Magnificent Six and ½, The (Children’s Film Foundation) – Peewee’s Pianola

Date: 1968
Director: Harry Booth
Production Company: Century Film Productions, Children's Film Foundation (CFF)

Stars: Len Jones, Ian Ellis, Brinsley Forde, Suzanne Togni, Lionel Hawkes, Kim Tallmadge, Michael Audreson
Location(s): Hertfordshire

Region(s):

Storyline:

The fun misadventures of a group of seven children.

Additional Information:

This listing features an episode from the first series of ‘The Magnificent Six and 1/2’ which were British short films made for the Children’s Film Foundation.

Screen captures uploaded by Phil Wilkinson

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This short film opens on an idyllic setting. The end credits feature a thank you to The Home Farm, Aldenham . . . . could this be the place?

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Stodger (Lionel Hawkes) runs from the Farmer after scrumping apples before joining his friends on the country lane.

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After discovering an old pianola in the hedgerow, Stodger and his friends Whizz (Michael Audreson), Toby (Brinsley Forde), Dumbo (Ian Ellis), Liz (Suzanne Togni), Steve (Len Jones) and Peewee (Kim Tallmadge) manage to thumb a lift home with their find. Eric Parsons advises that this is the old three lane A1 running between Borehamwood and Hatfield, which is now the A1M.

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A forklift truck helps carry the load through suburban streets. Eric Parsons recognised Sullivan way in Elstree, Hertfordshire.

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The kids push the pianola on the last leg of the journey. Sullivan Way leading into Delius Close, Elstree identified by Eric Parsons.

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A Traffic Warden (Deryck Guyler) tells the youngsters that they can't park a piano in the street. A studio set included for completeness.

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Having been moved on, the pals continue on their way. Torworth Road in Aycliffe Park, Borehamwood with flats above shops on Aycliffe Road in the background.

Looking north on the western spur of Torworth Road. SJ

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A parade of shops is reached. This is Hartforde Road in Cowley Hill, Borehamwood in Hertfordshire.

A hedge has since been planted between the parade and main road so this is taken slightly off to look east down Hartforde Road. SJ

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While the others go to buy ice cream, Peewee starts the pianola. Hartforde Road in Borehamwood.

Not that busy on a Sunday. SJ

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Trying to stop the music, the little girl falls inside the instrument. Looking south-west on Hartforde Road, Cowley Hill.

The parade of shops is behind me. SJ

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The children chase the pianola down the street after it's knocked into motion by a reversing car. Winstre Road in Borehamwood discovered by Eric.

The house centre-left confirms Winstre Road. SJ

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The pursuit heads along estate roads. Torworth Road, Borehamwood with Parkside School in the distance.

The eastern spur of Torworth Road. SJ

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  • 27 Jul 2022

Still inside the pianola, Peewee is carried onward. Hartforde Road in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire identified by Eric Parsons.

This is looking north-east and on the junction with Winstre Road. SJ

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Running with ice creams in hand, the gang try to keep up with Peewee. Facing north-east on Torworth Road.

The Aycliiffe Road pitches are to the right. SJ

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Peewee screams as she lifts the lid of the runaway pianola to look out. Deacons Hill Road in Elstree advises Eric Parsons.

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The view continues around a bend. Located by Eric Parsons, this is more of Deacons Hill Road with Hollywood Court to the right.

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A little way along the road a Woman (Janet Webb) appears from her house. 128 Bullhead Road. (SR)

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The children keep up with the pianola. Hartforde Road in Borehamwood located by Eric Parsons who points out that the parade of shops visited in an earlier scene can be seen in the left distance.

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The Woman stops in her tracks as the pianola careers towards her. Facing south along Bullhead Road from No. 128. (SR)

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Peewee's pianola follows the Woman as she tries to escape from its path. Eric Parsons explains that this is Kenilworth Drive in Borehamwood, near the junction with Bullhead Road. The pillar box is still there and the house behind it has been extended.

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A Policeman (George Roderick) sees the Woman run past. Looking onto Torworth Road with the rear of buildings standing on Northgate Path to the right. The location was used in 'Mutiny on the Buses'.

Some of the wall has been cleared for easier delivery access to the Co-op's rear. SJ

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Joining the chase, the Policeman cycles after the pianola. Facing north on Bullhead Road, Borehamwood.

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On a side road, the Woman runs from a pantechnicon. Looking into Hillside Avenue from Bullhead Road.

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The pianola rolls onward. Looking north-east on Aycliffe Road with Northgate Path on the right.

One for winter. There is a match behind the trees, honest. SJ

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Hoping to issue parking ticket, the Traffic Warden approaches a Baker (Eric Francis) making a delivery. We're back on Hartforde Road in Cowley Hill.

Again, as in capture 8, the hedge between the parade and main road meant my stepping out a bit. SJ

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  • 27 Jul 2022

The pies obviously played a part in the comedy and the Baker ends up on the handlebar of the Policeman's bike. More of Torworth Road, looking towards Aycliffe Road.

Looking north-west. SJ

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The determined kids follow the Policeman's bicycle. Allerton Road, facing north-east. (SR)

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  • 27 Jul 2022

A Teacher (Damaris Hayman) and her pupils stop at the kerb. The southern end of Hartforde Road.

Looking the same. SJ

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  • 27 Jul 2022

After checking that the road is clear, the class are signalled to cross. Looking toward Brook Road on Hertforde Road.

Some more development on Brook Road. SJ

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Having avoided a collision with the speeding pianola, the Teacher is not sure that she sees a Policeman carrying a Baker on his bike followed by six children heading towards her. Hertforde Road with Canterbury House visible to the top left.

Canterbury House still towers over. SJ

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Yes, it's a Policeman carrying a Baker on his bike followed by six children heading this way. Facing north-east on Hartforde Road.

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Following the inevitable crash, the Teacher and the Baker end up in the branches of a tree. Hertforde Road in Borehamwood.

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Now getting tired, the gang keep up their pursuit until the pianola comes to a stand. The junction of Barnet By-pass Road and St. Albans Road at Bignell's Corner in Hertfordshire.

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Peewee peeps from the top of the pianola. Bignell's Corner near South Mimms. The garage was demolished in 1971 to make way for the A1(M) and the location is now the junction of Swanland Road and St. Albans Road.

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The Magnificent Six and ½ arrive back in the studio where the Policeman is charging the Traffic Warden.