Glitterball, The (Children’s Film Foundation)

Date: 1977
Director: Harley Cokeliss
Production Company: Children's Film Foundation, Mark Forstater Productions Ltd.

Stars: Ben Buckton, Keith Jayne, Ron Pember, Marjorie Yates, Barry Jackson
Location(s): Hertfordshire, Suffolk

Region(s):

Storyline:

Two teenage boys try to help a tiny spherical alien get back to its mothership, while the army and a devious petty crook pursue the creature for its wonderful powers.

Additional Information:

Screen captures uploaded by Phil Wilkinson.

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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.

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Jets are scrambled when an Unidentified Flying Object registers on the radar at a Royal Air Force tracking station.

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Outside his house near the Tracking Station, RAF Sergeant Fielding (Barry Jackson) waits to give his son Max a lift into town. Gordon Thomson pinpoints the location to be on Woodhall Lane, Shenley near the junction with Green Street. (RL)

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Sergeant Fielding and Max approach the shopping centre. Shenley Road in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.

Shenley Road now captured by Antony Blair.

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Max Fielding (Ben Buckton) is dropped off and makes his way into a department store. Looking towards the Town Centre car park off The Common in Roe Green, Hatfield, Hertfordshire.

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Inside the shop he meets Peter, a boy who is being pursued by shoplifter 'Filthy' Potter. The Woolco department store in Hatfield's Town Centre shopping centre.

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After escaping from 'Filthy', Max and Peter (Keith Jayne) leave the store. Hatfield's Woolco store opened in 1972.

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The camera follows as Peter tells Max that he's just moved into the area. Looking along what was once St. Albans Road towards White Lion Square in Town Centre, Hatfield.

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As Potter watches from a hedgerow, Max and Peter find out that the aliens unearthly powers allow then to open locks.

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Driving through the streets, Sergeant Fielding and his Corporal try to trace the alien signal.

Despite some changes Geoff Dodd places this as London Road, Shenley, Radlett, Herts looking north with the White Horse pub on the left. According to Google Earth the drain pipe and windows match. (RL)

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The signal leads the two NCOs to the Sergeant's house.

Geoff recognises this as well, Green Street, Borehamwood at the junction with Woodhall Lane. As Google Earth states it is all on the B5378 (RL)

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Mrs. Fielding (Marjorie Yates) is surprised to see her husband and the Corporal (Andrew Jackson).

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Having snatched the tiny alien to take advantage of it's powers, George 'Filthy' Potter (Ron Pember) rides off to break into the department store. Harris Lane, Shenley in Hertfordshire.

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The shot pans with Potter as Max and Peter try to keep up with him. Harris Lane at the junction with Newcome Road. 'The Battle of Billy's Pond' took place at the other end of Harris Lane.

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The boys lose 'Filthy' but soon come across an Ice Cream Man (Derek Deadman) who is trying to start his van. Newcome Road in Shenley.

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After helping the Man to push-start his van, the pair climb aboard. Looking to the south-east on Newcome Road.

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'Filthy' continues towards town with robbery on his mind.

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Giving Max and Peter a lift, the Ice Cream Man turns round and drives after the crook. Newcombe Road from the corner of Harris Lane.

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'Filthy' Potter parks his bike near the department store. The ramp leading from the car park over Woolco in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. Woolco's store was closed in 1985 and replaced by the present Asda building in the late 1990s.

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With the tiny alien in his grasp, the petty thief makes for the back door of the shop. A corner at the base of Trident House to the west end of Town Centre with the ramp leading to parking above Woolco's store to the left.

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Potter uses the alien to unlock the doors. Dog Kennel Lane, the service road off Queensway in Hatfield that leads to the rear of businesses on Town Centre.

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  • 27 Jul 2023

When the alien distress signal is picked up, the Sergeant and his crew set of in pursuit. The junction of Shenley Road and Clarendon Way, Borehamwood.

Antony Blair returned to the junction 46 years on.

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Facing south-west along Shenley Road from the corner of Clarendon Way. The area was also seen in 'Bedazzled', 'On the Buses', 'The Boys in Blue' and 'The Scamp' to name but a few.

The scene now by Antony Blair.

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The ice cream van nears the shopping centre.

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When they spot Potter's bicycle, the Ice Cream Man drops the boys off. Looking from the entrance driveway of Elstree Studios at the roundabout which forms the junction of Shenley Road and Brook Road with Elstree Way heading off on the extreme right.

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While the lads help to foil the robbery, Max's Dad and his Corporal approach the shop. Eric Parsons identifies this as Elstree Way in Borehamwood with the since demolished studio 70 cinema in the background.

Now replaced by Franklin Court, an apartment building completed in 2017. (SR)

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A Policeman looks down at George Potter on the pavement outside the store. The south-west corner of the Woolco department store in Hatfield with the top of the car park ramp on the left.

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Sergeant Fielding catches up with his son and Peter as the small alien returns to the mother ship. The roof car park over the Woolco store in Hatfield, Hertfordshire.