London Nobody Knows, The

Construction work and the brave new buildings of the 1960s fill the first seventy seconds of the film. London Wall in EC2.

Soon to be hidden façades stand behind a building site. Dave W has provided us with this long outstanding location. The frontages of 26 - 27 Throgmorton Street EC2, as seen from what is now 125 Old Broad St. Difficult to take an accurate comparison shot now. (RL)

St. Alphage Highwalk alongside London Wall in EC2. The area is seen in many productions including ‘The Strange Affair’, 'Crossplot', 'Three Hats for Lisa’, 'Bartleby', ‘Ladies Who Do’, 'The Italian Job', ‘The Sandwich Man’, 'Catch Us if You Can', 'The Ballad of Tam Lin', 'Deadlier than the Male', 'Blow Up', ‘Life at the Top’, 'Go to Blazes', 'Sebastian' and ‘A Matter of Choice’.

Looking east towards where Wood Street runs across the built over section of London Wall but there is a fair match to the left. SJ

Looking past remains of the medieval tower of St. Alphage church towards a modern building style.

The old survives but the 60s block has been replaced. SJ

An unidentified edifice, does it still stand? Still very much standing Richard Wood tells us, Wood Street Police Station, London EC2 (RL)

On the east side of Wood Street, just north of St Alban Church Tower. SJ

After a shot of one last block, the title caption is shown before the music changes to a more melancholy theme and the camera zooms in onto older buildings. Portland House at Bressenden Place, London SW1. Identified by Peter.

Peter found that the building has been refurbished.

James Mason introduces the viewer to The Bedford Theatre on Camden High Street NW1. Also seen in 'Cathy Come Home' and 'A Little of What You Fancy'.

The same location now. (RL)

When we leave the theatre, a brief history of Camden town is given. Peter identifies this as Delancey Street looking west from Arlington Road in NW1.

Indeed it is, the corner property, extreme right, has certainly had changes to the upper floors. (RL)

Elderly residents of the area are seen arriving home. Peter identifies the modern looking building in the background as the old Carreras cigerette factory viewed from Arlington Road off Mornington Crescent NW1.

Peter knows his London, the couple actually enter No: 85 Arlington Road just out of camera shot. (RL)

A horse and cart is driven along a street that, even in 1967, was being renovated after years of neglect. Arlington Road NW1, the same lamp post being all that is left on the right hand side after redevelopment. Information from Peter.

No horse and cart today and surprisingly less cars than 50 years ago. (RL)

James Mason shows us Camden Roundhouse, a former railway engine shed next to the North London Line and, out of shot on the left, the West Coast Main Line out of Euston.

The location of the redeveloped sidings with the ground level now lower. This is the exit road from Morrisons in Chalk Farm, London NW1... This replaces the Google Streetview from Aug '14 and now shows ongoing building works which may threaten this view, looking west from Engine House Way, in the future. Behind me is a bar with an elevated terrace which may provide a better view when open. SJ

Church Street in NW8, before the street market sets up.

This is provided by Tony Defraine. (SJ)

The street that straddles Edgware Road comes alive. The area has been extensively redeveloped.

As above: so changed. (SJ)

In pre-car boot sale days, less professional vendors show their wares.

Centre block recognisable with thanks to Tony Defraine. (SJ)

We are treated to a view of Romano House. a building also featured in 'A Little of What You Fancy', at 400 Strand WC2, once the site of a famous restaurant . . . .

. . . and now Stanley Gibbons. Picture from Peter.

A Victorian lavatory is spotted in Star Yard off Carey Street WC2.

Peter found the now closed W.C. How inconvenient!

A tour of Victorian gas lamps follows. Once again, Dave W has put me out of my misery, and no doubt others too, once again memories of childhood, finding Storey's Gate end of Birdcage Walk SW1 looking up at the un-numbered extension to the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. (RL)

The lamp at the west end of Horse Guards Road is still there. SJ

Another lamp, this time in Carting Lane that runs between Strand and Savoy Place in WC2.

