Johnny Nobody

As the titles end, the film opens with an aerial view of Mónaborra. Actually it's Enniskerry in County Wicklow, Ireland.

Pat Cleary captured the view from the hill at the top of Fishers Lane overlooking the village.

The shot zooms in on the Clock Tower. Enniskerry was built as part of Powerscourt Estate to house tenants who worked the land.

Postman Tim (Jimmy O’Dea) comes into view as he makes his round. To the left stands St. Mary’s Church which lies on the Dublin Road from Enniskerry, towards Knocksink Bridge.

Alan Bourke recaptured the church.

After posting letters to one of the village shops, Tim rides across the square. Enniskerry was also used as a location for 'Country Dance', 'The Vengeance of Fu Manchu', ‘Flight of the Doves’, ‘Into the West’, ‘P.S. I Love You’, 'I See a Dark Stranger' and ‘Leap Year’.

Mark O'Neill took 'a wee excursion' to Enniskerry and captured many of the outstanding locations for us. (RL)

Singing is heard coming from O'Connor's bar. The Clock Tower was erected to commemorate the first Viscount Powerscourt.

Mark found more cars! (RL)

Tim leans his bike against the wall of O’Connor’s bar and goes inside for a drink. The Powerscourt Arms facing The Square at the junction of Main Street and Church Hill.

Hearing the call of "O'Connor's", notwithstanding the change of name, Mark and his father had to experience lunch there. (RL)

Carrying on his deliveries, Tim cycles up to the front door of retired author James Ronald Mulcahy.

After receiving a telegram from his publisher, James Ronald Mulcahy (William Bendix) walks back into the village with Tim. Looking up Church Hill from The Square.

Another from Mark showing the growth in car ownership over the years. (RL)

After throwing hard-drinking Mulcahy out of his bar for arguing with the regulars, O’Connor (Eddie Byrne) watches the street brawl that follows. In the background stands The Powerscourt Arms.

Mark captured The Powercourt Arms without a foreground character. (RL)

Mulcahy threatens the villagers as they draw closer to him. This is the shamrock shaped base of the Clock Tower in The Square at Enniskerry.

A much less threatening scene captured by Mark. (RL)

The villagers are shocked as atheist Mulcahy shouts that there is no God.

Mark avoided any reference to religion. (RL)

Summoned by Tim, Father Edward Carey (Nigel Patrick) arrives to calm the situation. The Square in Enniskerry.

Pat Cleary replaces his off angle shot from 2020.

The author strides from the square and heads to the church after more blasphemous remarks. Enniskerry in County Wicklow.

Mark found it all to be much greener as a result of considered planting. (RL)

In front of the church, when Mulcahy challenges God to strike him down a gunshot is heard and the blasphemer falls to the ground.

The little changed scene provided by Mark. (RL)

The crowd turn to see a Stranger (Aldo Ray) holding a handgun.

Mark would not have 'taken the shot' had the gunman been there! (RL)

Father Carey sets out for Dublin where the Stranger has been committed for trial. The gates to St. Mary’s Church on the Dublin Road from Enniskerry.

A very similar "now" provided by Mark. (RL)

The Priest drives to the Capital. In the background stands the Parochial House attached to St. Mary’s Church in Knocksink, Enniskerry.

Mark found that the House remains amongst lush greenery. (RL)

The Father's car passes along D’Olier Street in Dublin.

Mark o'Neill sets out to blitz Dublin Fair City for "now" shots and first finds a redeveloped corner. (RL)

The camera pans as the Austin A40 crosses the River Liffey. O’Connell Street seen from O’Connell Bridge. The street also features in 'Dead Man's Evidence', '30 is a Dangerous Age, Cynthia', 'The Quare Fellow' and 'I See a Dark Stranger'.

And Mark panned to capture the same scene today. (RL)

Father Carey arrives at Mountjoy Prison to visit the Stranger, Johnny, and questions him about a picture that he has drawn. The prison gate stands back from the North Circular Road, Dublin 7 and also appeared in 'McVicar' and, from a different angle, in 'Freedom to Die'.

A Vendor (Danny Cummins) shouts the newspaper headlines that report the trial of Johnny Nobody. Pat Cleary was certain that this scene was shot in London rather than Dublin so we handed it over to Dave W. who recognised the view as looking south-east along Belgrave Place SW1 from Belgrave Square with the corner of Eaton Place in the right distance.

Neil Kenny provides this comparison taken from outside the Spanish Embassy.

During a recess, Photographer (Bernie Winters) is told off by news reporter Mary Floyd (Yvonne Mitchell) as she catches up with Father Carey. O'Donovan Rossa Bridge in Dublin.

No one there to tell Mark off. (RL)

Mary asks questions about Dublin. O'Donovan Rossa Bridge spanning the Liffey with the Four Courts in the background. The Four Courts also appears in 'Another Shore', 'Dublin Nightmare', 'The General', 'Rooney' and 'The Quare Fellow'.

