I Don’t Want to Be Born

A street parade is in full swing as Gino Carlesi and his wife Lucy drive home from hospital with their new born son. King's Road in London SW3 with Markham Square in the background.

I think I'm too far back here. SJ

Floats pass slowly along the street. King's Road at the junction with Wellington Square.

Perhaps a foot or two nearer the kerb. SJ

The Fiat 124 Sport Coupé indicates to turn into Wellington Square.

Now that's just about right. SJ

The corner is taken and Gino drives around Wellington Square to park outside the house. The corner was seen in 'The London Nobody Knows' and, from the other direction, 'Smashing Time'.

A nice and peaceful Sunday morning. SJ

Mrs. Hyde (Hilary Mason) welcomes the Carlesis home with their new baby. Wellington Square in Chelsea.

Three out of four trees still extant. SJ

Gino (Ralph Bates) and Lucy Carlesi (Joan Collins) climb the steps as Mrs. Hyde lets them into the house. Wellington Square SW3.

The foreground car prevented exact replication. SJ

With his sister, a nun, arriving from Italy, Gino heads to his office in town. New Bond Street with the Asprey store on the left and the corner of Grafton Street to the centre.

Traffic-free! SJ

Gino nears the building, where Sister Albana has arranged to meet her brother. Facing south-east on New Bond Street. The appears in includes ‘Nothing But the Best’, 'Time is My Enemy', ‘Octopussy’, ‘Absolute Beginners’, ‘Help!’, 'Crooks Anonymous', ‘Just My Luck’, ‘Baby Love’, ‘Joanna’, ‘The Lady is a Square’, ‘Appointment with Crime’, ‘The Stud’, ‘The Mine and the Minotaur’ and of course ‘Bond Street’.

Now. SJ

The concierge open the Fiat's door for Gino before taking the keys to park the car. New Bond Street, the street also features in 'Bond Street', 'Crooks Anonymous', 'Absolute Beginners', 'The Stud', 'The Lady is a Square' and 'Appointment with Crime'.

Outside Mikimoto, known for its pearls. 179 New Bond Street, W1. SJ

At his baptism, Nicholas appears to have a fit whilst being held by a Priest, causing Lucy to return him to Dr. Finch. Steve Randall discovered that this view is of the church of Christ the King in Evander in the province of Mpumalanga, South Africa.

A nurse, Jill Fletcher (Janet Key), is employed to take care of Nicholas. The sign is a giveaway at the corner of Wellington Square and King's Road SW3.

The giveaway sign is still there. SJ

Jill turns a corner as Mandy Gregory (Caroline Munro) approaches the home of her friend, Lucy. To the right can be seen the former Needham Arms public house on King's Road with the greenery of Markham Square beyond.

One of those interesting rapid growth trees has appeared. SJ

Mandy is let inside the house by Lucy who explains that Nicholas may be possessed by the Devil because of a curse placed on her by Hercules after she spurned him at the club where she worked. Facing King's Road from Wellington Square.

Now. SJ

In the park, Jill secures the pram . . . . before Nicholas pushes her into the lake while her back is turned. Black Park, close to Pinewood in Buckinghamshire located by Steve Randall.

Steve provides this comparison as proof.

Suspecting that her child may be the result of a night of passion with her old boss Tommy, Lucy visits the club where she was a dancer before meeting Gino. Bill Rice advises that this is Bruton Place looking towards Berkeley Square in W1.

As soon as this location was identified, Peter rushed to the scene.

When getting out of the taxi, Lucy spots Hercules leaving the club. Although there have been changes over the years, Bill Rice still recognised Bruton Place.

Peter found the street a little less busy.

Lucy takes refuge in the building next door until Hercules (George Claydon) has passed.

Despite massive alterations, Peter persisted and provides this wider shot of the same location. The 'theatre' doorway was next to the frontage with the red canopy.

Sister Albana visits Dr. Finch to enquire about the child's birth and growth. Outside St. George's Hospital at Hyde Park Corner, London SW1.

The exterior remains the same. SJ

Looking towards Wellington Arch from Grosvenor Crescent outside St. George's Hospital. The area was used in 'Perfect Friday', '84 Charing Cross Road' and 'Strange Bedfellows'.

Wellington Arch is hiding behind the trees. SJ

Inside the hospital, Sister Albana tells Dr. Finch of her sister-in-law's fears. The hospital closed in 1980 and the building is now home to The Lanesborough Hotel.

