Left, Right and Centre

Date: 1959
Director: Sidney Gilliat
Production Company: Vale Film Productions, British Lion Film Corporation

Stars: Ian Carmichael, Patricia Bredin, Richard Wattis, Eric Barker, Alastair Sim
Location(s): Berkshire, Kent, London, Middlesex, Surrey

Region(s): ,

Storyline:

At a local by-election, a natural history expert and TV personality finds himself standing against the daughter of a Billingsgate fishmonger.

Additional Information:

Screen captures uploaded by Phil Wilkinson from source material provided by John Tunstill.

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A panorama of the provincial town of Earndale opens the story. Chatham in Kent with the Sun Pier reaching into the River Medway to the left of centre.

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The camera pans to reveal more of the town where a by-election has been announced. Looking along Military Road at the junction with Barrier Road, Dock Road and The Brook in Chatham with the Town Hall on the left.

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A young couple visit the cinema as the population is seen going about their daily lives. Nick Boorman identifies the background cinema as the Regal on New Zealand Avenue in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey.

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Moving with the pair brings more of the cinema into view. Outside the Regal Cinema in Walton-on-Thames located by Nick Boorman who adds that the building also appears in 'Bond of Fear', 'The Price of Silence', 'A Weekend with Lulu' and 'The Third Alibi'.

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Newspapers report on the impending election.

Conservative candidate Robert Wilcot (Ian Carmichael) arrives at the station to catch the train to Earndale. London's Marylebone station on Melcome Place NW1.

Looking the same way. (PW)

The explorer and television personality stops to purchase a newspaper. The station was seen in 'One Of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing', 'Carry On Girls' and 'Smashing Time'.

Shoe shine instead of news kiosk. (PW)

Journalists ask their questions as Stella Stoker, the opposition candidate, boards the train for Earndale. Marylebone station in NW1.

Greg Scott explains that the station building was remodelled in the 1990s, with the result that the left facing wall was brought further out into the concourse to provide shop and office space.

Annabel (Moyra Fraser) says her goodbyes to Robert. Marylebone station before being redeveloped to create more platforms.

The former platform 2 with the new platform 3 now occupying the carriage road's space on the left. (PW)

The train pulls away and Annabel waves whilst her boyfriend finds a seat opposite Stella.

Looking towards the 'country' end of the old platform 2. (PW)

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A stock shot of the train carrying Stella and Robert to Earndale. In reality, the southbound Royal Scot passing over Bushey water troughs in Hertfordshire. The shot was also used in 'Beat Girl', 'Escapade' and 'Hide and Seek' and different views of the location appear in 'A Woman of Mystery', 'Train of Events', 'Night Mail' and 'One Wild Oat'.

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Conservative Party agents turn up to meet their candidate. Windsor & Eton Central station off Thames Street in Windsor. The station and it's environs were used in 'Lease of Life', 'The Lovers!', 'That's Your Funeral', 'Allez France!', 'Two-Way Stretch', 'A Run for Your Money', 'The Wildcats of St Trinian's', 'The White Trap', 'Doctor in Trouble', 'The French Lieutenant's Woman', 'Carry On Loving' and many other productions.

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The train from London approaches the platform as the Labour Party agents arrive. Windsor & Eton Central station, Windsor in Berkshire.

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Bert Glimmer (Eric Barker) from the Labour party stands a suitable distance from Harding-Pratt (Richard Wattis) of the Conservatives.

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Both of the candidate's agents are horrified to see Robert Wilcot help Stella Stoker (Patricia Bredin) off the train. Back to Marylebone station in London for this shot.

Robert makes his way to the home of his uncle, Lord Wilcot. Ham House at Richmond, Surrey.

Ham House, captured by John Harwood.

The election hopeful sees that his uncle has turned the house and estate into a money-making tourist attraction. Looking from the entrance to Ham House on Ham Street, Richmond-upon-Thames.

John Harwood admits that this view is off angle but to pay entry fee for one picture was a bit excessive.

A TV Interviewer (Bill Shine) speaks to camera in the town centre. Chatham's old Town Hall, now The Brook Theatre, stands in the background.

Taken from memory, just about right! SJ

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Robert and his agents arrive on the scene. Looking south-west on Military Road, Chatham in Kent. The area has been redeveloped.

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The Interviewer questions Robert about the coming election. Facing The Brook from the junction of Dock Road and Military Road.

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Stella and her agents also arrive on the scene and it becomes apparent that Robert gave more than a few secrets away on the train. Facing Barrier Road from the junction of Dock Road and Military Road in Chatham, Kent.

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Door to door canvassing of the electorate begins.

