Gorgo

As Captain Joe Ryan returns to the surface leaving thousands of dollars worth of treasure on a rusting wreck, First Mate Harry (Barry Keegan) and Sam Slade (William Sylvester) watch the sea boil as an underwater volcano begins to erupt. In the sea off Coliemore Harbour in Dalkey, County Dublin with Maiden Rock in the right background.

Surviving the eruption, Captain Ryan examines M.V. Triton's hull before taking a launch out to search through the carcases of strange creatures that litter the surface of the water.

Arriving in port on Nara Island, Captain Joe Ryan (Bill Travers) asks for the Harbour Master. Coliemore Harbour off Coliemore Road in Dalkey, County Dublin. The location appears in ‘The Gentle Gunman’.

Pat Cleary visited the harbour on a beautiful sunny morning with Dalkey Island in the background.

The Captain and Sam head for a nearby cottage to find that Kevin McCartin, the Harbour Master has amassed a wealth of artefacts taken from the sea. Alan Bourke is sure that this and the following sequence was shot around on the MGM backlot at Borehamwood Studios in Hertfordshire. Anthony McKay adds that "The water on the backlot is actually the 'moat' constructed for the film 'Ivanhoe'. It's not officially a 'water tank' with studio documents referring to it as 'the moat'. The profile was remodelled and water added as required as normally it would be kept dry. Just prior to 'Gorgo' it had been a moat in front of Robert Donat's palace in 'Inn of the Sixth Happiness' and would soon become paddy fields in 'Satan Never Sleeps'."

Told that they can't remain for more than 24 hours without a permit, Captain Ryan and Sam leave the cottage. The 'moat' at MGM's Borehamwood Studios suggests Alan Bourke.

The two make their way back to the port where Harry is waiting in the launch. Alan Bourke believes that this scene may have been shot around the 'moat' at MGM in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.

As they approach the Triton, Harry points to a group of Locals searching the sea and learn that two of their Divers hadn't returned. The seaward side of Dalkey Island in the Irish Sea off Dalkey with the Martello Tower to the top left.

After they pull the body of a fatally injured Diver from the water, the Captain and Joe return to look for the gold he was searching for while a Crewman remains in the launch. This is a back projection featuring Muglins Lighthouse on a rocky island to the north-east of Dalkey Island.

A long zoom shot from the coast road across Dalkey Island taken by Pat Cleary. "That's the Kish Bank Lighthouse in the left distance, which was constructed in nearby Dun Laoghaire harbour and towed out to sea and sunk onto a pre-laid platform in the summer of 1965."

The search for the lost Diver continues that night before a monster appears from the sea. In the left background lies Dalkey Island with the Martello Tower prominent.

Pat Cleary didn't have the time to wait for high tide.

In London, the BBC broadcast news that Ryan and his crew have managed to capture a huge undersea creature. Looking up at Broadcasting House from Langham Place W1.

I hadn't noticed the addition to the right until I had a proper look, while loading this. SJ

Newspapers carry headlines about the prehistoric monster found off the coast of Ireland. Facing Trafalgar Square beyond St. Martin’s Place with the steps of St. Martin-in-the-Fields to the left.

Steps remain but no sign of the news vendor. SJ

Speculation about the 65 foot tall creature being released from a vast cavern during the volcanic activity circulates. Trafalgar Square WC2 with St. Martin-in-the-Fields in the distance.

A similar day. SJ

As reports continue to appear on the front pages, Professors Marius Flaherty and Leroy Hendricks meet with the Captain in the hope that they can obtain the monster for scientific study. Looking towards Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery from the corner of The Mall SW1.

This newspaper selling point was also seen in Sea Wife. SJ

Radio and television broadcasts also carry the news. Sam Denham identifies the shop as Imhofs at numbers 112 to 116 New Oxford Street WC1, which also appears in 'Idol on Parade'.

Now a Starbucks: looking east from the corner of Bainbridge Street. SJ

Having accepted £30,000 for the creature from Dorkin's Circus, Captain Ryan makes for London. With Tower Bridge in the distance, Ray Glenister locates the superimposed vessel as being moored at New Fresh Wharf at the foot of London Bridge on the north side of the river.

