of Mousehole who appeared in several films of the era such as Johnny Frenchman. He was a postman and a local wit. My husband’s aunt said to him during the war “You’re drunk, Bill Blewett.” He responded “Goodnight, Mrs Williams, goodnight. Your light, Mrs Williams, your light!” She was showing a small lit window in the blackout.
And additionally: “Bill Blewett starred in the PO film which showed the power of the Savings Bank, pre-war. Bill Blewitt was a Cornish postman ‘discovered’ by film-maker Harry Watt and cast in his 1936 film The Saving of Bill Blewitt. The story was about the Post Office Savings Bank and featured Blewitt and the villagers of Mousehole in their places of work. Bill had a lovely local Mousehole dialect. It was all filmed in the village. Even the view inside the Post Office was genuine.”
In addition to identifying Capture 2 John has provided us with additional information and background that can be read here.
Peter Penberthy has provided us with an interesting story associated with this film that can be read by clicking here.
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Can you help:
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.
- Capture 1
- 'Now' required
At the end of the working day Fred Carrick (Clifford Evans), factory foreman, goes to the roof to see the aircraft spotters. Charles Victor (forward) and Bill Blewett (behind). After the couple are left alone Charles starts to outline the story of Fred’s trip to France to his colleague, subsequently revealed in flash-back. “Three special purpose machines had been lent to the French” and Fred was worried that they would fall into the hands of the German’s. Likely a studio set. See Header Section for information regarding Bill Blewett.
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
June 1940 and the factory day ends. John P Scott has identified this for us, Vickers Aeroplane Factory, Brooklands Road, Surrey. Both his mother and his father worked there. Opposite the one remaining air raid shelter entrance on the other side of the road. (RL)
- Capture 3
- 'Now' required
Notwithstanding having been unable to secure the agreement of the factory manager Collins (Owen Reynold) or the Managing Director, Sir Charles Fawcett (Ronald Adam), Fred manages to obtain all the necessary documentation to travel to France. A stock shot of a continental train.
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required
When the train stops at a station Fred finds that the area is ordered to immediately evacuate so he has no option but to steal a bicycle from the station manager and continue his journey. It looks as thought this could be beside an Underground train line.
- Capture 5
- 20 Jul 2023
Fred meets up with Anne Stafford (Constance Cummings) at the factory that uses the three machines and later two army personnel Tommy Hoskins (Tommy Trinder) and Alastair ‘Jock’ MacFarlan (Gordon Jackson) who have a lorry and help to seize the machines. The group pick up refugee children along the way and are eventually directed to the “Convent St Sulpice”, Montreaux where they can be left in safety. Lorna Jenkin tells us that this is Mill Pool, Mousehole, Cornwall
A mass of weeds replaces the fake shrine. (SR)
- Capture 6
- 20 Jul 2023
An additional capture of the entry to the town for historic purposes. Lorna tells us that this is Fore Street, Mousehole towards the harbour.
Fore Street looking much the same today. (SR)
- Capture 7
- 21 Dec 2023
Having dropped the children off they are engaged by an ‘English’ Army Captain (John Williams) who orders them to drive to his headquarters. Jonathan Fletcher has resolved this long oustanding location for us, 'Double Lodges', the entrance to Trelowarren Estate, situated about a kilometre NW of Goonhilly satellite station. On the B3293, the official address is Lizard, Helston TR12 6AF. (RL)
As promised, Jonathan took this comparative shot for us only to find that the white render has only recently been removed. (RL)
- Capture 8
- Pre 2008
These scenes were shot at Ashdown House, Lambourn, near Newbury. US troops were stationed there during World War ll and left the house in rather a sorry state, however the National Trust bought it and restored it to it's former glory. Russell Groves.
Now. By Russell Groves.
- Capture 9
- Pre 2008
The ‘English’ Army Captain and Fred proceed to enter the building.
Now. By Russell Groves.
- Capture 10
- Pre 2008
When it is realised that all is not what it seems they make their escape.........
Now. By Russell Groves.
- Capture 11
- Pre 2008
.........under fire.
Now. By Russell Groves.
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required
After Jock is killed in an air raid they continue their journey to reach the films La Rogette. Teston Bridge, Kent over the River Medway.
