How to Undress in Public Without Undue Embarrassment

A tour of the sleazier side of London's Soho follows the title sequence. Paul Raymond's Revue Bar on Brewer Street W1.

The memory lingers on. PW

Looking along Great Windmill Street towards the Windmill Theatre with the Cameo Moulin on the left.

Great Windmill Street . . . sixty years later. PW

The camera peers down a darkened street. Dave W prefers to call it a darkened court, Green Court, W1 in fact, looking south-east. (RL)

The windows of the building on distant Brewer Street prove the location. PW

Outside the Casino de Paris Striptease club occupying numbers 5 to 7 Denman Street W1.

All that's left can be seen to the top right. PW

Facing south-west on Old Compton Street with the vertical lights advertising Cinzano, just right of centre, next door to the 2i's Coffee Bar.

Still a centre of activity . . . but not as much on a Sunday morning. PW

The action moves into a studio strip club where we find Reginald Beckwith's character watching the "ritual undressing" of an Anglo-Saxon Lady for the delectation of Anglo-Saxon Gentlemen. Walker's Court running between Peter Street and Brewer Street.

The bridge over the alley remains in place. PW

Returning to an outdoor location, a prudish Man (John Pertwee) attempts to undress with dignity on the beach. West Wittering beach, Sussex. At the far end of the beach. (SD)

Successfully donning his bathing costume beneath his overcoat, the Victorian Man reveals himself before heading to the sea. West Wittering beach, at the far end of the beach. (SD)

Finding the water too cold, the Man runs back to his clothes and gets dressed as quickly as decency allows. West Wittering beach. (SD)

In the Edwardian period there was a relaxation of modesty . . . and Women were soon revealed in all their shapes and sizes. Stock footage of a beauty contest features amongst photos and drawings of the time.

"One of life's most salutary principles is that however pure your mind, however noble your intention . . . " West Wittering beach, at the entrance to the car park. (SD)

" . . . you must never never jump to conclusions." West Wittering beach, at the far end of the car park. (SD)

Finding his swimsuit missing from the car, a Henpecked Husband looks around the deserted dunes before putting on an apron left from his earlier household chores. West Wittering beach, at the start of the beach huts, near to the entrance of the car park. (SD)

Enjoying a dip in his inappropriate swimwear, the Man looks back towards the beach and is horrified to discover that it's now full of people. West Wittering beach, opposite the eastern end of the car park. (SD)

On a sleeper train, confusion arises when one Passenger puts on the clothes taken off by his fellow Traveller. Not the best image, but lightening the capture reveals a very "foreign" looking gate at an unidentified level crossing.

"The architect of all our peculiarities, foibles and fads about undressing in public is Mr. Grundy (Jon Pertwee)." The Tate Gallery on Millbank SW1.

Taken inside the railings which has been reinforced by a thick hedge. SJ

Mr. Grundy enters the Tate Gallery to view works by artists, his oldest enemy. The steps of the Tate Gallery on Millbank. The gallery also appears in 'The Horse's Mouth', 'Bean', 'Stop Press Girl', 'The Fake', 'Escape Route' and 'A Game for Vultures'.

Fortunately not particularly busy for my visit. SJ

"In Britain alone there are over 20,000 nudists and over 70 sun camps." The North Stable Block at Woburn Abbey in the village of Woburn, Bedfordshire.

"For the first time, we have been permitted to show to the general public a copy of the current naturists' newsreel."

"Around Eden Lodge a much loved figure is the Postman."

"Britain is an island built on a solid foundation of prejudice and entirely surrounded by inhibitions." The statue of Achilles at the junction of Serpentine Road, Broad Walk and The Ring in Hyde Park, Hyde Park Corner W1 with the top of the Hilton Hotel visible through the trees to the right.

Unusually the trees in the background are less imposing and there's a more generous view of the Hilton. SJ

"But in this age of discovery, the idea of undressing in public has lit a candle in our naughty world that an ill wind of prudies will not now put out." Dave W identifies the location as Newport Court WC2, seen, as he says, from the opposite direction in capture 45 of 'West 11'. And we agree with Dave that those railings seem a sad loss, as the eventual comparative shot will show. (RL)

Newport Court sixty years later. PW

"Is it a social embarrassment, or is it a way to win friends and influence people? Is it an art, a skill, a party trick, a dirty trick?" The Cameo Moulin at 44 Great Windmill Street W1, which can also be seen in 'The Man Who Had Power Over Women' and 'The Small World of Sammy Lee'.

Without the signage, it's the building that appears nude now. PW

"Inevitably we come back to Britain's oldest inhabitant, Mr. Grundy. Prince of protestors, defender of the trouser painters, patron of the fig leaf. Our moral turpitude is his constant concern." David McFall's statue of Pocahontas at the corner of Red Lion Square and Drake Street WC1 with Fisher Street to the top centre.

From no. 35 looking south. A bus stand prevents a clear view of the corner of Fisher Street and Drake Street. The statue was thought to have been moved after 1981 to Greycoat Pace then Villiers House, Strand before being sold off at auction in the mid 90s: its whereabouts are now unknown. SJ

"Words, music, entertainment . . . all are subject to his prejudiced observation. Not a solitary diversion escapes his vigilant ear or his watchful eye." St. Anne's Court W1 with Dean Street crossing the background.

Redevelopment gives a slightly wider view of Dean Street. PW

Leaving a club in which he is finally converted to the pleasures of undressing by Fenella Fielding's deep voiced commentary, Mr. Grundy follows one of the Stripper's from the building. Outside Stage 4 at Elstree Studios on Shenley Road in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.

Taking off his hat and bowing politely to her, the Stripper accepts Mr. Grundy's invitation to dance as the film draws to an end. Associated British Production's Elstree Studios on Shenley Road, Borehamwood.