Accompanied by a Brass Band, the tranquillised beast named as Gorgo by Dorkin is paraded through the streets when the circus comes to town. Ray Glenister finds the band to be passing 11 Haymarket, London WC2 whilst we look at the junction with Orange Street. (RL)

Unusually not particularly busy. SJ

Television cameras record the spectacle. Queen Victoria Street in EC4, facing the junction of Cannon Street and Bow Lane with the tower of the Church of St. Mary Aldermary to the top.

The church survives but not much else. SJ

The 10,000,000 year old creature is an awesome sight as it is transported through London. The yellow and blue sign reads London Pavilion and this is Coventry Street in W1 with Great Windmill Street to the right.

Apart from businesses, the architecture is the same. SJ

Andrew Dorkin, Joe Ryan and Sam Slade follow in a Bentley Convertible as Gorgo is carried through Trafalgar Square. Charing Cross SW1 with the National Galley beyond Trafalgar Square as the background.

A splendid summer's day. SJ

On the way to Battersea Park, Parliament Square is negotiated. Parliament Square in SW1 with the Clock Tower of the Houses of Parliament to the top and the southern end of Parliament Street on the left.

Nearly at the same time of day. SJ

Crowds gather at Battersea Park. The entrance to Battersea Fun Fair on The Parade, Carriage Drive North in Battersea Park SW11.

The steps have been reduced and the ticket booth pushed back. This is the entrance to the Children's Zoo now. SJ

Gorgo arrives at the park where he is to be exhibited. The entrance to Battersea Fun Fair, a location that appears in ‘The Wrong Arm of the Law’, ‘Seventy Deadly Pills’ and 'The File of the Golden Goose’ while the rest of the fair can be seen in 'Bedazzled', 'The Day the Earth Caught Fire’, 'The Mutations' and ‘Counterspy’.

The balustrade to the right survives. SJ

While the prehistoric Gorgo is kept subdued at Battersea Park, Dorkin's publicity for the upcoming spectacle starts to appear. Piccadilly Circus in W1 with Shaftesbury Avenue to the right of centre.

Looking down Shaftesbury Avenue. SJ

Buses carrying 'Gorgo' advertising leave the garage. Stockwell Garage on Lansdowne Way in Stockwell SW8.

Also seen, from another angle, in "The Breaking of Bumbo." SJ

Heading out to their routes, one also advertises 'I'm All Right Jack' on the front panels. Facing west on Lansdowne Way, Stockwell.

Now dominated by Edrich House to the west. SJ

Fireworks light up the sky at Battersea Park. An evening view of John Collins' Big Dipper at Battersea Fun Fair in Battersea Park SW11 which Anthony McKay adds is footage taken from 1954's 'Doctor in the House'.

The best one can do, with a Battersea Power Station chiimney for reference, but at least the tree shape resembles the Big Dipper. SJ

Crowds in the Festival Gardens are happy to spend their money on fairground rides whilst waiting for Gorgo to be unveiled. Anthony McKay points out that rather than being n Battersea, this is reused footage from the 1954 King Brother's film 'Carnival Story'.

When Professor Hendricks telephones to tell them that he's found something out, Sam and Joe drive to meet with him at the Natural History Museum. Facing westward on Cromwell Road in SW7.

There was a choice of two entrances but neither matched the tree arrangement particularly. I plumped for the one further west, as the other was inundated with crowds obscuring the architecture despite being the better bet. SJ

With no contact with Nara Island for days, Sam and Joe are called to the Admiralty by Admiral Brooks. The Mall SW1 with Admiralty Arch in the background.

Some more clutter to steer around. SJ

The camera moves with the Ford Zephyr Convertible. Looking from The Mall into the road in front of the Admiralty. The location appears in ‘The IPCRESS File’ and 'Further Up the Creek'.

More bollards now. SJ

Inside the building the two are told that Gorgo's 200 foot high Mother has been reported to be heading for England. In front of the Admiralty in SW1 with Spring Gardens in the distance.

A closer view of those nice bollards. SJ

After a Naval vessel is destroyed and the creature evades submarine nets and fire, the Army are called in to protect London. Our 'Gorgo' expert, Anthony McKay refers to the production notes and identifies this scene as being shot at Tidworth Army Camp at Tidworth in Wiltshire and adds that all the British tanks have 3rd Infantry Division decals, which were based at the camp.

With the use of atomic weapons out of the question, tanks are deployed. Outside the entrance to Tidworth Barracks on Station Road, Tidworth, found by Anthony McKay.

