Innocent Meeting

Bells chime four as Johnny Brent (Sean Lynch) runs into view along the story's Hammersmith Road. Kinnaird Street in London W2 with buildings at the corner of Westbourne Terrace and Blomfield Villas to the right.

Steve provides a shot of the location as it is now. (RL)

The armed tearaway enters a grocery shop intent on robbery. Kinnaird Street in Paddington. The area has been completely redeveloped.

Steve proves the point that the 'area has been completely redeveloped.' (RL)

After firing at the Shopkeeper, Johnny runs from the premises. In the left background stands Bayswater Synagogue on Chichester Place which also makes an appearance in 'The Naked Runner', ‘Never Let Go’ and 'The Comedy Man'.

Stephen David captured the scene just over 64 years later.

When the crime is reported, Police Officers are dispatched to the scene of the shooting as the titles begin. Dave W's 'rule of thumb' is "that all films set in the Paddington / Harrow Road areas must include a shot of Porchester Hall." It certainly worked for him this time, looking south along Porchester Road, W2 with Porchester Square off to the left. We are left to wonder when the property on the left lost that balcony. (RL)

The balcony remains absent. SJ

This is Senior Street seen from the junction with Lord Hill’s Road.

Originally taken by SJ whilst on a recce in 2011 for 'The Blue Lamp'.

With their bells ringing, squad cars rush in all directions. Lord Hill’s Road with the corner of Clarendon Crescent to the left and the bridge over the Grand Union Canal in the right background. An almost identical view was seen in ‘The Blue Lamp’ and the building was also seen in 'Count Five and Die'.

A clearer view across to the properties on Blomfield Road is witnessed by this shot from Steve David. (RL)

An extraordinary amount of stopping, starting and manoeuvring seems to take place as the credits continue. The corner of Delamere Terrace and Lord Hill’s Road.

Stephen sends a shot of the same location now, maybe the curve in the road remains the same. (RL)

The junction of Cirencester Street and Clarendon Crescent with St. Mary Magdalene’s church to the right.

Another shot from Stephen witnessing the changes in time. (RL)

Another police car approaches the camera. Facing westward along Clarendon Crescent in W2 with St. Mary Magdalene’s church on the left.

Stephen David sends us this shot of the same location, now very much greener. (RL)

With the titles over, two Officers arrive at the shop to question the Proprietor. Kinnaird Street in Paddington.

Now unrecognisable in Stephen David's comparison.

After a description of the miscreant is radioed in, police cars set out to search for Johnny. Correcting a previous identification, Dave W advises that this is the rear of Rochester Row police station, Vincent Square, London SW1. Also seen in 'Make Mine Mink' and 'The Great Van Robbery'. (RL)

Whilst of necessity, taken at ground level, the changes are evident. (RL)

Here we go again . . . . Following on from Dave's identification of the following capture and continuity this is Vincent Square, London SW1 looking south. Also seen in 'The Great Van Robbery'. (RL)

Another from ground level, that again, reveals the changes that have occurred. (RL)

The music swells as Metropolitan Police Wolseleys speed from stations throughout the city. Correcting a previous identification, Dave W advises that this is the rear of Rochester Row police station, Vincent Square, London SW1. Also seen in 'Make Mine Mink' and 'The Great Van Robbery'. (RL)

One is left to wonder where they park their cars now. (RL)

More bells accompany more police cars along more roads. Correcting a previous identification Dave W provides us with Vincent Square, London SW1 looking north with Vane Street entering from the left. Also seen in 'Make Mine Mink' and 'The Great Van Robbery'. (RL)

For once it was reasonably safe to stand in the road. (RL)

Officers swarm onto the streets. Muswell Hill Police Station, Fortis Green in London N2.

Substantially less activity now the station has been converted to apartments. (RL)

The camera moves with the men as they get into their cars. Outside Muswell Hill police station on at the corner of Fortis Green and Fortis Green Avenue.

