Hangman’s Wharf

Date: 1950
Director: Cecil H. Williamson
Production Company: E.J. Fancey Productions

Stars: John Witty, Genine Graham, Campbell Singer, Patricia Laffan
Location(s): Cornwall, London

Region(s): ,

Storyline:

A doctor is called out to an emergency on board a ship in the East End of London where he is framed for murder.

Additional Information:

Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson

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The titles appear over riverside views of the inlets, warehouses, wharves and quays of the Thames as it flows through London.

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This is the Lower Pool of the Thames, facing the Metropolitan Wharf on Wapping Wall E1.

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Express Wharf stood along Limehouse Reach of the Thames on West Ferry Road in E14.

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The riverside aspect of the Prospect of Whitby public house on Wapping Wall E1.

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Dr. David Galloway (John Witty) walks away from Hangman's Wharf after being attacked on board the Vieille France that he had been called to.

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The M.D. reaches Butcher's Warehouse where journalist Alison Maxwell calls out when an oil drum falls towards him after being pushed from a ledge.

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Dr. Galloway explains to the police that he was telephoned at his Shadwell surgery to attend to an accident on a ship before an attempt was made on his life.

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The Doctor and Alison Maxwell (Genine Graham) lead Inspector Prebble (Campbell Singer) to Butcher's Warehouse before continuing to Hangman's Wharf where they find the dock empty.

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Miss Maxwell arrives at Dr. Galloway's surgery after evening newspapers carry a headline story about the famous actor Winston Merrick being found dead in the river beside Hangman's Wharf.

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With the mystery deepening, the Doctor and Alison return to Hangman's Wharf.

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Alison tells the Doctor that they are being followed as Krim (Max Brimmell) and Joe (Tom Masson) lurk in the nearby shadows.

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Speeding up their pace, the two hurry towards a nearby phone box.

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The Doctor and Alison take refuge in the kiosk.

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Realising that they've been spotted, the suspicious characters wait for the Doctor and Alison to leave the telephone box.

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Acting innocently, Krim and Joe walk towards the phone kiosk.

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Calmly walking on, Krim and Joe disappear from view.

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Watched by the shady duo from a corner, Alison and Dr. Galloway make their way to an alley.

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Hearing footsteps approaching, the two enter the blind alley.

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Krim and Joe reach the cul-de-sac and fire their guns into the darkness as Alison and the Doctor climb down into an adjacent pub's cellar drop.

Alison arranges a meeting with film actress Rosa Warren at the Albert Memorial. The top of the Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens, London SW7.

The top looks in better condition now. SJ

Just after midday, a taxi brings Dr. Galloway and the journalist to the agreed rendezvous. South Carriage Drive in Kensington with the Albert Memorial to the right.

Bottom's intact too. SJ

Across the road, Joe gets out of another cab. South Carriage Drive with properties at the corner of Kensington Gore and Queen’s Gate in the background.

Dominated by the Royal College of Art since the early 60s. SJ

Joe stands next to the Nuffield Oxford taxi and waits. South Carriage Drive with the Royal Albert Hall visible through the trees.

Same shape to the tree. SJ

Dr. Galloway watches as a note is thrown from a black Humber Super Snipe as it drives past. South Carriage Drive SW7 with the Albert Memorial to the right. The location appears in numerous productions including ‘Jubilee’, ‘The Million Pound Note’, ‘Radio Cab Murder’ and ‘Amelia and the Angel’.

Same line of trees as well. SJ

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Following instructions contained in the note, that evening the Doctor and Alison go to number 20 Cyprus Road in Deptford where they discover Krim's dead body.

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The pair flee when Inspector Prebble arrives on the scene before Dr. Galloway walks home after being dropped off by Alison.

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On the way home, the Doctor meets Nurse Farthing coming in the other direction.

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Nurse Farthing (Mollie Looe) and the Doctor walk to her car after she warns him that the Inspector has visited the surgery.

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Lending him £25, the Nurse gives Dr, Galloway a lift to Paddington station.

The story moves to Baymouth in Cornwall. A view across Porthminster Beach at St. Ives in Cornwall.

The background remains pretty much the same, as does the stone wall in the foreground. (PW)

Panning inland brings buildings on the Trelyon road and Draycott Terrace into view as well as the railway at St. Ives station.

Parked cars now take the place of arriving trains. (PW)

A train draws in to Baymouth station. St. Ives station in Cornwall.