The sewer gas destructor lamp has been renewed but still serves its intended purpose. (PW)

Our guide walks towards a rarity that is a sewer ventilating lamp. Facing north on Carting Lane with The Coal Hole public house to the right. The pub also makes an appearance in 'A Little of What You Fancy' and 'The Big Sleep'.

The same location now by Peter.

More gas lamps, this time in Pump Court EC4.

With the trees now mature, this is the same location now from Peter.

Next to the river, and a view of St Katherine Docks E1 in what were, surely, better days.

They were certainly less affluent days. (RL)

As ships are seen being loaded and unloaded frighteningly close to London's tourist centres, Mr Mason describes how the Romans set up a trading centre down river before he moves on to view an egg breaking plant!

Peter took this shot from maybe the same corner in front of The Anchor Pub where J.M. was standing.

The sign in the background reads Bank End Wharf. Bank End in the London Borough of Southwark.

The arches of the railway bridge carrying the line into Cannon Street have since been opened up, as is evident in this modern view by Peter.

Clink Street, it's explained, is where Clink Prison was located.

A little more of the population in this shot by Peter who notes that the down-pipe cluster remains the same.

And these streets in SE1 are where 'Murder by Decree' was filmed.

Following some thoughts about blowing the chance of reconstructing in a practical and esthetic way after the Second World War, James moves to Christopher Wren's house on Cardinal's Wharf, Bank Side.

The same location now from Peter.

The camera tilts up to show more of the building next to which Cardinal Cap Alley passes. Cardinal Cap Alley also appears in 'The Boy and the Bridge'.

Sir Christopher Wren was supposed to have lived nearby but nobody seems certain. The building has acquired a couple of finials notes Peter.

Norman Norris and Alan Young, a pair of buskers, entertain a crowd. Outside The Artichoke pub at the junction of Stepney Way and Sidney Street in Stepney E1.

A sorry view meets the eyes now. (PW)

"Not the easiest way to make a living" remarks James, but 'Jumping Jack' carries on dancing. Properties on Stepney Way provide the backdrop. The pub closed down in 2001.

Weeds grow around an abandoned car where the buskers once drew a crowd. (PW)

On Tower Hill, an escapologist demonstrates his art. Tower Hill Terrace between the Tower of London and All Hallows by the Tower church. The area features in 'The Diamond'.

Peter believes this to be where the escape artist was performing.

Behind the spectators is the wall of All Hallows by the Tower church yard.

The wall has been rebuilt, the road has been lowered and the "new" Tower Visitor Centre covers most of the performance area, otherwise much the same! Thanks Peter for deducing the spot. (RL)

The background building stands on the corner of Trinity Square and Byward Street in EC3.

The building is now a public house. Photo by Peter.

A snap shot, with All Hallows by the Tower church in the left background.

The church and the wall are still the same. Picture by Peter.

The younger generation are observed on King's Road, Chelsea.

Boot's has replaced Woolworth's and the younger generation are now drawing their pensions. Image by Peter.

One of the 'Chelsea Set' stands in front of Guys'n'Dolls on the corner of King's Road and Lincoln Street SW3.

Peter found the location was still a busy place, as is the King's Road.

Passing what is now the open space of Duke of York Square opposite Blacklands Terrace on King's Road.

Peter took this shot of the location now adding "The former Duke of York's Barracks' railings on the King's Road have gone but a similar set still exists to the west on Cheltenham Terrace".

Further along King's Road at the corner of Wellington Square.

The same corner in the background is now obscured by the trees. Captured by Peter.

The top box office and award winning actor makes his way through the crowds in Chapel Market as the nostalgia trail continues.

Peter advises that Sainsbury's was at 54-59 Chapel Market which puts it behind the market stalls in this 'now' photo.

Behind grapes hanging from a stall is seen Manze's Pie & Mash shop in Chapel Market, Islington N1. Michael Bradley updates us that Manze's sadly closed its doors for the last time in 2019 after trading for 108 years.

Peter took this shot and advises that Manze's excellent Pie & Mash was still the same when he visited . . . as always.