All remains very much the same on the opposite side of the road. (RL)

Cut to the cars pulling away. Muswell Hill Police Station, Fortis Green N2. This, along with much more of the footage taken in this area, is also seen in 'Make Mine Mink'.

The blue lamp has gone and the "cop shop" is now, not surprisingly, called "Peel Mansions". (RL)

The shot pans to see the vehicles speed from view. Looking east on Fortis Green.

Was that scaffolding erected especially for the RS shot? (RL)

Fleeing from capture, Johnny runs along the middle of the street. Ray Glenister has resolved this long oustanding location to tell us that this is Tavistock Crescent, London W11 looking east from circa St. Luke's Road. (RL)

The curve of the crescent is maintained in Stephen David's view.

A police car turns into the road ahead. Looking across Chichester Road to the corner of Delamere Street from the corner of Westbourne Square.

The corner now by Stephen David.

In a doorway, Johnny hides behind a column as the car passes. Following on from capture19 this is the view from the porch of either 33 or 31 Tavistock Crescent looking east toward Great Western Road and the Westbourne Goods Yards complex as identified by Ray. (RL)

Confirmed by Stephen David.

Motorcycle cops are sent to join the pursuit. The road sign reads Police Station Lane and this is the Police Station at the corner with Sparrows Herne in Bushey, Hertfordshire. (PW)

Very little change since being made into apartments. (RL)

The fugitive nears a corner as he continues his flight. Here, says Ray, we have Johnny in St. Lukes Road, nears the northern corner of Tavistock Crescent.

The same corner captured by Stephen David.

A police car approaches the same junction. Yes indeed Ray confirms, the Police car, coming from the west of Tavistock Crescent, is at the same intersection as capture 23. The corner can also be seen in 'The L-Shaped Room'. (RL)

Stephen David returned to the scene.

With the law close behind, Johnny runs up the steps onto a bridge. Looking towards in Tavistock Crescent W11 from the bridge over the Hammersmith & City line.

The modern replacement by Stephen David.

Officers get out of the car and follow Johnny on foot. The bridge crosses the Hammersmith & City line to the west of Westbourne Park station and appears in many productions including 'Burning an Illusion', 'Duffer', 'Col cuore in gola' and 'The 14'.

From bridge level, by Richard Bennett.

The steps from the bridge lead down to the corner of Acklam Road and St. Ervan’s Road in W10.

The replacement bridge following the building of the Westway. (RL)

The chase continues across waste ground. Looking from the corner of Chichester Road and Westbourne Terrace across the razed Westbourne Square with the rear of properties on Westbourne Park Crescent in the left distance. Other views of Westbourne Square and the surrounding streets can be seen in 'Monsieur Ripois', 'A Woman's Temptation', 'The Battleaxe' and 'The Wrong Arm of the Law'.

Stephen David brings us up to date.

The shot follows Johnny onto Westbourne Terrace.

Car 26 closes in on the crook as he enters a building on fictional Radlett Street. Looking north along Chichester Road with the tower of St. Saviour’s church on Warwick Avenue in the distance.

The Sergeant and PC follow Johnny into the property where he lives. Westbourne Terrace at the junction with Chichester Road a building on Delamere Street visible to the top left.

Yes . . . . two more cars! And Yes, the same footage resolved by Dave W in 'The Great Van Robbery', this is the vehicle entrance in Fortis Green Avenue to the Muswell Hill Police Station, Fortis Green, N2 (RL)

The camera follows the vehicles in a sequence that also appears in 'A Woman's Temptation' and 'The Great Van Robbery', also released in 1959 and Dave says, into Fortis Green Avenue, with Annington Road going off to the right. (RL)

A car approaches the lodging house conveying high ranking Policeman. The corner of Chichester Road and Delamere Street with the east end of Delamere Crescent in the centre background.

As the same location is now from Steve. (RL)

Superintendent Fry (Arnold Bell) arrives with Detective Sergeant Winter and Inspector Martin are met by a uniformed Sergeant. Westbourne Terrace in Paddington W2.

The Sergeant indicates the window of the room in fictional Radlett House, Bayswater where Johnny has taken refuge. Looking up at 199 Westbourne Terrace at the corner of Chichester Road.

Superintendent Fry and his men enter the building where Detective Macey is waiting. Westbourne Terrace with the junction of Chichester Road and Westbourne Square to the extreme left.

As tear gas is ordered by the Superintendent, Johnny reflects on the circumstances that brought him into this situation . . . beginning with his release on probation after committing a petty crime.

Johnny heads for a record shop where he meets Connie Phillips for the first time. Fortis Green Road in Muswell Hill, London N10. Kai advises that the record shop at number 29 was Les Aldridge Music which moved across the road to number 98 in the late 60s to early 70s. Unfortunately, the business closed in 2023. Kai adds that the interior shots weren't filmed in the shop itself which was actually quite small inside.

Overall, the majority of the shop fronts remain as they were. (RL)

After saving Connie Phillips from embarrassment when beatnicks make fun of her taste in music, Johnnie helps to carry her shopping. Fortis Green Road, Muswell Hill.

I could have achieved the correct shot had there been a sports car parked. (RL)

Johnny places the boxes and and bags onto the back seat of Connie's car before getting in beside her. Looking north-west on Fortis Green Road in N10.

To substantiate my claim with regard to parking preventing me achieving the correct angle. (RL)

Connie drives Johnnie back to the house where she lives with her father. Fortis Green Road in Muswell Hill N10 with St James' Church in the right background.

From ground level, Peter fights with vehicles for a decent shot.

That evening, Johnnie and Connie go out together. Facing south on Rupert Street W1 with the Prince of Wales Theatre at the corner of Coventry Street and Oxendon Street.

The same corner by Peter.

Johnny takes Connie home after a concert and the two agree to meet again. As Jules Ballantyne said she had a 'Moment of Indiscretion' (in which it is also seen) to recognise 7 Wadham Gardens, London NW3. It looks suspiciously like the same footage as well. (RL)

I agree about the same footage: this ground shot however is just a tiny bit to the left of my shot for capture 9 of Moment of Indiscretion the latter showing more of the doorway. SJ

After meeting Connie's father Harold, Johnny is given a job the family textile business. Clarendon Road, Watford with the New Congregational Church in the right distance.

Over the months, Johnny settles into work as a designer. Clarendon Road in Watford, Hertfordshire. The building can also be seen in 'Compelled', 'The Great Van Robbery' and 'Sentenced for Life'.

One day, a Morris Traveller pulls onto the car park at Phillips Textiles. Looking onto Clarendon Road.

Called in by Harold Phillips, Sergeant Field gets out of the car and enters the building. This was number 46 Clarendon Road.

When Johnny storms from the office after being accused of stealing his boss's wallet Connie follows in her car. St. John’s Road seen from the junction with Clarendon Road.

Connie spots her boyfriend along the street. Looking south on Clarendon Road.

Pulling alongside, Connie persuades Johnny to get into the car. Facing north on Clarendon Road with the corner of St. John’s Road to the right of centre.

With no hope of raising money to elope and marry Connie, Johnny reverts back to his old ways. The since demolished New Congregational Church on Clarendon Road, Watford in Hertfordshire.

The camera follows Johnny as he crosses the road. The junction of Clarendon Road and St. John’s Road in Watford.

Johnny returns to the café where he seeks help from his former criminal friends.

Back in the present, Turner from the Clarion draws up outside Radlett House. Facing south-east on Westbourne Terrace with Blomfield Crescent and Harrow Road in the distance.

Steve once again reveals the complete change that has occurred in the area. (RL)

After Harold's wallet is discovered, he and Connie head to Bayswater after hearing about Johnny on the radio. The Phillips seem to have moved during the course of the film.

The camera follows the car . . . . which looks suspiciously like the one that the Journalist was driving.

Harold and his daughter race to save Johnny as tear gas is deployed at Radlett House.

Another pan follows Harold and Connie as they continue towards Bayswater.

When the gas fails to work, police rifleman Stannard is sent onto the roof of a house across the street.