Frequent trains now serve the town's replacement station. (PW)

Inspector Prebble apprehends the Doctor at as he prepares to show his ticket to the Collector. St. Ives station below The Terrace in St. Ives.

No buildings here since the station was resited. (PW)

Joe watches as the Inspector leads Dr. Galloway from the station. St. Ives station was demolished and re-sited in 1971 with a car park now occupying the site.

Tickets, teas and toys are on sale now. (PW)

Having found Alison waiting for him at the Blue Anchor where he's reserved a room, the Doctor takes her along when he hires Old Prescott to row him to the Vieille France moored off shore. Looking towards St. Mawes Castle from the Quay at St. Mawes in Cornwall.

Lionel and Cynthia Sear set off once again on a pleasurable day out whilst thinking of the needs of Reelstreets. St Mawes Harbour looking west, St Mawes Castle and also the matching Falmouth Castle can be seen in the distance. (RL)

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Old Prescott points out the Vieille France moored off shore along with the big house belonging to Sir Bryan Roderick.

Making for the harbour steps, Old Prescott leads the Doctor and Alison to his rowing boat. The Quay at St. Mawes.

St Mawes Harbour looking north-east. Mainly the Idle Rocks Hotel, Lionel and Cynthia remark. (RL)

Looking inland from the Quay at St. Mawes.

St Mawes Harbour a little anti-clockwise from the previous capture. Not surprisingly, Lionel and Cynthia note that 'The Rising Sun' pub is now in the centre. (RL)

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Continuity goes awry as the pair descend to the boat.

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At the big house, Sir Bryan and his wife Rosa Warren get into their Dodge Six and drive to the harbour.

Old Prescott rows Dr. Galloway and Alison into the estuary. The Quay at St. Mawes in Cornwall with the Ship & Castle Hotel in the left background.

St Mawes Harbour looking north. Lionel and Cynthia took this from the Falmouth Ferry, it was impossible to get the angle exactly right as the ferry left at a rate of knots! The background is nevertheless spot on, thanks to you both. (RL)

Sir Bryan and Rosa negotiate a village's narrow roads. Seen from New Quay, this is the corner of Trefusis Street and Trefusis Road in Flushing, Cornwall.

This is at the eastern end of Flushing looking north with the Sailing Club building behind Lionel and Cynthia Sear who took this shot. (RL)

The camera follows the Dodge around the bend. Looking north along Trefusis Street.

Lionel and Cynthia took this shot from the same spot as the previous one now but looking west along Trefusis Street into old Flushing. (RL)

From the other end of the road, this is the corner of St. John’s Hill and Trefusis Street in Flushing.

And now Lionel and Cynthia find themselves in Trefusis Street not far from the Quay and looking east. (RL)

Turning from the road, Sir Bryan and Rosa drive onto the quay at the harbour. The Quay in Flushing, Cornwall.

The Quay as seen from Pitick Terrace. The Falmouth/Flushing Ferry awaits passengers as Lionel and Cynthia take this shot but it obscures the steps seen in the still. The restaurant on the Quay was built in 1965. (RL)

Getting out of the car, Sir Brian Roderick (Gerald Nodin) walks towards his yacht as the Doctor climbs aboard the ship to discovers that its the Tangier, a sister vessel of the Vieille France. The Quay in Flushing with buildings on Trefusis Street in the left background and the Waterman’s Rest dating from 1880 on the right.

On the Quay at Flushing as it is now taken by Lionel and Cynthia revealing many changes. (RL)

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Whilst Old Prescott rows the Doctor and Alison back to the harbour, Sir Bryan's launch speeds towards the boat, forcing everyone into the water.

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Spotting Old Prescott and the Doctor, Sir Bryan and Joe look take the two men to a boatyard as prisoners.

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With Joe distracted by Rosa, Sir Bryan fires at Dr. Galloway as he escapes from the shed where he's being held.

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The Doctor chases Sir Bryan towards the boatyard's jetty.

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Sir Bryan climbs from the jetty into a boat where he starts to cast off.

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Dr. Galloway runs along the jetty.

Jumping into the boat, the Doctor struggles with Sir Bryan until the pair fall into the water.

The steps on Flushing quay where the Falmouth/Flushing Ferry awaits passengers. Lionel and Cynthia point out that houses in Falmouth can be seen across the water. (RL)

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With Alison and Inspector Prebble on board, a yacht approached the jetty.