Gumshoe

"All over the city, it was an ordinary day for most people. My name's Eddie Ginley, a small-time bingo caller wanting to be a big somebody. That day was my 31st birthday."

"I could have been home blowing out my candles, instead of which I was helping my psychiatrist keep count of my marbles. The count was going slow."

After advertising his services as a private investigator in a newspaper, Eddie Ginley (Albert Finney) is called to room 322 at the Plaza Hotel. John Lawson recognised that this is the County Hotel in Upper Woburn Place, London WC1.

Comfortably close to Euston for trains to Liverpool. SJ

Eddie gets off the bus home when he discovers a revolver inside the parcel collected from the hotel room's occupant.

Following leads found in the package, Eddie visits the library where he finds Alison Wyatt. The corner of Water Street and The Strand in Liverpool with the Town Hall in the left background and, what is now, West Africa House to the right.

A near car-free moment to match. SJ

Taking the firearm with him, Eddie meets up with his mate Arthur in a run down area of the city.

The gun is handed over to Arthur (Neville Smith). The building in the centre background is number 1 Lockhart Street, Liverpool 8.

Eddie's pal identifies the weapon as a 38 Smith & Wesson, five-shot, walnut stock, police special. To the left stands the rear of the Herculaneum Bridge public house at the corner of Wellington Road and Lockhart Street in Toxteth. Now styled as the Herculaneum Bridge Hotel, the then derelict looking pub is still trading on the street that has been renamed Herculaneum Road.

Eddie asks Arthur how much the gun is worth. Across this cleared site stand still extant properties on Beresford Road and, to the extreme right, Grafton Street.

Arthur tells that Eddie that he could make sixty or seventy quid in London. Facing Grafton Street with the River Mersey crossing the background.

The pair walk to Herculaneum Bridge where Eddie continues towards the docks to find his brother who runs Botha Export. The since demolished bridge once ran from Grafton Street to Sefton Street in Toxteth, Liverpool 8.

William Ginley (Frank Finlay) waits as his brother approaches.

Wishing Eddie a belated happy birthday, an envelope is produced from William's pocket. Martin Botting recognised London's West India Dock in E14.

Eddie takes the envelope before his brother passes another one to a dockside Employee. This is West India Dock near the channel that links with Blackwall Basin located by Martin Botting.

The would be private detective comments on William's export activities. Looking south over West India Dock in E14 from the northern quay of the East Wood Wharf identified by Martin Botting.

While Eddie ponders losing his job after club owner Tommy Wright is warned off employing him, a taxi brings William's wife Ellen to his flat. John Owens identifies this as Gambier Terrace, above Hope Street, overlooking the Cathedral Church of Christ in Liverpool 1.

On a dark August's day. SJ

Ellen Ginley (Billie Whitelaw) walks towards Eddie as he prepares to leave for London. Platform 6 at Liverpool Lime Street station with platform E visible between the pillars.

As requested by SJ, a new comparison from the correct direction. (PW)

Eddie looks back towards his former girlfriend as the train departs. Platform 6, now 5, at Liverpool Lime Street station on Lime Street, Liverpool . . . where else?

Also very replaceable, as this is taken from the new platform 6 rather than the old one, now 5, which is to the right on the other side of the red double columns. SJ

The journey to London takes the train over the River Mersey and the Manchester Ship Canal between Widnes and Runcorn, Cheshire by Ethelfleda Viaduct, which is also known as Runcorn Railway Bridge or Britannia Bridge.

Even though the train was slowing down for Runcorn 15 minutes after Lime Street, this was the sharpest I managed. Looking west over the Mersey from the viaduct. SJ

Following a clue in the form of a label on the package received at the hotel, Eddie makes his way to the Atlantis Bookshop in London. Facing north-west on Museum Street WC1 with the corner of Little Russell Street to the left and the British Museum in the distance. Clearer views of the museum can be found in several other productions including ‘A Touch of Love’, 'The Day of the Jackal', 'The Limehouse Golem', 'The Mummy Returns (2001)’, ‘Night of the Demon’, ‘Percy’, 'Isadora', 'Full Circle', ‘The Mine and the Minotaur’, ‘The Holly and the Ivy’, ‘To the Devil a Daughter’ and ‘It Happened Here’

A similar view taken almost forty years later.

Waiting for the book shop to close, Eddie passes time in a nearby café where he is spotted by an old acquaintance Mal Conway (Bert King). Looking out from the Lucky Horseshoe Café that occupied 184 Shaftesbury Avenue in WC2 as recorded by several websites including IMDb.

This is the view from outside the window today. The building to the right is still recognisable but the left has been replaced. SJ

As darkness falls, Eddie returns to the Atlantis and interrogates the owner. Outside the Atlantis Bookshop on Museum Street in Bloomsbury.

A more modern view of the shop's front.

Escaping from the book shop by a back exit after hit-man John Straker disturbs him, Eddie makes his way onto the street. Hunt's Court off Charing Cross Road WC2, opposite Cecil Court.

A new entrance has adorned Hunt's Court for several years. SJ

Continuing to flee, Eddie makes his way into a tube station. The booking hall of Aldwych underground station in London WC2.

Jonathan acknowledges that he should have been much further to the left but his shot is a good record of the state of things now. (RL)

John Straker (Fulton Mackay) follows Eddie onto the platform after revealing himself in the station's lift. The former Aldwych station on Strand in London WC2.

