Keep the Aspidistra Flying

A delivery van arrives outside the offices of the New Albion Publicity Company. Summit House at the corner of Dane Street and Red Lion Square in WC1.

The blue plaque behind the No Through Road sign is to John Harrison of Longitude fame. SJ

A batch of posters are carried into the building. The entrance to Summit House on Red Lion Square.

A No Smoking sign has appeared. SJ

Successful copywriter Gordon Comstock (Richard E. Grant) looks down from a window of the design department before handing in his resignation to Mr. Erskine. The façade of Summit House at the corner of Dane Street and Red Lion Square WC1.

Behind the prop covering is revealed. SJ

With aspirations to become a "real" poet, Gordon walks as a man free from the constraints of employment. Denis Hoare recognises this as Primrose Hill, he has provided a GEV of the precise location for our records and a comparative shot for display. (RL)

Denis found that the bench is no longer there and the foliage has increased. (RL)

After borrowing money from his sister Julia to pay for a cup of tea, Gordon heads to see his friend Ravelston. The northern end of Chester Terrace in NW1 seen from Cumberland Place.

More modern vehicles, yellow lines and mini bollards were the only differences that Denis Hoare immediately saw. (RL)

As he walks, Gordon speaks to himself, running through poetic lines. Facing south on Chester Terrace.

But moving forward, Dennis realalised that besides more modern cars most of the houses now have pot plants breaking up what was a rather stark white appearance. (RL)

There's no answer when Gordon knocks at the door but he's called back when Ravelston leaves Hermione in bed and calls down from the window. Number 26 Chester Terrace NW1.

Denis believes that the planters in the entrances and on the window sills today really gives a nicer look. We would totally agree with you. (RL)

Told by Ravelston of a position at McKechnie's Hampstead book shop, Gordon walks to the interview appointment with his girlfriend Rosemary (Helena Bonham Carter). Woburn Walk in WC1.

The south side of the walk. SJ

Gordon asks if he gets the job can he have sex in the afternoon? Looking from Woburn Walk towards the junction of Duke's Road, Flaxman Terrace and Burton Street.

Looking east without the prop cabman's shelter. SJ

His new employer recommends a street where Gordon may find respectable lodgings by checking for aspidistra's in the windows. Simon James identifies this as Cumberland Gardens seen from Wharton Street in WC1.

Looking north. SJ

Gordon turns the corner and knocks on the door of landlady Mrs. Wisbeach who only takes single gentlemen. Around numbers 17 and 18 Lloyd Square WC1 located by Simon James.

Slightly extended on the left to include the BT Tower for context. SJ

That evening, Gordon struggles to write. Lloyd Square in Islington found by Simon James.

I tried to manoeuvre the lamppost into the correct position. SJ

Outside McKechnie's bookshop, Gordon refuses to buy dilapidated books from an Elderly Couple (Peter Stockbridge and Dorothea Alexander). Duke's Road in WC1.

I found the background tricky to reconcile and suggest Woburn Walk looking west. SJ

Gordon heads to a party organised by Paul Doring at the Varsity Club only to find that the date has been changed. Leighton House, 12 Holland Park Road, W14. The former studio of Victorian artist Frederic, Lord Leighton, it is now a museum. (SR)

Note the clever concealment of the wall plaque. Also seen briefly in The Big Sleep, while the interior can be seen in Brazil and The Stranglers' Golden Brown video. SJ

Rosemary and Gordon leave a lecture about artists.

Gordon asks why Rosemary didn't reply to his letter about her rejection which he ended "goodbye forever".

When Rosemary tells Gordon that she wants a cup of tea the two make for the station. The former ticket office at St. Pancras station on Euston Road NW1.

Now a bar so best visited before the crowds fill it. SJ

The couple drink together after Gordon explains that you can't be a successful writer unless you're rich and have been to Oxford. St. Pancras station on Euston Road.

This is the room just west of the bar/old ticket office but I may be wrong about this. SJ

Rosemary takes Gordon down an alleyway for a kiss before catching her train home. Although this appears to be a composite image, SJ points out the backside of the St. Pancras hotel to the top right and explains that part of the view is that of the Midland Road aspect before the station was rebuilt.

Here is a match for the top right at the best angle. The foreground is new but sympathetic building since filming. SJ

On a sunny day, Rosemary and Gordon head to Burnham Beeches intending to seal their love for each other.

