Hidden Homicide

Having woken up in a strange cottage with a gun in his hand and a dead body of a man, Michael Cornforth (Griffith Jones) leaves with two girls that happen to have sought shelter and found the dead body.

As they walk along the local lane away from the cottage they see an approaching car and hide in the long grass beside the road.

Realising that they should perhaps have asked for a lift they almost immediately see a windmill but choose to continue to walk to the station. I believe this to be Hurt Wood Mill, Ewhurst, Surrey, now Grade II listed and a private home.

Michael sees the girls onto a train as Jean Gilson (Patricia Laffan) waves to him from the window. PW advises that this Merton Park, also seen in 'Horror Hospital', Solo for Sparrow', 'Accidental Death' and 'The Frozen Dead'. The unit is a BR built Mk1 design 2EPB and Route Code 2 ran between West Croydon and Wimbledon. The line closed in 1997 although the Merton Park tram stop is nearby.

This is the nearby tram stop, which may have to do as a "now" for now. SJ

Having made his own way home he decides not to enter but to call on his neighbour Mungo Peddy (Charles Farrell) who could verify that he saw Michael go to bed. Albion Mews, Bayswater, London W2, this and all the other captures of the Mews identified by Ray Glenister.

A lot of changes to the mews so I can't guarantee 100% accuracy, SJ

He crosses what looks like a mews to another property, his own. Albion Mews, Bayswater, London W2

This is the west side of the southern section of the mews. SJ

Having found a finger print on his cooker Michael calls in his old crime reporter friend Bill Dodd (Bruce Seton) who agrees to help. Ray resolves a long standing and 'annoying' unknown location to reveal Albion Mews, Bayswater, London W2

The background building is there, just hidden. SJ

As Bill drives off down the Mews who should be about to visit but Jean who Michael had asked “to keep in touch”. The Mews was also seen in 'Whispering Smith Hits Town' now known to be, thanks to Ray, Albion Mews, Bayswater, London W2

Again growth has rendered the curl of the wall almost invisible. SJ

Was he pleased to see her? Albion Mews, Bayswater, London W2 again.

Looking north-west up the mews. SJ

As they decide to leave, Michael’s “char”, Mrs Dodge arrives. Albion Mews, Bayswater, London W2 thanks to Ray.

Now. SJ

As Jean leaves her home a police car pulls up and Ashbury (Robert Raglan) from the county police and Sergeant Wright (Richard Shaw) start to speak to her about her friend Marian (Maya Koumani) who has been taken to hospital and is telling the story about finding a body. Ray Glenister finds them chatting outside 34 Watery Lane, Merton, London SW20 with the doors of 32/30 visible behind them.

John Harwood found the hedge had become unruly. (SJ)

Having answered their questions and advising them that the man involved was a Martin Cornforth she immediately calls Michael from a convenient telephone box. Ray has now found the location to be the western end of Kenley Road where it meets Mostyn Road, London SW19. Both the post box and the telephone box were real and not props. The George V (GR) post box survives to this day. The K3 telephone box, painted white with red doors and red window surrounds, has, like so many of any design, long gone.

Peter Bywaters captured the same location confirming that the same post box remains, except for the stamp dispenser, but the K3 telephone box has indeed been lost. At least there is one link to the past.

Ashbury and Sergeant Wright visit the stated scene of the crime to interview the owner Martin Cornforth, who whilst not at home, is approaching from down the lane.

The police return to their car, drive towards him and interview him about “the trouble he had on Sunday with two young ladies”.

Ashbury finds Martin (Michael in disguise) very vague about events, unless they mean about the young lady who mistook a mop for a dead body and was disturbed by his 12 bore. The sign to the Desborough Sailing Club, Ferry Lane, Shepperton reminded Lois Greer that her grandfather was a member there in the 60's and that she and her family spent many a happy weekend there as children while he sailed his dinghy up the Thames!

Expecting more police involvement Jean leaves her lodgings. Peter Brown advises that the station is Teddington and this is the entrance on Victoria Road in Teddington, Surrey.

Antony Blair fights for position with a parked car.

Discarding his disguise Michael makes his way from the house to the windmill to meet with Bill who has removed the body from the house. Hurt Wood Mill, Ewhurst, Surrey again.

Jean has made her way to Michael’s Mews house to see Mrs Dodge leaving Mungo Peddy’s where she also cleans, to collect an iron from Michael's. As Ray Glenister tells us, Albion Mews, Bayswater, London W2

About here. SJ

Bill and Michael make their way back, Bill to his office, Michael to the Public Record Office to “check on Martin Cornforth”. The junction of Bushey Road and Grand Drive, Merton, London SW20

As might have been expected, Peter found a much changed and busier junction.

As Jean waits on Michael’s doorstep she sees a young man leave Mungo’s. Albion Mews, Bayswater, London W2

No18 today which led to the late Lucy Rie's studio. SJ

Jean decides to follow him and the young lad picks up pace. Kingston Road at the junction with Quintin Avenue, London SW19

He would have to avoid street furniture these days.

He hops onto a bus. Kingston Road looking towards The Rush.

Essentially the same scene notwithstanding the evidence of "progress".

Jean follows in a conveniently available taxi. Kingston Road, London SW19

She would have had to catch a bus or maybe pre-book a taxi these days.

