Front Page Story

The scene is set before the titles appear, John Grant, editor of a London newspaper, has told his wife that they aren't going on the holiday that they both badly need. Fleet Street in EC4 with the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral and the spire of St Bride's Church penetrating the skyline. Similar views were seen in 'The Long Dark Hall' and 'The Big Job'.

From street level, Peter found it difficult to get St. Paul's and St. Bride's in the same shot.

The shot tilts down to reveal the street itself, lined with newspaper offices. To the top left is Ludgate Circus and the now demolished bridge that carried the railway between Blackfriars and Holborn Viaduct stations.

Peter still with his feet on the ground for this one.

A bus pulls up at a stop outside Wine Office Court. Fleet Street has been seen in many productions including 'The Primitives', 'Locker Sixty Nine', 'Sea Wife', 'The Day the Earth Caught Fire', 'Children of Men', 'Inquest', 'Who Done It?' and 'Strange Bedfellows'.

Showing the Olde Cheshire Cheese lamp still in situ in this shot by Peter.

John Grant (Jack Hawkins) steps from the platform. Facing west on Fleet Street with the tower of St Dunstan-in-the-West just visible to the top, right of centre.

Peter took this shot with a white van replacing the bus!

Passing opposition publications, Grant purposefully heads to work. The offices of the Daily Telegraph provide the backdrop.

Almost the same in Peter's comparison.

The hard working editor glances at the passing traffic as he nears his destination. Fleet Street in London EC4.

Peter provides this modern view of the location.

Outside the Liverpool Post & Echo building, Grant turns and strides across the road to the Daily World offices at the studio.

Noting that there's been a little alteration here, Peter took this image.

Also at the studio is London Airport, where Dr. Brukmann is arriving from the States.

Dr. Brukmann's car takes the atomic scientist to his hotel.

The junction of Bayswater Road and Lancaster Gate in London W2. (PW)

Craig (Stephen Vercoe) from Special Branch watches as the car draws up outside the Kingsgate Hotel. Looking across to Barrie House on Lancaster Gate. The building also features in 'The Battleaxe', 'Strictly Confidential', 'Park Plaza 605', 'The Paradine Case', 'Moment of Indiscretion' and 'Hour of Decision'.

The building remains unchanged but parking has increased to spoil the view. (PW)

Having escorted him from the airport, Bruce, a Government PRO, bids Dr. Brukmann (Martin Miller) farewell. Looking from the entrance of Barrie House towards Bayswater Road and Kensington Gardens beyond.

For a change, there are less cars and pedestrians in the comparison shot. (PW)

The car bringing Daily World reporter Anthony Black turns into the road. Lancaster Gate W2.

Maybe I should have been a little to the north. (PW)

The camera follows the car as it passes a prop telephone box.

More of Lancaster Gate, not a million miles from where scenes from 'Two Weeks in September' and 'Connecting Rooms' were filmed. (PW)

As Black watches from a nearby pub, Dr. Brukmann leaves the hotel. Barrie House on Lancaster Gate, Bayswater.

Almost as it was at the time of filming. (PW)

The scientist crosses the road towards the park. Looking across Bayswater Road to Lancaster Gate from . . . . Lancaster Gate, the entrance to Kensington Park.

Same gates, different method of securing them. (PW)

Dr. Brukmann passes through Lancaster Gate. This gateway into Kensington Gardens was built in the 19th Century and named in honour of Queen Victoria as the then Duke of Lancaster.

Entry is through the side gate today. (PW)

The camera follows the Doctor as he walks into Kensington Gardens. Behind the fence to the right, Bayswater Road heads into the west.

The hedge has grown, blocking the view of Bayswater Road. (PW)

Looking along Lancaster Walk into Kensington Gardens from Lancaster Gate in London W2.

And this is how it appears now. (PW)

Inside the park Dr. Brukmann passes a matchbox to a Stranger who asks for a light. This alongside The Long Water, near to the statue of Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens. The location features in ‘Joanna’, 'Follow Me!', 'Three Hats for Lisa' and 'Omen III: The Final Conflict'.

