Hell Is a City

Inspector Harry Martineau (Stanley Baker) is met by Detective Devery (Geoffrey Frederick) after another long day at work.

Same street, different building. Mosley Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester. After I took this shot and was checking notes, a voice behind me said 'Hell is a City'. It was the gent approaching to the right of the two in the picture - who knew the reason why anyone would be taking a photo of a wall!

The two make their way to the fictional Lacy Arms for a drink. Cromford Court off Corporation Street. The area has been redeveloped. Andrew confirms that it is indeed 'The Fatted Calf', long gone, but tells us that "Dad was a Bobby in Manchester in the 60s and remembers the film being made. He also said one of the bobbies in the shot near the back of Piccadilly was a real Bobby as a few of the locals were used as extras. I think he told me his name but I can't remember." (RL)

Publican Doug Savage (George A. Cooper) serves a customer as Martineau and Devery enter the bar.

The Inspector is driven home from the pub. Crompton Street, Oldham, Greater Manchester.

James Cochrane visited the same location over 55 years after filming.

Martineau lets himself into the house where his Wife is waiting for him to return. Crompton Street, Oldham.

A closer view of the terrace now. Picture by James Cochrane.

Escaped convict Don Starling has planned a robbery to take place in the film's Higgitts Passage, played by Cromford Court on Corporation Street.

Malcolm advises that the approximate location is currently a Pizza Hut so here it is.

Tawny Jakes drives a van to Higgitts Passage in preparation for the robbery. Facing north on Corporation Street, Manchester with Long Millgate running to the left in the background. John Tomlinson adds that the Arndale now stands on the right and the building to the left is the HQ of Royal Insurance was which destroyed in the 1996 IRA bombing.

The area is now known as The Triangle.

The van is driven along the narrow alley.

A longer shot of the location.

Raymond Kemp advises that "Kemps was at 10 Corporation Street. This shot is of the back street to the rear of the premises and I remember opening up at night for the film crew. The area has since been demolished and is now part of the Arndale Centre!"

Tawny Jakes (Joby Blanshard) positions the van. Cromford Court. The narrow street gave it's name to the now demolished apartment scheme on top of the Arndale Centre.

Don Starling (John Crawford) appears, climbing down a fire escape. Arnie told us that his Mother's cousin, Bobby McDermott, was appointed to advise Stanley Baker on the criminal underworld of Manchester. The two spent a lot of time together, especially in the Cromford Club in Cromford Court, now absorbed into the Arndale centre. Bobby was was known as the 'King of the Barrow Boys' and wore a ring on every finger.

Outside Hawkins' betting shop, Bragg (Dickie Owen) loads the car in preparation for a day at Doncaster races.

Conveniently, the exit out of the shopping centre follows the line of New Brown Street and that, says Peter Brown, places the betting shop here.

Laurie Lovett watches the activity outside the shop. Victoria Street, Manchester M3. From left to right in the background are the now almost completely vanished Manchester Exchange station, the tower of Strangeways Prison and the chimney of Boddington's Brewery.

A few changes here, and a church has appeared in the middle of what was once the road!

Gus Hawkins (Donald Pleasence) leaves his betting shop. New Brown Street facing Cannon Street in Manchester. Information from www.levyboy.com

Peter Brown captures the location now. Cannon Street in the background has been replaced by the main shopping mall.

Gus talks with his wife, Chloe (Billie Whitelaw), as clerks Cecily Wainwright (Lois Dane) and Sam (Alister Williamson) prepare to take money to the bank. New Brown Street.

The same scene by Peter Brown, taken from a slightly different angle. New Brown Street is now a nondescript exit to the shopping centre.

Laurie Lovett (Charles Morgan) watches Gus drive away as the two clerks set off to the bank.

Peter Brown explains that New Brown Street ran east/west and joined Brown Street to Danzic Street, both of which are extant. Similarly, Cannon Street ran north/south and joined Cateaton Street to Church Street, both of which are extant. Those lines cross here, the site of the betting shop.

Cecily and Sam are followed along the street by Lovett. The excellent web site at www.levyboy.com identifies this as the junction of Cannon Street and New Brown Street. Unfortunately, both streets now lie underneath a further redevelopment opened in the 2000s after the 1996 Manchester bombing.

Peter Brown took this shot of the main shopping mall, which more or less follows the line of Cannon Street. This is looking north at the intersection with New Brown Street.

The two clerks approach the ambush. Malcolm confirms that this is Corporation Street in Manchester.

The same location now.

Starling and Tawny attack Cecily and Sam as Lovett drives the Buick into the alley behind them. Cromford Court, Manchester.