Robert tries to charm housewives and their children. Ian Gasson tells us that this is outside numbers 14, 16, 18 and 20 Meadway in Twickenham, Middlesex with Andover Road in the background. Ian adds that he was born in the flats opposite in October 1957 and was named 'Ian' after Ian Carmichael and guesses that, although the film was released in 1959, this scene must have been shot before October 1957."

Taken by John Harwood. (SJ).

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The Tory candidate moves on after a cool reception from the residents.

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Harding-Pratt watches from his car as a 'Vote Wilcot' poster is removed from a house window after Robert's visit.

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The Conservatives visit an industrial estate. David Edwards advises that this is Shepperton Studios in Surrey. In the background stand 'E', 'F' and 'G' stages. A similar view is seen in 'The Night Caller'.

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When Stella also arrives on the scene, the campaigning becomes a shouting match. Following on from the previous capture, Shepperton Studios again, located by David Edwards.

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Stella looks from her hotel window as she realises that the two adversaries are beginning to become attracted to each other.

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Annabel is called to Earndale by Glimmer and Harding-Pratt after the two agents join forces to defuse the candidate's romance. Windsor & Eton Central station, Windsor in Berkshire.

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A television crew turn up and broadcast scenes of the 'happy couple'.

Stella arrives at party headquarters where Glimmer shows her Robert and Annabel on the television. Identified by Antony Blair, this is looking west on High Street, Harrow on the Hill in Middlesex. The building to the left also appears in 'Supersonic Saucer'.

Antony also provides this modern shot.

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The Conservatives continue to target the population . . . . . .

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. . . . . . as do the Labour Party.

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Robert is driven through the streets, broadcasting reasons for electing him.

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The two candidates pass each other as both put their hearts into the election.

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And Lord Wilcot advertises his stately home!

Stella's boyfriend comes to Earndale. In reality, High Street in Harrow on the Hill, Middlesex identified by Richard Lovejoy.

Alterations to the shop fronts found by Antony.

The camera pans as Bill Hemmingway (Jack Hedley) arrives outside the Labour party offices. The offices appear to be a former cinema which once stood on High Street, Harrow on the Hill. Location found by RL.

Off angle but the same row of shops on the High Street taken by Antony.

Harding-Pratt races to a Labour party meeting with Mr Bray after Annabel collects the wrong guest speaker from the station. To the left is Goslings department store on George Street, Richmond. The location was seen in 'Duffer'.

Nick Boorman captured the view now adding "In October 1795, J.H. Gosling founded a drapery store at 80 George Street in Richmond. As trade increased, 75, 76, 77, 78 and 79 George Street were incorporated into the store. In April 1947, Gosling & Sons Ltd was acquired by John Barker & Co Ltd, department store retailers, of London. The store was badly damaged by fire in 1962 and demolished in 1968 with the company officially liquidated in 1974."

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The Land Rover nears St Luke's school hall, venue for the Labour party meeting.

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Outside the building, Harding-Pratt and Mr Bray hear the Right Honorable Grimsby Armfield delivering his rousing Tory speech to the Labour supporters.

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Cheering and clapping is heard through the doorway.

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The Right Honorable Grimsby Armfield (Moultrie Kelsall) is taken to the Tory meeting, where he delivers exactly the same speech to rapturous applause.

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On the evening that Annabel and Bill Hemmingway meet and fall for each other, Labour party supporters march through the streets. To the right can be seen The Army and Navy Hotel at the corner of Whiffen's Avenue and The Brook in Chatham.

The camera moves with Stella as she heads the procession. Outside the old Town Hall in Chatham.

A bit more cluttered now. SJ

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After the two adversaries are each made aware of their partners' feelings, Harding-Pratt and Bert Glimmer watch as Robert drives away with Stella. Littleton House at Shepperton Studios in Surrey, also seen in 'The Constant Husband' and 'The Pure Hell of St. Trinians'.

Glimmer searches the streets for the missing candidates. George Street in Richmond, Surrey.

The proof captured by Ian Hedgcock.

The camera pans as the car passes. Facing south-west on George Street.

Ian Hedgcock took this daytime shot.

As the two rekindle their love, Stella and Robert visit Lord Wilcot. Ham House, Richmond-upon-Thames in Surrey. The stately home also features in 'Never Let Me Go' from 2010.

Braving the extremely hot weather, John Harwood grabbed another shot.

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Lord Wilcot (Alastair Sim) climbs a ladder to hang a banner before falling and being fatally injured.

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Television news reports on the election as the voters go to the polls.

After numerous recounts, the Deputy returning officer prepares to announce the result of the election. The clock tower of Chatham Town Hall at the corner of Barrier Road and The Brook.

An hour too early! SJ

As Robert is declared the winner, news of Lord Wilcot's death is received. The Town Hall at the junction of Military Road, Barrier Road, Dock Road and The Brook in Chatham, Kent.

Now, at an angle! SJ