Mark finds that nothing has changed. (RL)

Next, indicating the Cathedral, Mary asks about the church across the river. The bridge links Chancery Place with Winetavern Street.

Mark finds that most people are in cars these days. (RL)

Christ Church Cathedral on Christchurch Place, Dublin 8.

Mark is hampered shooting into the light. (RL)

Father Edward Carey tells an anecdote about the bodies in the crypt of St.Michan's church. In the left background stands Father Mathew Bridge while to the right is Inns Quay.

A more colourful scene captured by Mark. (RL)

The Priest reads a newspaper report on the proceedings after Mary says goodbye. In the centre distance can be seen the tower of St. Paul's Church on Arran Quay, Dublin 7.

Father Carey next visits a fellow man of the cloth. The National University of Ireland in Maynooth, County Kildare.

An excellent autumn capture from Mark. (RL)

Brother Timothy (Noel Purcell) warmly greets his old friend.

Those trees have certainly grown in the intervening years. Another from Mark. (RL)

After seeking advice from the Abbot, Father Carey returns home. The Square, Enniskerry in County Wicklow.

Mark's johno009n covers this capture as well. (RL)

Whilst putting up posters Postman Tim pauses to talk with Father Carey. Church Hill heads off in the background.

The same corner captured by Pat Cleary.

When he receives a mysterious letter, Father Carey travels to the story’s Inishgashel racecourse. Peter Brown was sure he recognised this as Punchestown racecourse, some 25 miles from Dublin but with changes made over the years could not be sure. However, the Racecourse Manager confirmed to him that it was indeed Punchestown. On behalf of Reel Streets we thank the Manager and Staff for their co-operation and confirmation. (RL)

Following a narrow escape from serious injury at the racecourse, Edward Carey heads for the village of Inishgashel.

The Priest comes across a roadside chapel and cemetery. St. Patrick's church at Kilquade in County Wicklow identified by Dervla Cotter.

Pat Cleary revisited the location.

Getting out of the car, Father Carey notices something. Outside St. Patrick's church at Kilquade located by Dervla Cotter.

This matching comparison was taken by Pat.

Intrigued, the Father walks towards an image, the same one that Johnny Nobody had drawn. Dervla Cotter advises that this is facing the gateway to St. Patrick's church at Kilquade, County Wicklow.

Pat Cleary captured the same view now.

After driving into a bog, Father Carey is given a lift to the Big House in Kilgregory by Miss Floyd, who just happened to be driving by. The house also appears in 'The Next Man' and has been found by Pat Cleary . . . . click on the dated tab.

This is Marlay House, Marlay Park in Rathfarnham, Dublin, a very popular location for films and television for a great many years. At the time of shooting it was privately owned but it was bought by the council in 1972 and developed as a public park." Pat also provided this comparison. (SJ)

Discovering that Mary Floyd is Johnny's wife and it was she that wrote the mysterious letters, Father Carey leaves the house, taking her car.

"There are now 6 steps up to the door instead of 5," notes Pat.

The Priest is arrested for stealing the car after Mary Floyd calls the police. Pat Cleary discovered Barrack Road at Glencullen in County Dublin, just down from the crossroads at "Johnnie Fox's" legendary pub that dates from 1798.

Locals informed Pat that the white bungalow along the road used to be the local dispensary.

Father Carey is escorted into the small police station. Barrack Road, Glencullen identified by Pat Cleary who adds that a chase scene from 'Jules Verne's Rocket to the Moon' was also shot along this road.

The location now captured by Pat.

Offices rush outside after Father Carey seizes an opportunity to escape. Located by Pat Cleary, this is Barrack Road at Glencullen, County Dublin.

The trees prevented Pat from taking the correct angle so he took a wider view of the house.

Fields at the back of the police station are scanned.

Rising from behind a stone wall, Father Carey disappears through the trees.

Door to door enquiries are made. Pat Cleary tells us that this is the entrance to the real life Garda Station in Enniskerry, County Wicklow. The building also appears in 'No Resting Place'.

Pat proves the location with this shot.

When the alarm is raised, Gardaí begin their search of the surrounding area.

The Father stops when he sees a car approach the bridge that he’s about to cross. Pat Cleary identifies this as Waterfall Bridge over the Dargle River close to the entrance gates of Powerscourt Waterfall in County Wicklow.

A police car passes over the bridge just as the fugitive climbs over the parapet. Pat Cleary found Waterfall Bridge over the Dargle River.

Pat found much change here. The original bridge dating from around 1850 was rebuilt in 1990 and after 61 years the view of the steep descending road is obscured by foliage.

Father Carey is led away along the riverbed after coming across a Tinker (Joe Lynch) beneath the bridge. Waterfall Bridge over the Dargle River near the Powerscourt Estate in County Wicklow located by Pat Cleary.

