Ghost Ship
Date: 1952
Director: Vernon Sewell
Production Company: Vernon Sewell Productions
Stars: Hazel Court, Dermot Walsh, Hugh Burden, John Robinson, Joss Ambler
Location(s): Sussex
Region(s): South East E-L
Storyline:
A young couple decide to buy a luxury steamboat and make light of rumours that it is haunted. After eventually taking it so sea they gradually realize that the story is perhaps true and summon professional help. Eventually an expert uncovers a horrifying secret about the boat’s previous owners.
Additional Information:
Screen captures and uncredited now shots uploaded by Richard Lovejoy
With thanks to John Lord for advising me of the filming location and hence prompt me to acquire a copy of the film that I had been meaning to do for ages.
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- Capture 1
- 04 Feb 2016
Margaret and Guy Thornton (Hazel Court and Dermot Walsh) arrive at the boatyard to view the boat that they had seen advertised. Riverside, Southwick, Sussex with the Old Town Hall in the background.
At least the "Old Town Hall" survives even if it is looking for tenants. A local told me that the building on the left burned down.
- Capture 2
- 04 Feb 2016
They survey the boats in the yard but everything looks rather run down.
The wall is the only remaining feature.
- Capture 3
- 04 Feb 2016
Guy explains to Margaret the difference between a “boat” and “ship”. All the background shops on Albion Street have long gone.
How times have changed.
- Capture 4
- 04 Feb 2016
The Yacht Port Manager (Joss Ambler) reluctantly agrees to show them the vessel that they had seen advertised.
That particular area is now full of parked cars.
- Capture 5
- 04 Feb 2016
They see the potential in the run down vessel and go with the Manager to his office to learn more of its history.
Vague similarities to "as was".
- Capture 6
- 04 Feb 2016
The story begins to unfold as they go up the stairs.
Not sure where you have to go for "Groceries and Provisions" these days.
- Capture 7
- 12 Feb 2016
The ship “Cyclops” was one day found floating with no one aboard and later a body was washed up at supposedly Bognor Regis, the groyns certainly seem to match. John Lord believes this to be Southwick with the Dyeworks chimney in Portslade back on the horizon.
Southwick beach with Brighton on the horizon. I tried Bognor Regis too but this seems a better match. SD
- Capture 8
- 13 Feb 2016
With the discovery of the body the coroners court is adjourned. A shot of a police station to establish where the inquest was being held.
The old police station in Tarmount Lane, Shoreham By Sea, West Sussex. Closed in 1973 and now used as a children's nursery. SD
- Capture 9
- 04 Feb 2016
Despite the story of the ship being haunted and the Manager doing what he can to put them off buying it they depart proposing to make an offer during the week.
Once again the only remaining item...the wall.
- Capture 10
- 04 Feb 2016
Once purchased they set about “doing her up”. The ship actually named "Gelert", was owned by the Director and writer of the film, Vernon Sewell. Shoreham Dry Dock.
The dry dock remains active to this day.
- Capture 11
- 04 Feb 2016
After some strange experiences and crew members resigning they begin to believe the stories may be true and enlist the help of a Psychic, Guy and Margaret go to the station to meet him. Fishersgate Station, Sussex.
The bridge remains intact.
- Capture 12
- 04 Feb 2016
The psychic, Dr. Fawcett (Hugh Burden) had in fact alighted from the train un-noticed and was waiting for them at the exit.
The station has lost all its charm but one pylon remains to assist the angle of the shot.