After watching customers eat their pies, mash and stewed eels, we are taken inside a funeral parlour. Richard Lovejoy advises that H. M. Repuke were at 333 Upper Street opposite Islington Green, London N1.

Property sight lines and address numbers have changed slightly but the "parlour" would have been in this shot. (RL)

Monuments, tombs and gravestones are captured in Kensal Green Cemetery, Harrow Road W10. Antony Blair advises that this is the tomb of The Tomb of Major General Sir William Casement.

Antony went to pay his respects.

Back to the East End, where a Salvation Army band strikes up. The band has just passed over the junction of Myrdle Street with Fordham Street as seen from the corner of Romford Street in E1.

Newer buildings to the left in the same location now. (PW)

Young boys walk with the band on Fordham Street.

No band, just parked vehicles today. (PW)

A reverse point of view as the camera is moved round. Looking east on Fordham Street with the corner of Romford Street on the left.

Urban greenery flops into the street at the same spot. (PW)

The band turns the corner onto New Road and marches on its way.

The properties survive intact here. (PW)

Our guide takes us into a Salvation Army Hostel where he talks with the residents. Over twelve years since this film was added to the site, Trevor Burnett has identified the Victoria Home for Men which was run by the Salvation Army at 177 Whitechapel Road in E1 between Booth House and the Foundation School.

Some are not so lucky. Christ Church Gardens on Commercial Street in Spitalfields E1. The churchyard is known locally as 'Itchy Park'.

A happier scene. (PW)

Down and outs fight in the street. Fournier Street Synagogue now Brick Lane Jamme Masjid (Great Mosque).

A better kept doorway and no fighting. (PW)

The Salvation Army band plays to drum up support outside The Grand Palais Yiddish Theatre at 133 Commercial Road E1.

Still recognisable. (PW)

A man walks across Spitalfields Market. The location was seen in 'Nightbirds'.

Why didn't they at least keep that façade? (RL)

The man helps himself to leftovers after the market has closed. This was once the corner of Spital Square at the northern end of Steward Street before the market expanded in the 1930s.

And it has all changed once more. (RL)

We are taken to Hanbury Street, demolished in March 1970, where Ripper victim Annie Chapman's body was discovered in the back yard alongside the fence between numbers 27 and 29 on September 8th 1888.

A completely different scene meets the eyes now. (PW)

More of Fournier Street, dating from 1724.

Some yellow lines have given way to Residents Parking, it has to, it is an expensive area now. (RL)

Children shout and play in the street. Looking towards Commercial Street from outside the Synagogue on Fournier Street with Christ Church in the left distance.

No place for ruffians these days. (RL)

A gang runs up the since demolished Lolesworth Street.

An approximation of the same location, this is now known as Flower & Dean Walk. (PW)

The boys run around the corner. Thrawl Street from Lolesworth Street E1 with Brick Lane in the distance.

A changed view now. Flower & Dean Walk. (PW)

A vagrant makes his way along Fournier Street, where the buildings survive intact. The same location was used in 'The Crying Game'.

Watch out for guided tours these days. (RL)

On the other side of Commercial Street is Artillery Lane where this 17th Century shopfront survives. The location was also seen in 'Omen III: The Final Conflict'.

Thank goodness for preservation, but shame about the ironwork. (RL)

Flower & Dean Street facing Commercial Street, mostly demolished in the 1970s but the western end remains as Lolesworth Close in E1.

The road that serves properties in the area is called Thrawl Street whilst the pathways are known as Flower & Dean Walk. (PW)

Children sing, shout and play on the balconies of the tenement blocks.

A brighter future is glimpsed as newer high rise accommodation is shown. Anne Goodman House on Sidney Square off Jubilee Street, Stepney.

Mature trees and gardens in the same location now. (PW)

The old and the new stand side by side on Old Montague Street E1. Pauline House towers in the left distance.

Now it's the not so new and more modern. (PW)

A preacher with his 'The End is Nigh' banner closes the film. Facing north on Steward Street, to the west of Spitalfields Market, with still extant buildings on Folgate Street in the right distance and the rear of Spital Square properties running to the left. London E1.

Even I would agree that this is an improvement. (RL)