Quite a drastic alteration. SJ

Gino arranges to take his wife away for a break without Nicholas. New Bond Street.

The buildings are the same. SJ

Tommy Morris (John Steiner) follows Lucy from their poolside table after she slaps him while the pair are having drinks. Pete in Datchet advises that the swimming pool is at the Holiday Inn on Ditton Road in Langley, Berkshire but no longer exists.

Outside the hotel, Tommy accuses Lucy of trying to blame him for the problems with Nicholas. The yellow mini-bus in the background bears the legend "Holiday Inn" from which Pete in Datchet was able to identify this particular "inn" as standing at the corner of Ditton Road and Lindon Road in Langley adding that the Marriott chain currently run the premises.

Tommy drives Lucy home after she agrees to show the baby to him. The eastern side of Grosvenor Square in W1. The location was also seen in 'Is Your Honeymoon Really Necessary?' and 'A Game for Vultures'

Looking north. SJ

The camera pans with the car. Mayfair's Grosvenor Square at the junction with Grosvenor Street and Charles Place.

Perhaps better off as a winter shot. SJ

Gino leaves work, taking his car keys from the concierge. Facing north-west on New Bond Street.

Only the pavement matches here, though if there weren't so vehicles parked in the way... SJ

Crossing the road, Gino heads towards his car. The corner of New Bond Street and Burlington Gardens.

No more bank. SJ

Walking past his car, Gino continues towards Piccadilly. The junction of New Bond Street with Old Bond Street and Burlington Gardens.

But definitely the right location. SJ

Gino glances through shop windows as he walks. The corner of Old Bond Street and Piccadilly.

Now. SJ

The camera follows Gino as he crosses Piccadilly towards a grocery shop.

The same location from Peter.

Gino buys provisions before making his way to Fortnum & Mason. Outside Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly. The shop's exterior was also seen in 'Not Now Darling'.

Peter discovered that the traffic lights have moved.

The shot cuts to the mechanical clock on the Piccadilly façade of Fortnum & Mason as Gino shops inside.

The same old clock captured by Peter.

The morning after Gino and his wife spend a romantic evening together, Lucy awakes to find her husband missing. Wellington Square, Chelsea SW3.

The grandest portico in the square. SJ

A taxi carries Lucy to find Sister Albana at St. Theresa's Convent. Chelsea Embankment with Albert Bridge in the background. The bridge was seen in 'Cone of Silence' and 'Goodbye Gemini' among others.

The trees match. SJ

The cab sets Lucy down and she enters the building. The, since removed, entrance gate to Crosby Hall on Cheyne Walk.

Peter replaces SJ's original comparison with this shot.

Inside the convent, a frantic Lucy tells her sister-in-law that Gino is missing. Crosby Hall on Danvers Street, Chelsea.

"The concrete steps leading up to the entrance to the medieval Great Hall as seen from Cheyne Walk, Chelsea SW3. The site on which the Great Hall sits is now named Crosby Moran Hall, named after the present owner." Graham Etchell managed to grab the once in a lifetime, or at least a few moons, opportunity while the door was open. "Up to the 1980s this was easily visible to the public from Cheyne Walk, it only had a waist high fence as seen in captures 33 & 34, but is now fully enclosed by a new build and a much higher very secure fence with only the back of the Hall in Danvers Street visible." (SJ)

Lucy makes her way to her husband's office. Passing Tiffany & Co., where Old Bond Street becomes New Bond Street.

Tiffany still there. SJ

When Gino can't be traced, Lucy phones Mrs. Hyde at home before continuing her search. Looking east on Great George Street SW1 with Parliament Square to the right. Also seen in 'Steptoe and Son', 'High Treason' and 'The Odd Job'.

October sunshine drenches this view of the same location from Peter.

In the centre stands the Winston Churchill statue in Parliament Square with Great George Street to the right.

Peter found the statue.

Lucy sees a police station ahead. New Burlington Street W1 with Regent Street in the background. A location used in 'The Alphabet Murders'.

Roadworks mar the scenery. SJ

As Sister Albana calls Dr. Finch, Lucy enters the police station. West End Central Police Station on Savile Row W1. The location also features in 'Booby Trap'.

And I turn around from New Burlington Street to find, aargh, scaffolding. SJ