It’s Not Cricket
Date: 1949
Director: Roy Rich and Alfred Roome
Production Company: Gainsborough Pictures
Stars: Basil Radford, Naunton Wayne, Susan Shaw, Maurice Denham, Alan Wheatley, Nigel Buchanan
Location(s): Hertfordshire, Kent, London
Region(s): London H-L, South East E-L
Storyline:
When they’re kicked out of Army Intelligence, a pair of incompetent officers set themselves up as private detectives before becoming involved with an escaping war criminal.
Additional Information:
Screen captures uploaded by Phil Wilkinson
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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.
- Capture 1
- 'Now' required
In post-war West Germany, an Army Motorcyclist nears his destination.
- Capture 2
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The Motorcyclist arrives at Intelligence Headquarters.
- Capture 3
- 'Now' required
A Batman (Leslie Dwyer) on his way to accompany Major Bright and Captain Early is attacked by Otto Fisch. Rather than the expense of travelling to Germany for filming, could this be bomb damaged London? It looks as though, the background property looks very much like the last remaining property in Jewin Crescent, London EC2 seen in 'The Weapon', 'The Key Man' and ' It Happened Here'. (RL)
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required
With Fisch having taken the place of their Batman, Bright and Early travel by boat-train to the coast.
- Capture 5
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The cross-channel ferry sails, taking the pair homeward from Calais.
- Capture 6
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Arriving in England, the two Officers join the boat-train for London.
- Capture 7
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Having seen Bright and Early’s Batman board the boat-train, Brigadier Falcon (Edward Lexy) recognises him as Fisch when he sees his picture in a newspaper.
- Capture 8
- 'Now' required
The Brigadier alerts the guards and the train bound for London is searched. The coach is Continental Stock which was built by the SECR and the Southern Railway to a design dating from 1921. The vehicles originally featured inward opening doors and some lasted into the 1960s.
- Capture 9
- 'Now' required
Otto Fisch (Maurice Denham) gets off the train and makes his way to the ticket barrier. Don’t be fooled by the name-board in the background, this isn’t Folkestone Harbour.
- Capture 10
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Looking to find an alternate means of travelling to London, Fisch leaves the station.
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
An Orderley (John Warren) directs Major J.J. Bright (Basil Radford) and Captain D.H. Early (Naunton Wayne) to the demobilisation centre.
- Capture 12
- 14 Jun 2017
An establishing shot brings the film to London. The Valiant Trooper public house at 18 Goodge Street W1.
Peter took this shot of the pub sporting it's current name.
- Capture 13
- 14 Jun 2017
Pondering what to do in civilian life, the two cashiered Officers walk the streets. The Valiant Trooper, currently known as The Fitzrovia.
The establishment has seen several refurbishments. Image by Peter.
- Capture 14
- 14 Jun 2017
Going into the pub for a drink, the pair eventually decide to set up a high class private detective agency. The Valiant Trooper on the corner of Goodge Street and Whitfield Street in W1.
Peter provides this view of the present entrance arrangement.
- Capture 15
- 13 Aug 2017
Having made it to the Capital, Fisch makes sure the coast is clear before entering a telephone box. Facing west on Grosvenor Road in Pimlico, just outside The White Elephant on the River restaurant which is seen in ‘Four in the Morning’.
The buildings to the right have all been rebuilt, as Peter's comparison shows.
- Capture 16
- 13 Aug 2017
The wanted war criminal calls his contact Felix. Grosvenor Road in SW1 with Battersea Power Station across the Thames on the left.
Peter captures the same Mark K2 phone box, along with the ever changing background.
- Capture 17
- 'Now' required
At the studio, Fisch enters the sports shop where Felix works.
- Capture 18
- 23 Aug 2017
Secretary Primrose Brown is driven to the offices of her new employers, Bright and Early. Peter advises that this is the Senate House on Malet Street in London WC1. The imposing structure is also seen in 'Last Night in Soho', 'Cheer Boys Cheer', 'Their Finest', ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’ and ‘Its Not Cricket’.
Peter provides this comparison shot of the building.
- Capture 19
- 'Now' required
Gerald Lawson (Nigel Buchanan) and Primrose Brown (Susan Shaw) get out of the car and enter the building where the former Officer recognises his former comrades. Peter recognised the Senate House, administrative centre of the University of London in Bloomsbury.
- Capture 20
- 23 Jun 2017
Meeting with their first client, Bright and Early take a cab to The Dorchester Hotel. The junction of Park Lane and Deanery Street in W1. More of the hotel can be seen in other productions including 'This Happy Breed', 'Carry On Regardless', 'Easy Money', 'Glad Tidings', 'The Optimists of Nine Elms', 'The Iron Maiden', 'Cloak Without Dagger', 'Expresso Bongo' and 'Strange Bedfellows'.
Peter had a problem with a tree......and the tree won. (RL)
- Capture 21
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Having been invited for the weekend, Gerald takes Primrose, Bright and Early to his parents house in the country. The gates to Wrotham Park to the south of Potters Bar in Hertfordshire located by Steve Randall.
- Capture 22
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The car is brought to a stand outside the stately home where Howard, the Lawson's Butler, meets the party. Identified by Steve Randall, this is Wrotham Park in the parish of South Mimms.
- Capture 23
- 'Now' required
Gerald and his guests make their way into the house. The entrance to the Grade II* Wrotham Park in Hertfordshire found by Steve Randall.
- Capture 24
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Felix (Alan Wheatley) watches Fisch fall into the road as he attempts to get into their car that has been stolen.
- Capture 25
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A Man chases after the two crooks when they steal his car to continue their journey to the film's Leatherham Park.
- Capture 26
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J.J. Bright and D.H. Early finally get to play cricket.
- Capture 27
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When Fisch turns up in disguise, the film’s finale chase ensues.