No such shady dealings going on here today. Picture by Peter.

Having seen the transaction, Black watches the Doctor walk away.

A few more tourists in Peter's view.

Reporter Anthony Black (Walter Fitzgerald) approaches Dr. Brukmann to get his story. The Long Water flowing through Kensington Gardens with the Pavilion in the Italian Gardens in the left distance.

Peter back at the water's edge.

In the City, reporters wait outside the Central Criminal Court after Mrs. Thorpe is acquitted of murder. The entrance of the Central Criminal Court on Old Bailey EC1 which was also seen in 'The Naked Edge', 'Pressure', 'Murder in Reverse' and 'Brothers in Law'.

From a similar angle, Peter records the same entrance.

Reporter Dick Kennedy (Michael Goodliffe) is told that Mrs. Thorpe is being taken out of the building by another exit.

Peter moved to the corner of Newgate Street and Old Bailey for this one.

A WPC leads Mrs. Thorpe (Eva Bartok) to a waiting police car. Earls Court Road in SW5. From different angles the location was seen in 'The Stud' and 'Straight on Till Morning'.

The same background building by Peter.

Kennedy watches as Mrs. Thorpe is driven away. Earls Court Road.

A wider view from Peter, and no scaffolding today!

The police car stops near to Trafalgar Square. Adelaide Street with the junction of Chandos Place and William IV Street in the background.

Peter captured the changes at this spot.

The WPC opens the door to allow Mrs. Thorpe out. Adelaide Street in WC2.

A more colourful view by Peter.

Having followed Mrs. Thorpe by taxi, Kennedy shadows the free woman. St. Martin in the Fields Church Path running between Adelaide Street and St. Martin’s Place.

Peter noticed that the plaque on the wall has been moved.

Mrs. Thorpe heads for the stop where she can catch a bus home. This pedestrian thoroughfare on the north side of St. Martin in the Fields church was earlier known simply as Church Path.

The same path now from Peter.

Kennedy keeps up the pursuit. The corner of St. Martin in the Fields Church Path and St. Martin's Place.

Peter provides absolute proof of the name.

As Mrs. Thorpe waits at a road junction, Kennedy closes in. Looking north along St. Martin’s Place with St. Martin’s Lane continuing into the right distance with the statue of Edith Cavell Memorial to the top centre. The location is also seen in in 'The Key Man' and 'The Kitchen'.

Looking the same way in this comparison from Peter, and a closer view of the statue.Four films have been made about this lady's life, and death.

Standing right beside her, the journalist can't bring himself to ask for his exclusive interview. Duncannon Street WC2 with St. Martin in the Fields church as the background.

Peter provides this modern view.

Mrs. Thorpe pauses, looking over Trafalgar Square. To the right runs St. Martin's Place with the ornate roof tower of the Coliseum Theatre prominent beyond.

Looks like Peter's camerawork was drawing some attention.

Kennedy draws near once more. To the right stands St. Martin in the Fields church.

The familiar location, once again captured by Peter.

Mrs. Thorpe walks towards the centre of Trafalgar Square.

Peter took this shot outside the National Gallery.

The view of the fountains is taken in. Trafalgar Square also features in 'The Mackintosh Man', ‘Yield to the Night’, ‘The Crooked Sky’ and ‘The Day the Earth Caught Fire’.

A similar view from Peter.

Kennedy watches as the woman relishes her freedom. South Africa House fills the background.

There's a variety of traffic in Peter's shot.

Sent by Grant to get the story, Teale (Derek Farr) and his Photographer arrive in the square and spot Mrs. Thorpe.

No photographer here today, except Peter.

Kennedy and Teale converge on their prey. Looking up at Canada House on the west side of Trafalgar Square. The building can be spotted in 'The Man Without a Body'.

The almost unchanged view taken by Peter on a cloudless day.

When she runs into the road to escape the reporters, Mrs. Thorpe is run down by a bus. Trafalgar Square in WC2 with the National Gallery in the distance.

Peter took this from a similar angle.