Mad About Men
Date: 1954
Director: Ralph Thomas
Production Company: Group Film Productions Limited
Stars: Glynis Johns, Donald Sinden, Anne Crawford, Margaret Rutherford
Location(s): Buckinghamshire, Cornwall, Devon, London
Region(s): London M-N, South East M-Q, South West
Storyline:
All goes well when a schoolteacher swaps places with her flirtatious mermaid relative until she beings to fall in love with a human.
Additional Information:
Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson
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We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.
- Capture 1
- 'Now' required
The credits appear over a coastal view whilst in Kensington, Caroline Trewella competes in a 100 yards swimming race.
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
Caroline Trewella (Glynis Johns) collects her trophy after winning the race for the third time before dashing off to Paddington to catch the Penzance train.
- Capture 3
- 22 Oct 2024
The departure of the Cornish Riviera is announced and the school mistress takes her 1st class seat on the train. This is London’s Paddington terminus on Praed Street W2.
The current platforms 4 & 5 from the cross walk. This replaces my April '23 shot which (I think) was looking the wrong way. SJ
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required
Shortly after Caroline says goodbye to her fiancé Ronald Baker, the express to Cornwall pulls out of the station. The train is leaving from platform 2 at Paddington.
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
Caroline changes onto a connecting train for the last leg of the journey to Pendarrow and the cottage that she inherited from an Aunt. Terras Level Crossing on the line between Sandplace and Looe stations in Cornwall with the East Looe River to the left.
- Capture 6
- 'Now' required
The camera pans right with the train as it passes over a level crossing. Terras Level Crossing found with assistance from Robert Shrives.
- Capture 7
- 21 Apr 2023
The Porter waits at Pendarrow station for the local train to arrive. Seer Green & Jordans station in Buckinghamshire which also appears in 'Echo of Barbara', ‘Twice Around the Daffodils’, ‘The Belles of St. Trinian’s’ and ‘Man in the Road’.
Antony Blair found no sign of a Porter.
- Capture 8
- 'Now' required
With no porters or taxis available, Jeff offers to show Caroline the way to the village. This is Polperro in Cornwall with The Warren to the right of the River Pol. The coastal village also features in 'Miranda', ‘Break in the Circle’, 'The Manxman', ‘Another Time, Another Place’ and ‘Behemoth the Sea Monster’.
- Capture 9
- 'Now' required
With Jeff Saunders (Donald Sinden) carrying her luggage, the two make their way through the village. Roman Bridge with the junction of Talland Street and The Warren in the background.
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required
Jeff points out their destination, Smuggler’s Cottage, where, in the caves beneath, Caroline discovers her mermaid relation, Miranda.
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
Feigning an accident, Caroline returns from London in a wheelchair with Nurse Carey. The Warren in Polperro.
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required
Having swapped places with Caroline, Miranda and Nurse Carey head into Torquay to sell doubloons to buy new clothes. Looking across the Old Harbour towards Strand with St. John’s church in the left distance.
- Capture 13
- 20 Aug 2022
When he sees Nurse Carey (Margaret Rutherford) struggling with Miranda’s wheelchair, Colonel Barclay Sutton (Nicholas Phipps) approaches to assist. Looking east towards St. Mary’s church at the north eastern end of High Street in Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire. The location also features in 'Emil and the Detectives'.
68 years later, Antony Blair returned to the church.
- Capture 14
- 'Now' required
Accompanied by his fiancée Barbara Davenport (Anne Crawford), the Colonel begins to talk with the flirtatious mermaid. High Street in Long Crendon.
- Capture 15
- 'Now' required
With disapproving looks from Barbara, Colonel Sutton asks Miranda to dinner at the hall. Outside the 15th century Courthouse on High Street in Long Crendon.
- Capture 16
- 'Now' required
Colonel Sutton rides through the village. Facing north on High Street in Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire, also seen in 'Inquest'.
- Capture 17
- 'Now' required
The shot follows the Colonel as he makes his way to woo Miranda. High Street with the corner of Burt's Land to the right.
- Capture 18
- 'Now' required
The pan continues as the Colonel passes. High Street, Long Crendon in Buckinghamshire with the sign of the long closed Golden Cross public house to the left.
- Capture 19
- 'Now' required
At Smuggler’s Cottage, Colonel Sutton rides up to Miranda and Nurse Carey.
- Capture 20
- 'Now' required
The different quality of this sequence indicates that it may be a stock or pick up shot with the FY registered boat suggesting that the location is Fowey in Cornwall. Marcus Lewis of the Fowey Harbour Heritage Society says that Fowey was the registration district for fishing boats, which covered Looe, Polperro, Fowey and Mevagissey. He is pretty sure that this sequence was filmed in Looe Harbour. (RL)
- Capture 21
- 'Now' required
A jealous Barbara arranges a concert during which Caroline is expected to sing, showing Miranda to be a fraud. A matte portrays the pier at fictional Pendarrow.