Gorbals Story, The

Recalling a time when he was a poor Glasgow newspaper boy, John Martin (Russell Hunter) narrates "My dear Glasgow, it still fascinates me." Facing northward on Buchanan Street. Glasgow 1. Buildings fronting Princes Square stand to the extreme right.

The successful artist continues "A city of well stocked shops. Large and spacious stores." Looking southward across St. Enoch Square with the entrance to St. Enoch underground station to the left.

"Big hotels." The Central Hotel at Central railway station on Gordon Street, at the corner of Hope Street, Glasgow 1.

"Comfortable restaurants, theatres, luxurious cinemas." Sauchiehall Street 3, facing the Grand Hotel beyond the Cameron Memorial Fountain.

"In short, a successful city." Kelvingrove Park in the west of Glasgow. Looking over Kelvingrove Park with the Tennis Courts to the bottom left, the Stewart Memorial Fountain towards the top right and properties on Park Terrace crossing the top distance.

"A city to be proud of." Looking up at the Gilbert Scott Building of the University of Glasgow from Kelvingrove Park in Hillhead. Other views of the park can be seen in 'That Sinking Feeling'.

"But, strangely enough, the Glasgow I generally portray lies on the other side of the slow flowing waters of the Clyde." Facing south-eastward on Argyle Street towards the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. A wider view of the scene appears in 'Floodtide'.

"A Glasgow of grey skies." The junction of Cumberland Street and Surrey Street beneath the railway running from Port Eglinton Junction to Gorbals Junction.

"Grey buildings." The Scotch Fish Restaurant stands at number 94 Thistle Street on the corner of Cleland Street and was located with the assistance of Steve Randall. The site is now occupied by Gorbals Parish Church.

"Depressing, distressing." The sign above the door to number 110 reads "Baronial Rooms" and Steve Randall found that the venue stood on Thistle Street which is confirmed in the Post-Office annual Glasgow directory.

"Streets in which passers-by walk grimly on their predestined course." Cumberland Street 5 with the railway bridge carrying the since closed line north from Langside Junction to Gorbals Junction.

"A course leading through the darkness of poverty towards an almost inevitable end."

The scene setting views end before the Glasgow Unity Players tell their story at Merton Park Studios.

As the film draws to a close, John concludes "I struggled, and escaped." Victoria Bridge crossing the River Clyde with the chimney of the Adelphi Distillery on Gorbals Street to the right of centre.

"But all those other youths who still remain . . . how long will they endure environments like that?" Looking south from Cumberland Street with the backs of buildings on Hospital Street to the left and the tower of the Category A-listed Caledonia Road church standing in the background.

"How long will these things remain painted in drab and dirty colours? Sullying the canvas of a social conscience."

"How long will soot and grime continue to destroy the pastel and delicate shades of youth in places such as these? Who knows? One can but hope." The name James C. Buchanan on the fascia identifies the Errigal View bar at the corner of Eglinton Street and Cavendish Street, Glasgow 5 with the chimney of the refuse destructor at Port Eglinton beyond Eglinton Street railway station, which stands in the cutting behind the background wall.