The young lad alights the bus. For the record it is not the one he boarded! Kingston Road opposite Sandringham Ave London SW19

Doing my best to exclude the very large delivery van.

Meanwhile Michael enters his mews. Albion Mews, Bayswater, London W2 looking towards Albion Street.

Looking west at the north end of the mews. SJ

As he turns the corner he sees the police and someone points him out. Albion Mews, Bayswater, London W2

And I turned left and south for this verdant view. SJ

Michael dodges to hide behind a wall as the police give chase. Roger Armstrong identifies this as Hartfield Crescent, London SW19 as seen from Dundonald Road. The street lamp remains in the same place, the trees have grown and the properties have been smartened up over the years.

John Harwood notes the trees have grown and the chimneys lost... Indeed it looks like some rebuilding to the left, and, looking at Google, there is also a very recent infill to the right. (SJ)

The young lad turns to enter a house as Jean watches unseen. With the aid of Roger's identification of the previous capture this appears to be Goodenough Road, London SW19. with Jean outside the gate to No 4.

John H. found a much more tree-lined street. (SJ)

They meet on his doorstep and he introduces himself as Oswald Castellan (James Kenney), “also a friend of Michael Cornforth”. The shadow of the telegraph pole and the number on the door would suggest they are at No 12 Goodenough Road, London SW19.

John went to number 12. (SJ)

The police continue to comb the streets. Wilton Crescent, London SW19

Still a quiet leafy suburb.

Michael continues to run. Merton Hall Road, London SW19 in front of the parade of shops which can also be seen in 'Konga', 'The Grand Junction Case' and 'Dead Man's Chest'.

The best possible shot given all that was going on at the time . . . and subsquently, but the inspection covers remain to confirm the location.

Until he hears and sees a police car coming towards him and stops outside No. 122 See PO Box in pavement.

It has rather ended up as a then and now of the PO Box.

The police get nearer. Merton Hall Road.

Oh, for those days of clear roads.

After he doges into a doorway the police supposedly pass him but this junction isn’t near him. Junction of Wilton Crescent and Fairlawn Road, London SW19

No longer a roundabout.

The lady is not amused and chases him out of 122 Merton Hall Road threatening to call the police.

She seems to have rather let her hedge grow.

Oswald agrees to take Jean to see Michael, “it might cheer him up”. Passing the Diana Fountain, Chestnut Avenue, Bushy Park, Hampton

A brighter day, a grubbier fountain, 64 years later. (SR)

They arrive at a Thames side location as Oswald tells Jean that Michael is on a friend's houseboat…..

....just as Michael starts to emerge from a pathway… Merton Hall Road opposite Henfield Road.

A more open environment now.

...…and sees a police car. Wilton Crescent, London SW19

Quiet enough to stand in the road for this shot.

Then finds a convenient passing taxi. Identified as Merton Hall Road just outside Wimbledon Chase Primary School by Peter Bywaters.

Peter provides this comparative shot to support his identification.

Michael learns from Bill that Mungo has been killed with an electric iron with Michael’s name on it and waits at the station for Bill to collect him. Wimbledon Chase Station.

We seem to be less proud of saying who is running what now.

A suspicious policeman (John Watson) records Bill’s registration number.

I don't think anyone was suspicious of my activity.

Whilst the police now seek the car in order to catch up with Michael, he and Bill are on their way to see an act at a theatre performed by the deceased's wife who now stands to inherit. Russell Road, London SW19, a street that also appears in 'The Strange Case of Blondie'.

From ground level.

They park up…… Russell Road, London SW19

I should have been further back had it not been for parked vans........

…..and enter the theatre to watch an act performed by Martin Cornforth’s wife (aka Oswald Castellen). Wimbledon Theatre, The Broadway, London SW19

With added handrails.

After “Colorado Kate” (aka Oswald Castellan) sees Bill and Michael in a box "she" makes a hasty escape.

yes......those vans!

Bill and Michael give chase.

From ground level.

Naturally, followed by the police.

Rather changed background businesses.

“Colorado Kate” drives into the countryside, she takes a tight bend...... Pitch Hill turning into Peaslake Road. The "woody" was also used in the 'Crooked Sky'.

For once a "Road Closed" works in or favour.

........followed by Bill and Michael, and of course, the police but they are turning out of Pitch Hill turning into Peaslake Road!

I have no idea how I would have managed these shots had parking not been made available for me.

As “Colorado Kate” passes a pub Bill and Michael clearly have her in their view. “The Windmill”, Pitch Hill, Surrey GU6 7NN

And we only stopped for the photo.

She pulls off the road near a large house in the trees to make her escape on foot.

Bill and Michael miss the event and drive by. The police have lost them both.

Now dark, Bill and Michael pull up at a pub for a couple of whisky’s” and find the landlord knows all about Kate who lives on a boat with a young man.

Whether Peter Bywaters stopped by just for this shot we may never know.

They “have a hunch” and find the boat along with the station wagon parked up.

As they board the boat, Kate jumps ashore and runs. Shepperton Weir to Hamhaugh Island.

With sincere thanks to, Lock Master, Alan Crawford for showing me the direction and allowing me access to this private property.

Cornered by the police “she” prepares to jump as Michael takes his coat off to save "her". Shepperton Lock

No "jumpers" today.