I Thank a Fool

Date: 1962
Director: Robert Stephens
Production Company: Eaton Productions

Stars: Susan Hayward, Athene Seyler, Diane Cilento, Peter Finch, Kieron Moore, J.G. Devlin
Location(s): County Cork, Lancashire, Cheshire, London, Hertfordshire, Surrey

Region(s): , , ,

Storyline:

A doctor convicted of mercy-killing her terminally ill lover is hired by the prosecutor who convicted her.

Additional Information:

Page compiled by Steve Randall

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If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.

We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.

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News has broken that Dr. Christine Allison has been convicted of manslaughter for the mercy-killing of her lover. Lime Street, Liverpool, with St.George's Hall in the background.

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Christine (Susan Hayward) is bundled into a Black Maria. Unidentified location.

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The Black Maria leaves for the prison. This has the look of arches on the Great Howard Street viaduct in Liverpool, but remains unidentified.

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The vehicle approaches the prison, crossing Camden Road N7.

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Christine arrives at HM Prison Holloway to start her sentence. Also seen in 'The Malpas Mystery', 'The Return of the Frog', 'The Flesh is Weak', 'The Great St. Trinian's Train Robbery' and 'Stolen Face'. The prison closed in 2016.

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18 months later Christine walks free from prison, having served her sentence. Holloway Park, a large collection of apartments, is currently being built on the site of the prison.

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Christine walks down the street. Unidentified location.

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  • 08 Feb 2026

Christine visits the Ministry of Labour Employment Exchange. 27 Leece Street, Liverpool.

The comparison shot is from Nial Browne who adds "This is 27 Leece St Liverpool which used to be the Employment Exchange or the 'Dole Office' as it was known. Unfortunately, the old stone building is long gone and has recently been replaced with the modern building shown which is a Co-Op on the ground floor and flats above."

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  • 08 Feb 2026

The camera tilts down to see Christine leaving. Leece Street.

Nial Browne captures 27 Leese Street as it is today.

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  • 08 Feb 2026

Christine sets off to look for a job. Leece Street, looking east towards Bold Street.

From Nial Browne. "This is Leece St in Liverpool looking towards Bold St. St Lukes (The 'Bombed Out') Church is on the left, out of view. The white buildings in the centre of the shot are at the top of Bold St, crossing Berry St and Renshaw St and are the same buildings from the original capture."

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Christine has suffered her first rejection. Unidentified location.

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After more rejections, Christine walks along a set of steps. These are the steps of St Luke's 'Bombed Out' Church in Berry Street.

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Further rejections follow as Christine heads to her digs. Unidentified location.

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Getting a phone call from a woman who claims to know all about her, Christine travel to meet him by bus. The junction of Canada Boulevard and Brunswick Street, Liverpool, Lancashire.

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The camera pans with Christine as she heads towards the River Mersey.

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A woman introducing herself as "Aunt Heather" (Athene Seyler) stands up to greet Christine, saying that her nephew is anxious to meet her.

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Christine gets into Aunt Heather's car. George's Pier Head, with the equestrian statue of Edward VII in the background .

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Now facing east on William Brown Street, with Wellington's Column on the left.

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Facing west on Water Street, with the Town Hall on the left.

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Aunt Heather makes a sudden stop at a zebra crossing. Berry Street facing north at the junction with Bold Street.

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Christine endures Aunt Heather's terrible driving as she winds her way through Liverpool traffic. The corner of Commutation Row and London Road.

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Emerging into the countryside Christine reaches her destination. Unidentified location.

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They drive past outbuildings...

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...and pull up at the front door. Inside she finds Aunt Heather's nephew is the prosecutor who put her away. He offers her a job looking after his mentally ill wife.

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The prosecutor Stephen Dane (Peter Finch) rushes to his car which his wife Liane is about to drive away.

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Aunt Heather watches as Christine walks Liane (Diane Cilento) back to the house.

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Christine goes out riding with Liane and stablehand Roscoe (Kieron Moore).

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On another day, Liane looks out over the bay to the lights of a fairground.

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Liane sneaks off to the fair. New Brighton, Wallasey, Cheshire.

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Sensing the danger of Liane venturing off, Christine tracks her down at the funfair but cannot catch up with her. New Brighton.

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The view from the top of the Ferris Wheel. New Brighton.

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Liane is taken to a race meeting. The entrance to Kempton Park Racecourse, Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey.

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The finishing straight. Kempton Park Racecourse.

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Crossing the finishing line. Kempton Park.

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  • 21 Jan 2026

Without informing Stephen, Christine sets off with Liane to visit her father in Ireland. Shenley Road, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.

64 years on.

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They reach the ferry teminal. The ship is the TSS Manxman which ran from 1955-1982 between Liverpool and Douglas. The Isle of Man ferry terminal at Liverpool, with the Pacific Road Ventilation Station just visible at top right.

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Christine and Liane arrive in Ireland at daybreak. Unidentified location.

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They drive down a winding lane.

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Panning right from the previous shot.

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The sign says Caragh, but this is approaching Galley Cove Beach, on the eastern side of the Mizen Head Peninsula in West Cork.

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Christine and Liane arrive at the film's Caragh. They drive past Nottage's Hotel, Crookhaven, County Cork.

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Looking southwest in Crookhaven with the small harbour on the right.

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Liane is excited to see the old grocer's shop. This building no longer stands, but is remembered by Phillippa from the Crookhaven Village Association as a lovely pub overlooking the harbour. It is now replaced by Les Mouettes apartments.

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Christine drives off with Liane to visit her father. Crookhaven harbour.

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Christine drives up into the hills passing Galley Cove Beach.

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Climbing Ballynaule on the route to Brow Head.

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Behind Christine's car lies the Mizen peninsula.

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Christine and Liane disembark at Brow Head, County Cork.

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Liane runs excitedly to her father's house, only to find him drunk and dishevelled inside. The Brow Head Signal Tower.

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Stephen arrives at the house having guessed Christine and Liane's plans, and Liane flees from the house.

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Liane strays too close to the edge and falls. While recuperating she dies of an overdose of sedatives. Brow Head.

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Liane's funeral procession heads up the road to the church. Crookhaven Road.

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Stephen pays his respects at the graveside. St Brendan the Navigator’s Church, Crookhaven.

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At the church Stephen is questioned by the coroner (J.G. Devlin). There follows an intense piece of courtroom drama at the inquest and the mystery of Liane's death is resolved.

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After all has been settled, Stephen asks Christine for a lift. Crookhaven Harbour.

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Stephen and Christine drive off together. Crookhaven Road.

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The drive takes them between Irish lakes.