Love Among the Ruins

With the credits over, the film opens with a view of the court where Sir Arthur Granville-Jones is preparing to leave later than expected. St. Pancras station on Euston Road N1.

Looking west from Euston Road opposite King's Cross. This replaces my shot from March '26 with a better angle standing further back and without looking into the sun. SJ

A tilt shot down the court's frontage begins. Looking up at St. Pancras station on Euston Road. The terminus was opened by the Midland Railway in 1868.

A better angle may well be attained from the centre island of the busy Euston Road, I posed in December '25, and this indeed proved the case with this replacement. SJ

Hurrying out of the building for his appointment with Mrs. Medlicott, Sir Arthur Granville-Jones (Laurence Olivier) crosses the road as a rumble of thunder sounds. Facing the entrance to St. Pancras Chambers at St. Pancras station on Euston Road.

The entrance to Midland Grand and Gothic Bar is rather enclosed now. SJ

Rain pours as the Barrister runs towards his chambers.

Gathering his gown around his head, Sir Arthur continues through the downpour. King's Bench Walk in EC4.

The east side with the same angle seen in Tom Jones. SJ

The camera follows as Malden (Peter Reeves) comes out to meet Sir Arthur with an umbrella. King's Bench Walk in the Temple.

A similar angle is seen in The Tyburn Case which also features 3 North's doorway, seen on the left,. SJ

Through the window of his rooms, Sir Arthur sees Mrs. Medlicott arrive with her solicitor Mr. Druce. Looking out onto King's Bench Walk.

I had to make do with a ground level view. SJ

After Sir Arthur recalls a meeting with Jessica in Toronto many years before, the rain stops, allowing George Druce (Richard Pearson) and Sir Arthur to walk Jessica Medlicott (Katharine Hepburn) to her car. Facing north on King's Bench Walk with 3 North in the background.

The steps featured singing and dancing in Mr. Quilp. SJ

Sir Arthur and Jessica continue to talk about a moment in her mostly forgotten past that remains fresh in his mind. King's Bench Walk can be seen in many productions including 'Mr. Quilp', 'My Learned Friend', 'School for Scoundrels', 'The Tyburn Case', 'Tom Jones', ‘The Halfway House’, ‘Brothers in Law’ and 'David Copperfield' from 1969.

This angle is nearly the same as in The Man Who Wouldn't Talk. SJ

Upset that she didn't remember him or their passionate affair of 40 years ago, Sir Arthur watches as Mrs. Medlicott is driven away. New Square, Lincoln's Inn WC2 with Lincoln’s Inn chapel and Old Buildings in the background.

Looking east along the north side of New Square towards the chapel, seen in the middle. SJ

Deciding that a stiff drink is needed, George and Sir Arthur head for the nearest pub. Looking towards number 3 King's Bench Walk with 3 North to the left.

Very much the same. SJ

As they walk, Sir Arthur recounts the time he spent with Jessica and the discovery that she had married Giles Medlicott before moving to Kent. The corner outside number 2 King's Bench Walk.

Now looking south having moved past the corner. SJ

Sir Arthur's anger grows at the thought of what she did to him and, out of all the advocates in London, she chose him to defend her against a young man's charge of breach of promise. King's Bench Walk with number 1 in the background.

The north end of King's Bench Walk. SJ

After a large whisky, Sir Arthur shares a taxi home with George. Park Village West NW1 with number 11 in the background, identified by Gordon Hawtin.

No.10 is shrouded for renovation but no.11 is clear with the same tree prospering on the right. SJ

Panning with the cab before tilting up, the camera settles on the home of Mrs. Medlicott. Gordon Hawtin found number 12 Park Village West.

Grade II-listed Tower House, 12 Park Village West, recently sold for millions. SJ

From behind her almost closed curtains, the ageing actress watches the taxi as it passes and comes to a halt at the end of the road. Park Village West with number 15 to the left and Albany Street in the background, located by Gordon Hawtin.

Looking west. SJ

Running up to Sir Arthur as he gets out of the cab, Mrs. Medlicott's housekeeper Hermione Davis (Gwen Nelson) asks him to come with her. Gordon Hawtin recognised the junction of Albany Street and Park Village West as seen from the pavement outside 203 Albany Street.

The same railings in the foreground with no.14 Park Village West on the corner with Albany Street. SJ

Mrs. Medlicott's day in court begins. Outside St. Pancras Chambers on Euston Road in N1. The entrance now leads into a hotel, currently named the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London.

A bar & and tea room now occupies the entrance space and there is a lot more clutter. SJ

Teplow (T.C. Hogan) opens the car door for Mrs. Medlicott and Miss Davis. St. Pancras station, other views of which can be seen in ‘The Servant’, ‘Smashing Time’, ‘Shirley Valentine’, ‘The Fourth Protocol’, ‘The Tenth Man’, ‘Mona Lisa’, ‘Richard III’, ‘A Cry from the Streets’ and ‘The Painted Smile’. Recognising the car, Manuel Gurtner tells us that the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost 40/50 HP Roi des Belges "Barker" was later used in 'The Thirty Nine Steps' from 1978.

This is no longer a drive-in entrance but glassed in for a sunny tea-room. SJ

Following an adjournment until the following day, Mrs. Medlicott, Sir Arthur and George are driven away from court. New Square in WC2.

Teplow brings the Rolls Royce to a stand outside Mrs. Medlicott's house. Park Village West in NW1 with number 11 as the background identified by Gordon Hawtin.

No.11 with the distinctive columns of no.12 Tower House, also seen in The Trials of Oscar Wilde. SJ

With the case over, Jessica and Sir Arthur leave the court together. The steps leading to the Library at Lincoln's Inn Hall.

Also seen in Mrs. Brown, Preaching to the Perverted, Basil and The Limehouse Golem. SJ

The pair walk away arm in arm. Facing southward on New Square in Lincoln's Inn WC2.