Konga

Newspapers carry headlines of Dr. Charles Decker's return to England after being presumed dead following a plane crash in the heart of a Ugandan jungle. Cannon Street in EC4 with St. Paul's Cathedral as the background.

A shot from Cannon Street catching on the extreme right the tower of St Augustine Watling Street, now part of St. Paul's Cathedral Choir School. SJ

Arriving home with a baby chimpanzee named Konga, the famous botanist pours a drink whilst telling his secretary Margaret that it's good to be back.

Soon after a disagreement between Dr. Decker and Foster at Essex college, the Dean's death is reported in the papers. Trafalgar Square WC2 with the National Gallery, the base of Nelson's Column and St. Martin-in-the-Fields from left to right in the background.

The same newspaper stand with a similar looking flat-capped seller was also seen four years earlier in capture 1 of "Sea Wife". SJ

At Scotland Yard, Commissioner Garland and Superintendent Brown hear the Police Doctor explain how Dean Foster was killed. Scotland Yard on Derby Gate off Victoria Embankment SW1.

Pretty impossible to encapsulate both columns in this particularly inelegant eyesore of the current look so I opted for the sunny one. SJ

A van enters the driveway to Professor Tagore's house.

Dr. Charles Decker (Michael Gough) lets the ferocious six foot tall Konga out of the van before going inside to confront the Professor about his discoveries.

With their Classmates, Sandra Banks (Claire Gordon) and Bob Kenton (Jess Conrad) wait for Dr. Decker to arrive. Facing the Gilbert Scott building at Whitelands College on Sutherland Grove in Putney SW15.

The step-way has been shortened. SJ

With the Students in the back of his van, the Doctor takes them off on a field trip. Whitelands College on Sutherland Grove, Putney has since been sold and converted into flats.

Panning right shows that the tree has thrived. SJ

Following a heated row with Dr. Decker about Sandra, Bob is left dead on the driveway of his house after being attacked by Konga.

At home, Margaret confronts Dr. Decker as he reads the news about Bob before she gives a dose of serum to Konga after discovering the Doctor with Sandra.

Konga grows to an enormous size and escapes from the laboratory clutching Dr. Decker. This is the garage adjacent to Merton Park Studios on Kingston Road in SW19.

John Harwood was assured by Ken Rowles Director/Editor at Merton Park that the garage was on the right. (SJ)

Sending People running in all directions, Konga (Paul Stockman) appears above the roof of the George Hotel. Not a bad display of screen magic, this is a matted view of The George Inn on Epsom Road in Morden, Surrey.

Konga has merged into the clouds. John, who observes the loss of a chimney, with the comparison. (SJ)

Pedestrians stare in disbelief at the huge primate before scattering. Ray Glenister places this as Merton Hall Road, London SW19, United Dairies were at 148. The parade of shops can also be seen in 'Hidden Homicide', 'The Grand Junction Case' and 'Dead Man's Chest'. (RL)

United Dairies is now a small takeaway diner. John once more. (SJ)

When news is received that the gigantic gorilla is making for the Embankment, armed Police are dispatched to the scene.

The War Office is alerted and Troops are sent from the barracks. Another at Merton Park Studios Ray identifies. (RL)

Superintendent Brown races towards the Embankment as Konga's rampage continues. Located by Richard Lovejoy (RL) this is Muscovy Street in London EC3, which is also seen in 'Shooting Fish'.

It's now pedestrianised, and a vehicle parked just as I was preparing the shot to prevent me moving back any further. SJ

Troops arrive in the centre of London. The Port of London Authority building at 10 Trinity Square in EC3, found by RL and seen in many productions including 'Two Way Stretch', 'Sweeney!' and 'The Steal'.

Now The Four Seasons Hotel. SJ

More people join the flood of frightened Londoners. Outside the Olde Leather Bottle on Kingston Road, Merton Park in SW19 with Merton Hall Road to the left. The pub and its sign can also be seen in 'Dead Man's Chest', 'The Blazing Caravan', 'The Key Man' and 'Never Back Losers'.

Looking north-west. SJ

Cars stop in the street as their occupants get out and run for safety. Merton Park Parade on The Rush SW19, which also appears in ‘The Partner’, ‘Dial 999’, 'Dead Man's Chest', ‘Egghead's Robot’ and ‘Marriage of Convenience’.

Looking south. SJ

The Superintendent arrives on a street near to the Houses of Parliament where Konga has come to a halt. RL discovered that Hepworths traded from 86 North End, Croydon in Surrey and Martin Ford had a branch at number 80.

Pedestrianised since 1989, North End is the main shopping thoroughfare in Croydon town centre and Keith Prested discovered, unsurprisingly, that none of the original retailers have survived. The Easterns shop in the capture now forms part of Foot Locker, Martin Ford is now C&S and Hepworths forms part of MacDonalds, with the Golden Arch just visible to the extreme left.

Guns are set up in the street as Superintendent Brown (Jack Watson), Commissioner Garland (John Welsh) and General Brennan (Frank Forsyth) look up at the monster still holding Dr. Decker. RL next found that the Greater London Rubber Company stood at 66 North End in Croydon while Manfield had their shop at number 70.

Keith Prested found a lot of empty premises with the building that contained Manfield and the Greater London Rubber Co. being redeveloped in the intervening years. However, the first floor bay window, above what was Westons, suggests this building has survived fairly intact.

The order is given to fire at Konga. Moving right from the previous capture, this is North End in Croydon, Surrey, identified by RL.

In Keith Prested's comparison, the original buildings have been redeveloped. There's now a vacant shop unit to the left and part of a recently closed H&M store on the right.