Magic Christian, The

Date: 1970
Director: Joseph McGrath
Production Company: Commonwealth United Entertainment, Grand Films Limited

Stars: Peter Sellers, Ringo Starr, Richard Attenborough, Laurence Harvey, Christopher Lee, Spike Milligan, Yul Brynner, Roman Polanski, Raquel Welch, Wilfrid Hyde White, Fred Emney, John Le Mesurier, Dennis Price, Patrick Cargill, John Cleese, Graham Chapman.
Location(s): Olympia, Putney, Mortlake, London

Region(s):

Storyline:

Rich man, Sellers, adopts, poor boy, Starr, and they spend their money putting the clod steel up those who annoy them. JT

Additional Information:

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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
  • 01 Nov 2012

A station.

Wargrave Station, Wargrave, Berkshire, claims Alan Field. The bridge in the distance is the only identifying feature. Confirmed by Mike Romans (see his story on capture 11)

  • Capture 2
  • 28 Oct 2006

Olympia, West London, with Nationwide presenter Michael Barratt in full action.

Now. Bernard Atman, thank you.

  • Capture 3
  • 18 Jun 2017

Thames, south side, Putney / Mortlake area.

I've been meaning to complement this one for ages. It's taken from Barnes railway and footbridge, W4 on the west side of the Thames looking east towards Barnes. The white building on the right is The Bull's Head aka The Bull on Lonsdale Road, SW13 also seen in History of the Blues (2003). SJ

  • Capture 4
  • 04 Aug 2008

Thames, north side, where Help...or was it Hard Day's Night...was made.

Neither. Putney Embankment with, for Fulham fans, Craven Cottage lights in the skyline. SJ.

  • Capture 5
  • 28 Oct 2006

Putney, Embankment, Thames side, not too far from where The Big Sleep was made.

Now.

  • Capture 6
  • 28 Oct 2006

Nearby, Glendary Road, Putney.

Now.

  • Capture 7
  • 28 Oct 2006

Nearby again, same place.

Now.

  • Capture 8
  • 28 Oct 2006

Nearby once more, corner of Weiss Road, and Richmond Road, Putney

Now.

  • Capture 9
  • 28 Oct 2006

Corner of Glendary and Richmond Roads.

Now. These were all provided by Dan Rogers. All really one big panorama, but thanks Dan, well done.

  • Capture 10
  • 22 Mar 2009

View from South bank of Thames. David Edwards confirms that the actual site used for shooting was on the land now occupied by the National Theatre at the side of Waterloo Bridge. He actually visited the location in the summer of 1969 where the big water tank had been constructed for people to jump into the water to collect money that 'The Magic Christian' had thrown in. The vast empty land site stood empty until the National Theatre was built and then opened in 1976. (RL)

Now. The National Theatre now fills the cleared site. This is taken from Waterloo Bridge and in the background of the grab can be seen the building of Lauderdale and Cromwell, with Shakespeare to follow, Towers at Barbican. SJ.

  • Capture 11
  • 28 Oct 2019

A station... Henley-on-Thames. "Both stations (including Wargrave already identified in capture 1) are still open but all the station buildings seen in the film have long been demolished. At the time I was working in the BR department at Reading which dealt with the hire of special trains and was the person who answered the first ‘phone call from the production company. I spent a lot of time sorting out with them what they actually needed instead of what they’d vaguely initially asked for and then drawing up the programme for the train requirements for filming, which took place over several days on the branchline." Mike Romans (SJ)

"Car parking has replaced most of the platforms and sidings. To the left, the mock Tudor Imperial Hotel remains." And a gloriously clear now to prove so, thanks to Andrew Price (SJ)

  • Capture 12
  • 28 Oct 2019

The same station, different aspect. See above info. (SJ)

"The white-sided row of houses to the left remains and has had an extension, though in this capture the building is now largely shrouded by the trees." Andrew again. (SJ)