During the getaway, Starling hits Cecily over the head to keep her quiet. West Street, Oldham looking towards Rochdale Road identified on www.levyboy.com

The same location now by "Billy Poundland".

An additional screen capture from "Billy Poundland" to explain the area around West Street.

"Billy" also provides this comparison shot of the location. (RL)

As the gang continue their escape they discover that Cecily has been killed by the blow. On the A62 Manchester Road at the junction with Mount Road. In the left background stands The Carriage House public house. Marsden, West Yorkshire. Victor Grayson advises that the hill that looms behind is Pule Hill (outside Marsden) and also appears in "Yanks" Capture 23. (RL)

From a similar viewpoint now. Image by James C.

Martineau and Devery are alerted by radio after Cecily's body is found on the moors. Wilmslow Road, Didsbury in Manchester.

The gang dump the Buick and transfer to Clogger Roach's taxi. Pule Hill quarry on Mount Road near Marsden, West Yorkshire. Information from www.british-film-locations.com

James C.provides this comparison of the same location.

The Inspector and Devery arrive at the scene of the crime.

Corporation Street adjacent to Exchange Square in the area now known as The Triangle.

Martineau approaches the detectives examining the van used in the robbery.

The pub's real name was The Fatted Calf and it stood in Cromford Court, an alley off Corporation Street. Also see the web site http://pubs-of-manchester.blogspot.co.uk/2010/01/fatted-calf-cromford-court.html

Devery visits to question Furnisher Steele, the informant who helped to convict Starling. Albion Street, Manchester.

The street to the left before the rebuilt bridge is Hewitt Street and is seen later in the film.

Chloe Hawkins finishes her extramarital relations before Gus returns from the races. Milwain Road in Levenshulme, Manchester.

The hedge has only grown about a foot in over 50 years!

Whilst her Husband is questioned by Martineau, Chloe heads for her house, on fictional Rusholme Drive, to find Starling inside.

Errwood Road near the corner with Milwain Road in Levenshulme.

The morning after, Gus thinks he hears starlings in the loft. Errwood Road, Manchester M19. The web site www.levyboy.com has more information on this film.

The same house is now hiding behind the foliage.

When Martineau arrives for work he learns that Gus had been attacked by Starling as he escaped the house. Mosley Street, Manchester.

The same building now looking towards Piccadilly Gardens.

Martineau arrives to question Chloe.

Facing south on Errwood Road, Levenshulme near the junction with Errwood Crescent and Milwain Road.

On the moor, men gather and make their way to a regular gambling ring. Rivington Street, Oldham.

The scene has changed somewhat in this image from James Cochrane.

Hawkins' clerk Bragg is in on the action and warns a householder to look out for the cops.

James C. found the same houses standing to the right.

Whilst the illegal activities take place, police arrive to raid the 'tossing school'.

More officers approach the moor. Looking south on Wallshaw Street, Oldham. Information again from www.levyboy.com

More drastic changes in James Cochrane's comparison.

The police cars turn from Henshaw Street into Crompton Street, Oldham, Greater Manchester.

James C. captured the same building.

The police close in, interrupting Doug Savage's winning streak. Rivington Street, Oldham with the White Horse public house, on Henshaw Street, in the top right background. Detail from www.levyboy.com W.J. Forsyth points out that it is actually The Whitehouse Inn and still stands in February 2018 (RL)

The same spot now, provided by James.

There's lots of running away and wonderful backdrops as the alarm is raised.

Clues to the location can be made out in James' modern view.

The men scatter as the police raid the illegal school. Many of these shots were filmed around Oldham Edge, Greater Manchester.

Not a great deal to go on in this picture of the same area from James Cochrane.

The police start to round up the gamblers.

Doug Savage makes a run for it.

The police corner Savage. Henshaw Street, Oldham, Greater Manchester. The area has been been redeveloped.

No such excitement when James was here.

Savage is apprehended and taken in for questioning. Henshaw Street again.

James Cochrane's shot shows that the houses have all been taken in for questioning too.

Martineau arrives at the Police Station. The courtyard of Southmill Street Police Station looking out onto Bootle Street, Manchester.

The station has since been renamed Bootle Street Police Station. With thanks to the Greater Manchester Police for permission to take this shot.

Inside, Savage names Clogger, Tawny and Laurie as attending the school.

The courtyard of Bootle Street Police Station. With thanks to the Greater Manchester Police for permission to take this shot.

Work goes on as normal at Lovett's Garage. Raby Street in a now demolished and redeveloped Moss Side to the south of Manchester.