A state of emergency is declared causing the Population to panic as they scatter. This has the appearance of the M-G-M British Studios at Borehamwood and Anthony McKay explains that the background is the General Stores whereas later scenes of pandemonium were shot on the roof of the old stock exchange building on Treadneedle Street.

The Police call for roads to be kept clear for military and defence personnel as Citizens head for underground stations and shelters. Ray identifies this as No. 1 Cornhill from the Royal Exchange Building. City of London with the Bank Underground sign visible and the illuminated blue name of Mappin and Webb in the background. (RL)

Paul Lincoln visited the City to find that what we once called 'Mappin and Webb' is now a changed building called No 1 Poultry. Reassuring however, to see that the building to the left as been reconstructed in perfect sympathy to its neighbour. (RL)

The huge creature's roars are heard approaching as armoured cars pass over Tower Bridge. The bridge crosses the Thames linking E1 and SE1.

Paul captured a very similar angle in daylight. (RL)

"Get off the streets . . . Go to your homes." Ray pinpoints this as passing No.1 Queen Annes Gate, Westminster. (RL)

Looking east towards Dartmouth Street. SJ

More Troops cross Tower Bridge to take up their positions.

Paul did well to replicate that capture. (RL)

This is St. Katherine’s Way below Tower Bridge Approach in E1. The location also features in ‘Inadmissible Evidence’. Ray Glenister advises that the regiment number 53 on the Daimler armoured cars and the Scout cars that appear in this film is that of the Westminster Dragoons, a Territorial Army unit that had its HQ in Horseferry Road, Westminster. (RL)

Pity for Paul that that kiosk had to be there. (RL)

Searchlights are trained on the sky as the monster advances up river, destroying Tower Bridge as she goes. Ray identifies this as Westminster Hall as viewed from Parliament Square, London SW1 (RL)

Westminster Hall where the late Queen Elizabeth II's lying-in-state on a catafalque within attracted huge queues during September 2022. SJ

As missile launchers fail to stop the creatures progress, frightened Residents appears at their windows when told to evacuate. 1-3 Queen Anne's Gate, London SW1 found by Anthony McKay and Ray Glenister at almost the same time. (RL)

Unchanged today. SJ

A fire appliance speeds to the aid of those trapped in destroyed buildings. Looking from Great Winchester Street onto the junction of London Wall and Blomfield Street in EC2 with the Crown & Cushion public house on the extreme left and London Wall Buildings in the left background.

Paul found that it doesn't present as quite a 'homely' crossroads any longer. (RL)

The monster appears above the the roof tops as People flee. Another use of Queen Anne's Gate, London SW1 found by Ray and confirmed by Anthony McKay, here, looking at the arched doorway of No 15. (RL)

The bottom bit looks right but not the top. In the middle is one of only two statues of Queen Anne in London. And to the right is Moore's house in TV's "The Persuaders" (SJ).

In their car, Joe and Sam fight to get through the confusion at a junction. To the right stands the Banco Español en Londres, which Anthony McKay points out stood at number 60 London Wall in EC2 as discovered by Christopher Matheson. Confirmed by Ray Glenister as viewed from Circus Place, Finsbury Square.

At least Paul was given a traffic free moment to capture this changed background. (RL)

Another building is brought down by the creature. The background is a model behind the superimposed foreground crowd.

Special effects fill the screen as a corner property collapses. 'Special effects' maybe, but Ray Glenister sees originality in 'The Crown & Cushion' pub to the right (also seen in Capture 40) on the corner of London Wall and Great Winchester Street. (RL)

Paul waited for at least that one person to appear for his 'crowd scene'. (RL)

Running for safety, People head underground. Here, Ray found them descending the subway stairs to Bank underground Station at Cornhill from the forecourt of The Royal Exchange. (RL)

One is only left to wonder what Paul did to find such a quiet moment. (RL)

With fires raging as London is destroyed, the Prime Minister is contacted to be told of the crisis. Facing the front door of number 10 Downing Street in SW1.

At an airfield, bombs are loaded into aircraft . . . Anthony McKay believes this to be stock footage adding that "The planes featured later in this scene are Hawker Hunters with markings for Number 1 Squadron. My first thought was Cyprus and Number 1 Squadron did indeed fly Hawker Hunters out of Cyprus during the Suez crisis."