- Capture 13
- 27 Nov 2023
On reaching the outskirts they see the German army advancing to the town. Jonathan Fletcher has found another two locations for us, this he tells us is Haelarcher Farm, Lizard Head Lane, Lizard, Cornwall.
Within hours Jonathan replaces his Google Earth View with his own comparison shot.
- Capture 14
- 27 Nov 2023
They re-direct to Saint Pol. This Jonathan tells us is a verse point of view of the previous capture, still Lizard Head Lane, Lizard, Cornwall.
Jonathan's reverse point of view of the previous capture to replace his GEV. Looking along Kynance terrace, TR12 7NH he found that the low building in the distance is now the Regent cafe, that was, at the time of the capture, the Regent garage. Otherwise, substantially the same, with Parc-an-ithan council housing behind. The house on the left is Telvin house and the shed on which was the 'Saint Pol' sign having been knocked down to make a parking space.
- Capture 15
- 21 Jul 2023
After being shot at they finally have Saint Pol in sight. Lorna Jenkin and her husband kept telling me that this is the old Penlee Lifeboat Station, I couldn't make it work as there is no such background coastline........until the film is flipped horizontally! We are in fact travelling North with Penzance/Newlyn itself in the background.
Not an exact comparison, but a unflipped view. The building is kept today as a memorial to the disaster that befell the lifeboat in 1981. (SR)
- Capture 16
- 21 Dec 2023
They see a fishing boat leaving and hope that there are others in the harbour. Chris Caddy identified "Saint Pol" in the film as Porthleven, Cornwall.
Jonathan Fletcher provides this shot to replace the Google Earth View supporting Chris's location identification held since 2015 "until a genuine "now" image is provided. So it has taken some eight years, bt
- Capture 17
- 21 Mar 2015
At the port they see the French continuing to escape by all available boats. Porthleven Institute and clock tower, originally built to provide fishermen with a library and on opportunity to educate themselves. Now it is a snooker hall and offices for Porthleven Parish Council advises Chris. Lorna Jenkin tells us that the camera position was from the road on the quayside at Salt Cellar Hill and the crane on the dock has now gone. They had a similar one in Mousehole and in the interests of safety it was removed in about 1980. They were designed to lift baulks to create a gate to block the inner harbour during stormy weather.
A Google Earth View to support Chris's location identification until, genuine "now" image, which we prefer. Little changed in over 70 years.
- Capture 18
- 21 Dec 2023
Fred, Anne and Tommy approach the port with the equipment that is so vital to be kept from falling into Nazi hands. Porthleven Institute and clock tower.
Another shot from Jonathan replacing Chris Caddy's Google Earth View. (RL)
- Capture 19
- 21 Dec 2023
They drive along the harbour towards the loading boat. Lorna confirms Porthleven on the opposite side of the harbour facing north inland. The warehouse is unchanged and is a fish store.
Works well in the film but they are on the wrong side of the harbour here. Once again a comparative shot from Jonathan Fletcher to replace the Google Earth View submtted by Chris Caddy back in 2015. (RL)
- Capture 20
- 21 Mar 2015
They stop at the moored fishing boat to speak to the captain about taking the equipment on board.
Less urgency today. Google Earth View/Chris Caddy.
- Capture 21
- 21 Mar 2015
All the passengers agree to leave their possessions behind in favour of taking the equipment on board and they set off for England.
The small stone waterside building remains. Google Earth View/Chris Caddy. In February 2020 Chris adds that the 'small stone waterside building' was originally the Porthleven lifeboat station. It closed in 1929 and remained unused until 2010, when it was restored and converted into an art studio, where courses and exhibitions are held – right next to the sea! In 2015, the serious storm of that year blew the whole roof off, and it had to be totally re-roofed. (RL)
- Capture 22
- 21 Dec 2023
As they leave port they bid farewell to "Gladys", their truck, that had served them so well. Lorna says that this is taken from the same position as Capture 17 but facing north. The warehouse still exists also on the bottom of Salt Cellar Hill.
Without "Gladys" but many more cars in Chris Caddy's Google Earth View back in 2015 and similarly so in Jonathan's own shot in 2023. (RL)