Martineau and Devery approach the garage. Looking along Moss Lane East from Raby Street at the junction with Ainsty Street in Manchester M14.

The detectives get out of the car to question Lovett. Raby Street, Moss Side.

Lovett evades questions and asks if Martineau has a search warrant.

Clogger Roach (Charles Houston) arrives in his taxi and gives Martineau enough reason to arrest the two crooks. The converted church on Raby Street.

Tawny buys a ticket to skip town. Central Station off Windmill Street, Manchester. Once, Blue Pullman trains to London left from here - now, the structure remains as the Central Convention Complex.

The police arrest Tawny as he attempts to catch his train. Manchester Central station in M2.

Martineau heads to Lacy Arms' barmaid Lucretia Luske's house on fictional Manfield Road.

Henshaw Street in Oldham taken by James Cochrane.

As Lucretia 'Lucky' Luske once had a relationship with Starling, Martineau believes that she may be able to assist. Henshaw Street again.

More trees that replace the buildings from the film.

'Lucky' Luske (Vanda Godsell) answers her door but can't help trace her ex-boyfriend Starling. Henshaw Street, Oldham in Greater Manchester. This property has been demolished but the houses in the background still stand facing Oldham Edge.

James Cochrane capture the only buildings from the film that remain on the street.

A crowd gathers outside Furnisher Steele's shop as objects begin to be thrown through the upper windows.

Albion Street, Manchester.

Inside the shop, Furnisher's daughter Silver is being attacked by Starling as Martineau arrives. Albion Street looking north towards Whitworth Street.

Through the bridge can be seen the former Central station, now the Central Convention Complex.

Silver is shot by Starling and Martineau. Albion Street just south of the bridge carrying the railway between Oxford Road and Deansgate stations.

The bridge has been rebuilt and the curved building, centre right, is what replaced The Haçienda nightclub.

Starling escapes as Martineau enters the building. Looking west along Hewitt Street with Rowendale Street passing underneath Deansgate station on the viaduct to the right.

The same street now.

The Inspector follows as Starling makes his way onto the rooftops. The roof of the Palace Hotel (formally Refuge Assurance) on Oxford Street, Manchester identified by Malcolm. Now 82 years old, Barbara Rigby recalls that she was working at Refuge Assurance with her twin sister Margaret when filming took place. "It was very exciting and we were watching the scenes being shot on the Refuge roof from outside the Palace Theatre opposite. It was rumoured that the production team asked the chef in the company restaurant for some tomato ketchup to represent ‘blood’."

Taken from a little lower down the building. With thanks to everyone at The Palace Hotel.

The chase contines high above the streets.

Martineau makes his way across the rooftops in pursuit of Starling. Looking down on Oxford Road station at the end of Station Approach off Whitworth Street.

Oxford Road station from the ground.

Reinforcements arrive below as Starling shouts at Martineau.

Starling fires his gun, hitting Martineau.

Ok, not the same angle and possibly not the same chimney but I wasn't going on the roof! Taken from inside The Palace Hotel with thanks to the management and staff.

The injured Inspector slides down the slates and grapples with Starling as reinforcements make their way to the roof. Looking down at the junction of Oxford Street and Whitworth Street.

The same road junction from street level with the Palace Theatre on the right.

After Starling is apprehended, charged and sentenced the newspapers report that he is to be hanged. Looking through the screen captures, Alan Whitehead realised that he was one of the children playing football on the old Assize Courts site when he was just 10 years old. He lived on nearby Carter Street, which was the only street with houses, at the bottom of Southall Street. Alan recalls that "The director gave his assistant a pound note to share amongst us and he bought a bar of chocolate for each of us and kept the change!"

Great Ducie Street, Manchester M3.

The camera moves to settle on Strangeways Prison.

HM Prison Manchester, Great Ducie Street, Manchester.

As the clock strikes 9am, Don Starling is executed. John B. confirms the location as the main entrance to Strangeways Prison on Southall Street.

Displaying typical Alfred Waterhouse architecture, Peter Brown shows the main entrance to the prison. Here Peter has an advantage over me, I only know the London nicks! John Tunstill. Image copyright Google.

Martineau takes a walk through Manchester's streets after time off work to recover from his injuries. Parker Street to the south of Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester.

Trees, Toilets and Trams

The Inspector makes his way through Lewis's Arcade off Mosley Street. Located on the web site www.levyboy.com

Not much left of the arcade after past redevelopment. The view from Mosley Street, Piccadilly.

A Prostitute (Unidentified) approaches but recognises Harry Martineau.

The same spot now. Market Street facing the corner of Tib Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester.