Invasion Quartet

Date: 1961
Director: Jay Lewis
Production Company: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer British Studios

Stars: Bill Travers, Spike Milligan, Grégoire Aslan, John Le Mesurier
Location(s): Hertfordshire, Suffolk

Region(s):

Storyline:

Patients from a military hospital head abroad to silence an annoying enemy gun.

Additional Information:

Screen captures uploaded by Phil Wilkinson

 

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  • Capture 1
  • 24 Jul 2017

Somewhere near Dover during 1942, the patients of a military hospital enjoy a game of cricket. Actually nowhere near Dover advises Geoff Dodd, this is Aldenham House, now Haberdashers' Aske's School in Elstree, Hertfordshire.

With thanks to the school for allowing this and other shots to be taken. (RL)

  • Capture 2
  • 24 Jul 2017

Spectators watch as, across the English Channel, the enemy fires 'Big Herman', a huge gun aimed at the south coast. Aldenham House, now Haberdashers' Aske's School, on Butterfly Lane, Elstree located by Geoff Dodd.

With much less activity when Geoff visited. (RL)

  • Capture 3
  • 11 Jul 2019
Fore Street in Old Hatfield looking towards Park Street: Circa 1961

In town, the peace is broken by the sound of an approaching missile. Fore Street in Old Hatfield, Hertfordshire looking towards Park Street. The street also features in 'Isn't Life Wonderful'.

Fore Street in Old Hatfield, Hertfordshire looking towards Park Street:

Geoff Dodd provides not only the location but the "now" shot as well.......spot on! (RL)

  • Capture 4
  • 'Now' required

As he visits his outhouse, the regular routine of a Gent (Sydney Arnold) is annoyingly disturbed.

  • Capture 5
  • 24 Jul 2017

Patients of the hospital run for cover as the missile nears it's target. Aldenham House in Elstree, Hertfordshire identified by Geoff.

A further capture of Haberdashers' Aske's School to the south of Radlett in Hertfordshire by Geoff. (RL)

  • Capture 6
  • 24 Jul 2017

Matron (Thelma Ruby) stands by as Dr. Barker (Maurice Denham) comforts Lieutenant Godfrey Pringle (Spike Milligan) after the cricket pitch is destroyed by the explosion.

Haberdashers' Aske's School, with more abundant greenery captured Geoff. (RL)

  • Capture 7
  • 24 Jul 2017

Major Freddie Oppenheimer (Bill Travers) appears after Major Pierre Debrie (Grégoire Aslan) has been searching for him in the crater. Aldenham House near Elstree identified by Geoff.

No foreground distraction at Haberdashers' Aske's School during Geoff's visit. (RL)

  • Capture 8
  • 'Now' required

The Colonel (John Le Mesurier) of the Kent Home Guard visits a farm devastated by another missile.

  • Capture 9
  • 24 Jul 2017

Casualties from the farm are brought to the hospital - chickens for cooking! Aldenham House also features in 'Kill or Cure', 'Master Spy', 'Crimes at the Dark House', 'The Trials of Oscar Wilde', 'It's in the Air' and 'Village of the Damned'.

Geoff witnesses a change in the parking angle. (RL)

  • Capture 10
  • 06 Feb 2023

When they decide to take action to destroy 'Big Herman', the Colonel, Major Oppenheimer, Pringle and Debrie head for France. David Gibson was there when filming took place and identifies this as a view from the Felixstowe Ferry Landing across the stretch of water known as Woodbridge Haven on the River Deben, looking towards Bawdsey Quay in Suffolk.

David returned to the location to take this view across the Deben.

  • Capture 11
  • 'Now' required

The small boat approaches the French coast. The River Deben, with the Ramsholt Arms public house and the quay at Ramsholt in Suffolk in the background, found by David Gibson who adds that the location can also be seen in 'Yesterday'.

  • Capture 12
  • 'Now' required

The invasion quartet stop off at a cafe whilst they wait for a bus to take them towards the gun. A studio set included for completeness.