Horse’s Mouth, The

Date: 1958
Director: Ronald Neame
Production Company: Knightsbridge Films

Stars: Alec Guinness, Kay Walsh, Renee Houston, Mike Morgan, Robert Coote, Michael Gough, Reginald Beckwith, Ernest Thesiger
Location(s): London

Region(s):

Storyline:

Gulley Jimpson is a broke and somewhat vulgar but dedicated painter who searches for the perfect realisation of his artistic vision, much to the annoyance of others.

Additional Information:

Screen captures and uncredited ‘now’ images uploaded by Phil Wilkinson

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An establishing shot of Du Cane Road at the junction with Wulfstan Street in London W12. The corner also appears in 'Doctor in Clover'.

Street clutter now spoils the view.

Nosey (Mike Morgan) cycles towards HM Prison Wormwood Scrubs to meet Gulley Jimson. The Central Line passes overhead behind.

The greenery has encroached - can't see the trains nowadays.

Gulley (Alec Guinness) and Nosey leave Wormwood Scrubs. The same corner and the prison are seen in 'The Italian Job', 'Seven Keys', 'Black Orchid', 'Hot Millions', 'A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square', 'Frenzy', 'The Big Job', 'Go to Blazes', 'Jungle Street', 'Nothing Barred', 'Dr. Crippen', 'Morgan, a Suitable Case for Treatment' amongst many others.

Looking along Du Cane Road.

Stealing Nosey's bicycle, Gulley rides away along Wulfstan Road.

The street has become an avenue and there isn't a bus in sight.

Nosey explains to a policeman.

The same house on Wulfstan Road.

Gulley heads to his Chelsea houseboat. Moored off . . .

. . . Cheyne Walk, London SW3.

Children playing on the houseboat scatter as Gulley approaches. The Thames next to Battersea Bridge.

A similar viewpoint now.

Gulley looks out over the river. Cheyne Walk near Battersea Bridge in SW10, a location that can be seen in 'Linda', 'Design for Loving', 'I'm a Stranger' and 'Otley'.

Overlooking the Thames at Battersea Bridge Gardens on Cheyne Walk, Chelsea.

A Constable approaches and questions Gulley. Lots Road Power Station stands in the left background.

Below Cheyne Walk near Battersea Bridge.

Drawing to a halt, a number 19 allows Gulley and Miss Coker to alight onto the street identified by Neil Rigby as Falcon Grove in London SW11. Helen Craig contacted us to advise that her mother was the bus conductress.

The street never was on a bus route and now leads nowhere. (PW)

Gulley and Miss Dee Coker (Kay Walsh) head for Sara Monday's house. Not far from Clapham Junction, this is Falcon Grove confirms Neil. (RL)

A wider view of what has replaced the terraces. (PW)

The still operating business of Russell Motors moved to Falcon Road near Clapham Junction station and the premises on Falcon Grove were redeveloped. (RL)

Not a sign of what stood before. (PW)

Outside Sara Monday's house. Neil Rigby identifies the street as Falcon Grove SW11.

Looking westward towards the undeveloped section of the street. (PW)

Gulley and Dee outside Hickson's house. Found by Neil Rigby, this is Lowndes Place SW1 which was also seen in 'The Man Who Loved Redheads'.

This replaces Neil Rigby's Google capture of Lowndes Place near Chesham Place. SJ

Getting out of a cab, Gulley arrives in town.

After "walking the streets" with Bing, Neil Rigby finally found the location in Feb '17, identifying this as Grosvenor Square and the corner of South Audley Street, London W1 that has subsequently been re-developed. This replaces his Bing. SJ

Gulley and Nosey near the BRS Chelsea Parcel Depot.

Richard Lovejoy advises that B.R.S. has now become M&S but the beautiful curved glass windows of 105 Kings Road survive.

The Tate Gallery, now known as Tate Britain, on Millbank in Pimlico SW1. The building appears in many productions including ‘Seven Days to Noon’, ‘A Game for Vultures’, 'How to Undress in Public Without Undue Embarrassment', 'The Fake', 'Fun at St. Fanny's', 'Food for a Blush', 'Bean' and 'Stop Press Girl'.

The Tate Gallery now.

Gulley descends the steps of The Tate.

The same location.

Escaping after trying to retrieve one of his paintings from Mrs. Monday, Gulley and Nosey run down an alleyway. Martin Caiger-Smith explains that this is now a private gated alleyway running the length of Aldebert Terrace to the corner of Albert Square in SW8 and adds that the wall to the right was built in the 18th century, predating the houses, and marks the land boundary of the Dean & Chapter of Westminster.

One of the doors further up leads from Martin's garden enabling him to take this comparison where the pattern of dark bricks on the first doorway identifies the location without doubt. Although some rebuilding has taken place on the higher tiers of the garden walls to the left, the location is remarkably unchanged.

  • 'Now' required

Would be Artists file into the derelict Parish Hall where Gully is giving painting lessons.

  • 'Now' required

When Council Workers arrive to knock down the hall, Gulley demolishes the work of art created inside the building. In an interview, Director Ronald Neame states that this was on a lot at Shepperton Studios.

Gulley departs for greater things as Tower Bridge opens for him.

And the bridge opened for Peter too.