He Snoops to Conquer
Date: 1944
Director: Marcel Varnel
Production Company: Columbia British Productions
Stars: George Formby, Robertson Hare, Elizabeth Allen, Claude Bailey
Location(s): Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Shropshire
Region(s): Midlands, South East E-L
Storyline:
A pair of reporters investigate possible corruption in a small town’s postwar plans and are helped by the unwitting handyman.
Additional Information:
Screen captures uploaded by Phil Wilkinson
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- Capture 1
- 'Now' required
Council odd job man, George Gribble (George Formby) shows two reporters around the town. Basingstoke in Hampshire is listed on a number of web sites and appears to be the sole location apart from stock or second unit shots.
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
Tangleton's 15th Century church is seen in the distance. Steve Randall identifies this as overlooking Cleobury Mortimer in Shropshire with the spire of St. Mary the Virgin to the centre.
- Capture 3
- 'Now' required
A photo of Councillor Oxbold's home is taken, where just four people live. Located by Steve Randall, this is the now demolished Abbotsbury House on Barnet Lane, Elstree in Hertfordshire.
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required
George points out Paradise Row, where he lives with fourteen others. Ray Glenister has found that 'Paradise Row' is, in reality, looking east from Joices Yard to the background building in Pay Place, Basingstoke, Hampshire. (RL)
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
The reporters visit George's street before returning to London, and writing an article condemning the town.
- Capture 6
- 'Now' required
An opinion poll is carried out in the town, which the councilors hope will redress the balance.
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
George is ordered to throw the poll results away after the outcome shows the population is unsatisfied with the council.
- Capture 8
- 'Now' required
The results are loaded into the new municipal road sweeper.
- Capture 9
- 'Now' required
The road sweeper starts to malfunction as it makes it's way along the street. Eastrop Lane in Basingstoke.
- Capture 10
- 12 Oct 2018
Sir Timothy Strawbridge (Robertson Hare) and George watch as the town's brand new sweeper comes to a halt. Eastrop Lane with the pathway that now leads to Eastfield Avenue on the left.
John Leete took this comparison view.
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
When the sweeper's driver fails to fix the engine, George and Sir Timothy get the vehicle going. Eastrop Lane again.
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required
Sir Timothy holds on as the sweeper speeds away uncontrollably. Eastrop Lane with St. Mary's Court on the right.
- Capture 13
- 12 Oct 2018
A policeman on point duty dodges out of the way. The junction of Basing Road and Eastrop Lane with Eastrop Bridge over the River Loddon and the disused Basingstoke Canal behind the vehicle.
A changed view provided by John Leete.
- Capture 14
- 'Now' required
Sir Timothy shouts to George to stop the vehicle. Basing Road, now replaced by Churchill Way, with Basingstoke gasworks in the extreme left background.
- Capture 15
- 'Now' required
When he searches for the brake, George turns on the water spray. Ray turns on the location identification, Gashouse Road, Basingstoke, Hamps. looking south. (RL)
- Capture 16
- 'Now' required
Soaked pedestrians shout and wave their fists at George. Having found the previous capture Ray tells us that this is Gashouse Road looking north, with the lower southern end of this steep road visible in the following capture on the left where it meets Basing Road and Eastrop Lane. (RL)
- Capture 17
- 'Now' required
With the odd looking vehicle spraying water and spilling dust, George does a U turn. Facing Basing Road and the gasworks at the end of Eastrop Lane.
- Capture 18
- 12 Oct 2018
Another lever is pulled and rubbish is thrown from the sweeper. Facing north on Eastrop Lane with the gasworks in the distance.
John Leete's image shows that the gasometer has been replaced by Waitrose.
- Capture 19
- 12 Oct 2018
The poll results are scattered into the street as the sweeper passes. Looking south on Eastrop Lane from the junction with St. Mary's Court. Sheila Farrelly was a young girl of 14 when she watched scenes being shot in Eastrop Lane where she and her friends were paid 3d to clear up the leaflets that flew out of the sweeper as it drove up and down. "Our clothes got covered in the smoke that billowed from the bright yellow machine and we had to pick up leaflets several times, being paid on each occasion." Sheila met George Formby, Robertson Hare and Gerald Moore as well as the Director Marcel Varnel and she still has their autographs.
Very recognisable as the same corner in John Leete's comparison.
- Capture 20
- 'Now' required
Sir Timothy hangs on as a corner is taken.
- Capture 21
- 'Now' required
The runaway sweeper passes through town. The Market Square at the corner of Church Street as seen from Winchester Street in Basingstoke.
- Capture 22
- 'Now' required
Police are alerted as passers by stand clear of the road. Ray has identified this as Cambridge Terrace, Basingstoke, looking south.
- Capture 23
- 12 Oct 2018
Sir Timothy's ride continues as the sweeper careers through the streets of Tangleton. Mal Blay identifies this as London Road in Basingstoke, outside the White Hart public house.
The same road now taken by John Leete.
- Capture 24
- 'Now' required
A road roller enters the road from the opposite end. Facing Church Street from Church Square. On the left stands Church Street Methodist Church which was demolished in 1967.
- Capture 25
- 'Now' required
George swerves to avoid the road roller and crashes the sweeper into a wall. Facing west on Church Square in Basingstoke, Hampshire.