At lunchtime the two find themselves eating at an expensive hotel. The Grade II listed Joyce Grove at Nettlebed in Oxfordshire which also appears in 'The Imitation Game'.

Receiving a letter from the California Review along with a cheque for $50, the poet with an international reputation runs to the bank. Duke's Road with Woburn Walk in the background.

Looking south. SJ

Gordon drops coins into a Veteran's collection tin. Facing south on Duke's Road in WC1 with Grafton Mansions to the centre, a building that can be seen in 'Death Line'.

Tricky to match the depth of focus. SJ

Arriving at the bookshop, Gordon turns the sign to closed and telephones Modigliani's to book dinner for three. Woburn Walk running between Upper Woburn Place and Duke's Road, a thoroughfare that also features in 'Arthur? Arthur!'.

Looking west with a newly planted tree. SJ

Following a pricey dinner, Rosemary, Ravelston and a very tipsy Gordon make their way to a pub for a last drink. The corner of Old Queen Street and Dartmouth Street with the Two Chairmen public house to the right. The corner can also be seen in 'Mary Poppins Returns'.

The pub is also briefly seen in The Big Sleep. SJ

After Rosemary disappears, Ravelston leaves Gordon buying drinks for everyone in the bar. Looking towards Old Queen Street from outside the Two Chairmen.

The lamp and postbox are still there. SJ

Losing his job after a local newspaper reports his drunk and disorderly behaviour, Gordon leaves his lodgings after Mrs. Wisbech throws him out. Looking west on Lloyd Square (S)

The focus depth proved a challenge. SJ

With Rosemary given a promotion at New Albion, Gordon leaves her following a row and moves to Lambeth. Park Street in SE1.

Generally looking less green nowadays. SJ

Gordon takes a 30/- a week job at Mr. Cheeseman's bookshop. Park Street in Southwark.

This entrance to the yard and arches under the rebuilt lines from London Bridge has been gated for quite a while. SJ

Mr. Cheeseman directs Gordon to Mrs. Meakin's filthy lodging house. Princelet Street E1 with Wilkes Street in the right background.

Looking west with the same bollards, different road surface and no washing. SJ

Entering the run down property, the Landlady offers him a room for 8 shillings a week. Number 4 Princelet Street in Spitalfields.

The south side of the street. Opposite was seen in The Woman in Black (2012) covered by Paul Lincoln visiting here at roughly the same time. SJ

Coming out of the undertakers next door, Mr. Orton (Roger Frost) appears carrying mugs of tea for himself and Gordon. Park Street can also be seen in 'O Lucky Man!'.

A lick of paint for the bollards. SJ

Julia Comstock (Harriet Walter) and Rosemary venture into Lambeth to find Gordon before his sister storms off when he upsets her. Park Street SE1.

A quiet moment for this popular cinematic bend. SJ

With his arms around two Prostitutes, Gordon shows Ravelston around his dreadful neighbourhood. Park Street, Southwark.

Looking east. A similar view was seen in Spider 22. SJ

Asking is he'd like a drink, Gordon walks his old friend to a pub.

Finding a brawl in progress outside the pub, Gordon leads Ravelston away. Stoney Street SE1.

A match to the left. SJ

Falling out with Ravelston, Gordon walks back to the bookshop. Looking south on Stoney Street, other views of which appear in 'The Young Americans', 'All Night Long' as well as '101 Dalmatians' with this angle also featuring in 'Naked'.

The pavement has switched sides with rebuilding on the right. SJ

Discovering that Rosemary is carrying his child following an afternoon in bed together, Gordon heads to the library. Charlton House Library, Charlton Road SE7. (SR)

Inside the library, Gordon asks for a book about pregnancy. Charlton House Library SE7. (SR)

A decision has to be made. Albert Embankment in SE1 with Lambeth Bridge and the Houses of Parliament in the background.

Just to the north of the Lambeth River Fire Station landing stage. SJ

Having done the right thing by marrying Rosemary as well as returning to work at New Albion to support her, Gordon arrives home from work carrying an aspidistra. Jubilee Crescent off Manchester Road E14.

From ground level. SJ

Evening draws in over the Comstock's home as the end titles begin. Jubilee Crescent in Cubitt Town on the Isle of Dogs.