When the approaching train comes to a stand, Eddie and Straker board through different doors. The platform at the now disused Aldwych Underground station that features in many productions including 'The Krays', ‘Creep’, ‘Gideon's Day’, ‘V for Vendetta’, 'Darkest Hour', 'The Bed Sitting Room', 'Their Finest', 'Postman's Knock', 'Death Line', ‘Tube Tales’ and ‘Prick Up Your Ears’.

A suitably blurred view of the same location from 2014.

Eddie returns to Liverpool and pays a visit to William and Ellen. Tris advises that this is nowhere near Liverpool, it's Keats Grove in Hampstead NW3.

Tris provides this view from Keats Grove adding that Billie Whitelaw, who appears in the film, was a former resident of the street.

Jacob De Fries (George Silver) calls at Lime Street station's parcel office to collect a consignment of drugs from London. In reality, this is Liverpool Central station on Ranelagh Street.

Well, I'm completely at sea here but this is the Ranelagh Street entrance today. SJ

Having already collected the package, the 'Gumshoe' watches from a distance. Looking into the High Level train shed at Central station. The high level platforms were closed in April 1972 and the train shed demolished in 1973, eventually to be replaced by a shopping centre.

Facing the same way from roughly the same position. (PW)

Eddie follows the disappointed diplomat from the station. The hat-trick is complete as this is the third main line terminus in Liverpool that was open at the time of filming. Facing the entrance to the platforms of Exchange station on Tithebarn Street. Other views of the station appear in 'Violent Playground'.

Hmm, am I facing the correct way? All very different today. SJ

Catching up, Eddie gets into the South African's car. Looking from Liverpool Exchange station's taxi circulating area towards Pall Mall in the left background. The terminus closed in 1977 and the one time station hotel has been converted into office space.

Simon was facing the right way with his comparison for the previous capture, and this is what's beyond the modern foyer. A direct comparison here would be a blank wall. (PW)

De Fries drives the Humber Hawk from the station to return home where Mrs. Blankerscoon arrives to supply a fix. Looking onto Tithebarn Street with the Central Vaults at the corner of Moorfields in the centre right background.

The base of the arch matches, and that is all. SJ

Leaving the dead diplomat in his rooms, Eddie makes his way from the building after phoning the Liverpool Echo. Bedford Street South, Liverpool 7 identified by Kev McEwen.

A tidier scene greets the eyes now, as Kev's view proves.

Headline hungry journalists arrive as Eddie leaves the square. Facing the still standing numbers 122 and 120 on Bedford Street South located by Kev McEwen.

Kev also provides this comparison shot.

Eddie heads into the city. Looking towards Georges Pierhead from alongside the Cunard Building on Water Street identified by John Owens.

The Cunard building in Water Street looking towards Canada Boulevard and the Pier Head Ferry Terminal captured by John Owens.

Crossing the road, the private eye enters the building where his brother has offices. This is the Water Street entrance to the Royal Liver Building advises John Owens.

The same, cleaned up entrance of the Royal Liver building taken by John.

Having called in a favour from Tommy, Eddie emerges from the Broadway Club to meet Ellen as she arrives in her Lotus Europa. The Broadway Club at the junction of Broadway and Broad Lane in the Norris Green area of Liverpool identified by John Owens.

Now called the Broadway Country Club, John Owens' modern view shows that the roof has been replaced and the facade changed.

Mrs Blankerscoon, William and Ellen Ginley and Clifford their chauffeur gather inside a nondescript building on Falkner Square in the city. Paul Canty advises that this is Regent Square in London WC1. The buildings have since been replaced by St. Peter's House.

Apologies from London Movie Guide naming this as St. Mark's rather than St Peter's. SJ

A car draws up and Eddie turns from watching the building to collect a package from Tommy's mate Joey.

Looking along the north side of the square down to Storrington House. SJ

After a call to the Fire Service, Joey (Joey Kenyon) and Eddie discuss tactics. Regent Square with properties on Tavistock Place in the top right distance located by Paul Canty.

I stepped inside the square beyond the new railings to achieve a clearer tree match. SJ

A petrol is ignited and thrown through a window of the property. The east side of Regent Square in St. Pancras recognised by Paul Canty.

The Regent Square corner which becomes Sidmouth Street a little further east. SJ

The Fire Brigade arrive in the square moments before the home made bomb explodes. Regent Square in WC1 identified by Paul Canty and also seen in 'The Adventures of Barry McKenzie'.

Now. SJ

Joey prevents Clifford from driving Mrs Blankerscoon, William and Ellen away.

Eddie gets into the car and, with a gun held to his head, Clifford (Chris Cunningham) drives on.

On the journey towards a ship bound for South Africa, Mrs. Blankerscoon and William try to persuade Eddie to join them.

As the limousine turns onto the main road, Eddie tells Clifford to stop before throwing his handkerchief containing a syringe and an ampule into Mrs. Blankerscoon's lap.

After taking the car keys, Eddie gets out of the Daimler and fires shots into the air before walking away.

A police car drops Private eye Eddie Ginley off outside his home. Dating from the 1830s, this is Gambier Terrace in Liverpool, Lancashire located by John Owens.

Parked cars litter an almost unchanged view of Gambier Terrace in this shot from John Owens.