K

Date: 1954
Director: Lorenza Mazzetti
Production Company: Slade School of Fine Arts

Stars: Michael Andrews, Claude Rogers, Mary Rava, Hilary Morris, Jacon Lowensberg, Walter Bloor
Location(s): London

Region(s):

Storyline:

An interpretation of Franz Kafka’s ‘The Metamorphosis’ in which a young man wakes up one morning to discover that he cannot move his body.

Additional Information:

Page compiled by Phil Wilkinson

Also known as ‘K (Metamorphosis)’

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On the top deck of a tram, Gregor Samsa travels towards town. Dave W identifies this as the Old Kent Road, London SE1 looking south-east from the vicinity of number 130. (RL)

Taken from street level by Keith Prested, this is Old Kent Road looking south-east with number 130 out of sight to the right.

Carrying his samples case, Gregor Samsa (Michael Andrews) alights from the tram. Dave W found that a few frames away had all the detail that he needed to identify the scene as opposite 'The Star and Garter' public house, corner of New Cross Road and Willshaw Street SE14. (RL)

Keith Prested found that the Star & Garter still exists although appears to be permanently closed. The modern buildings of Addey & Stanhope School stand on the far side of the corner.

The young salesman makes his way through a busy market. Looking south along Rupert Street W1 with the entrance canopy of the Globe Theatre to top the left and the Prince of Wales Theatre at the corner of Coventry Street and Oxendon Street SW1 in the distance.

The market seems to have been moved on. PW

  • 'Now' required

In the office of his Boss (Jacob Lowensberg), Samsa explains why he is late and explains his latest work in expectation of satisfaction. On the wall opposite, the letters T HOLLAND . . . N can be made out as the camera moves around the office. Richard Lovejoy discovered that there was a Thos. Holland & Sons Ltd, Bespoke Surgical Bootmakers at 69 Dean Street on the corner of Meard Street.

Samsa follows his Boss from the office. Hopkins Street W1 with Peter Street in the left distance and the still extant bollard at the corner of Ingestre Place.

The lorry seen in a later comparison forces a closer view. PW

Clutching his cases, the salesman continues talking as he keeps up with his employer. The corner of Hopkins Street and Ingestre Place in Soho with Ingestre Buildings in the right background.

The leaning bollard remains in place. PW

The wall of the Pulteney L.C.C. Schools on Hopkins Street.

Same wall, same gateway. PW

Facing west on Peter Street W1 with Lexington Street Garage as the background. The blackout to the right appears to be vans and the backs of market stalls.

The Lex Garage survives. PW

The Boss listens as Samsa outlines what he has discovered while carrying out his job. The east side of Hopkins Street with the wall being that of the car park where St. Luke's church once stood. To the right is number 2 which is obscuring Maidenhead Passage which can be seen in 'Soho Incident'.

Perhaps double yellow lines mean something else on this street! PW

As the pair walk on, the one sided conversation continues. Outside number 2 Hopkins Street in Soho.

No windowsill for empty milk bottles. PW

After he loses his Boss when falling over, Samsa runs to catch up. Peter Street at the corner of Hopkins Street with the windows of Pulteney Schools to the top right.

Looks like another name change coming up. PW

Having followed the Boss home, Samsa is ignored by him as he changes out of his work suit. The pediment of the former number 72 Dean Street W1.

From street level. PW

  • 'Now' required

Appearing on a roof, Samsa tiptoes lightly across a parapet. This appears to be the roof of numbers 8 to 11 Bateman Street in W1.

  • 'Now' required

Using his cases, Samsa balances himself as he dances across the skyline. Again, the roof of 8 to 11 Bateman Street, a building that also fronts Frith Street as numbers 53 and 55.

  • 'Now' required

The film has no clear distinction between past or present and Samsa's "metamorphosis" is seen interspersed between location shots.

  • 'Now' required

Looking south past Old Compton Street towards the roof and dormer windows of a since demolished building on Romilly Street crossing the background.

  • 'Now' required

Samsa continues to dance as a tune drifts up from a One Man Band playing in the street below.

The salesman is turned away after calling on a prospective customer. University College on Gower Street WC1 with the Main Library in the background, the South Cloisters to the left and the ACBE Building to the extreme right. The Japanese Gardens now occupy the site.

Richard Winchester stood in a similar position for this comparison.

  • 'Now' required

A Man points up to where his Colleague is standing in the girders of a building under construction. This appears to have been filmed during demolition and reconstruction of the ACBE Building at University College as Gordon House can be seen across Gordon Street to the right.

Lifted high above the streets by the hook of a crane, Samsa takes in the view. Looking down onto Dean Street with the white window surrounds of number 76 to the left.

Many of the buildings are still recognisable. PW

  • 'Now' required

The camera pans across the skyline to where the tower of St. Anne's church on Dean Street dominates the scene.

  • 'Now' required

Gregor Samsa is lowered to the ground. University College on Gower Street WC1 with the dome of the the Wilkins Building to the right and the South Cloisters crossing the bottom of the scene. From other angles, the location can be seen in numerous productions including 'Raising the Wind', 'Wicked as They Come', 'Doctor in the House', 'The Lost Language of Cranes', ‘The Idol’, ‘The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu’, ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ and ‘The Man Who Never Was'.