A Police Officer chases after the train that Father Carey has managed to board. Pat Cleary identifies this as Lehaunstown Lane crossing at Laughanstown adding "The railway scenes were shot on the closed, former double track Dublin Harcourt Street to Bray line which had closed on 31st December 1958. Most of the Up Line had already been lifted so the train appears on the "wrong" track."

In Pat's shot, the Luas Green Line goes down under Aoibhin's Way, a new road out of shot to the right, before swinging left. This green field site is currently being developed into Cherrywood Village, a new urban district.

With the Priest aboard, the train continues on for Dublin. Pat Cleary explains that insert shots were filmed on the other route between Dublin and Bray that runs along the coast via Dun Laoghaire with several different locomotives and rolling stock rakes appearing and this view is taken from under Rathsallagh Bridge on Corbawn Lane in Shankill, County Dublin.

Shankill station was opened in 1977 and, as there's no access at track level, Pat moved onto the bridge for this comparison in which it can be seen that the private house to the right has since been extended and modernised.

As the trial recommences in Dublin, the train pulls into a station some miles from its destination. The running in board at Carrickmines railway station, in County Dublin at the time of filming.

Mark wonders what was wrong with the original sign. (RL)

The locomotive brings the train into Carrickmines station. Pat Cleary continues that the line's closure was part of an exercise similar to the Beeching closures in the UK. "I was on the packed last train. Crowds were gathered at the stations along the way and fog signal explosions were heard as the train progressed." Manuel Gurtner draws out attention to the A class Co-Co loco, one of 60 diesel-electric engines built in 1955/56 by Metropolitan Vickers at Manchester for the Córas Iompair Éireann (Irish Transport Company), delivered in a striking new silver livery.

Mark couldn't wait for the next train. (RL)

Father Carey leaves the train to make a phone call. Carrickmines has been included in the county of Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown since 1994.

As he reaches road level, a police car screeches to a halt at the station entrance. Facing Glenamuck Road North in Carrickmines, Dublin 18.

This is the best angle Mark could achieve as the footbridge has long gone. (RL)

Father Carey runs down onto the other platform. The former Up Platform at Carrickmines station on the route between Bray and Dublin Harcourt Street.

Mark advises that the platforms are now located further south of the original train station. (RL)

Realising that the departing train is his only escape, Father Carey climbs back on. Carrickmines station closed on 1st January 1959 but reopened in 2010 as a stop on the Green Line of Dublin’s Luas system.

Oh for things as there were Mark. (RL)

Dublin’s Westland Row station on Westland Row to the south of the River Liffey.

With a reduced number of platforms and a new roof, this is the station as it appears now. (PW)

Now exposed as Mrs. Wheeler, Johnny's wife waits on the platform as the train terminates.

Avoiding detection, Father Carey picks up a crate to hide his face. Westland Row station was renamed Dublin Pearse in 1966.

Electrification masts steals the scene. (PW)

While watching a Priest being questioned by the police, Mrs. Wheeler spots Father Carey. Westland Row station, Dublin 2.

Facing westward on what is now platform 1. (PW)

The Father makes it past a Railway Porter buying a newspaper before running from the station. Westland Row station with properties on Boyne Street in the background.

Pearse station was also seen in ‘Angela’s Ashes’, 'Term of Trial', 'Michael Collins’, 'Ulysses' and ‘Nora’.

A car approaches as Father Carey runs down the narrow alley leading from the station. This ramp runs up from Sandwith Street Upper on the south side of Westland Row station.

A locked gate denied Mark access so he and we have to be satisfied with the best achievable shot. (RL)

Dodging the car, the Priest continues down to the roadway. The ramp next to Devlin’s Place off Sandwith Street Upper and, to the left, the courtyard off Boyne Street which was seen in 'The Commitments'.

Mark took this through the bars of a locked gate. We would never have known! (RL)

On the main road, Father Carey gets into a waiting taxi. This is Upper Sandwith Street, below the bridge carrying the railway into Westland Row station from the south.

Mark found that cars still wait below the bridge. (RL)

The taxi pulls away to head for the Central Criminal Court. Upper Sandwith Street with the railway bridge crossing the scene.

Mark wondered how that block would be developed. (RL)

The shot pans with the vehicle as it gathers speed. Boyne Street from the corner of Sandwith Street Upper in Dublin 2.

Neither we nor Mark expected things to be the same. (RL)

Winetavern Street with High Street beyond the bridge linking Christ Church Cathedral with the former Synod Hall. The street is also featured in 'Dublin Nightmare' and 'The Big Gamble'.

Mark visits the same place. (RL)

The taxi rushes through the city. Cook Street in Dublin 8 seen from the corner of Winetavern Street with St Audeon's church to the top left.

Has the direction of travel changed Mark? (RL)

Looking across the Liffey from Inns Quay to Merchant’s Quay on the far bank.

As it is today from Mark. (RL)

The taxi comes to a stand outside the courthouse. Inns Quay in Dublin 1.

Mark photographs against "the flow". (RL)