Man Who Haunted Himself, The

Date: 1970
Director: Basil Dearden
Production Company: ABPC, Excalibur

Stars: Roger Moore, Hildegard Neil, Anton Rodgers, Thorley Walters, Freddie Jones, Olga Georges-Picot
Location(s): Hertfordshire, London

Region(s): ,

Storyline:

Cautious man dies on operating table momentarily, creating a flashier doppelganger who proceeds to haunt his alter ego. Or is he going mad? SJ

Additional Information:

IMDB has put a location at Charlestown, Cornwall for some reason. Anyone the wiser?

Richard Hope-Hawkins whose godfather was Thorley Walters has very kindly provided us with photographs associated with this film and others in which he appeared. These can be viewed by clicking here.

 

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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.

That's Moore in the car leaving his marine firm clearly signed as "Globe House, Bankside, SE1." with a 928 area tel number, but trickery's afoot ...

A column survives but everything else to the left is lost. The Globe on the van is actually Global: a happy coincidence. With thanks to David Burns who solved this 7 year old mystery. Looking west on the corner of Matthew Parker Street, SW1. Also seen in "The Big Sleep" (1978). SJ

Crossing Southwark Bridge: later, albeit window view, shots suggest that "Globe House" was behind the nearest lamppost.

Peter sent this image of the same location now.

Mermaid Theatre EC4, now on the north side of the Thames as Moore or more likely a driving double makes his way to his crash on the A4/M4. Geographically his journey follows a logical sequence except he seems to be heading west rather than north to his home.

The Mermaid, in Puddle Dock, was rebuilt in 1981 and has been closed, as a theatre, since 1997. Image by Peter.

Neil and Moore outside Fairholt as recuperated Moore goes back to work.

John Richards provides the exact location of "Fairholt" as the east side of Hadley Green Rd, Hadley, Barnet, Herts EN5 5PR. Looks like the sign on the railings has slipped a little. SJ

Fairholt is conveniently close to Elstree studios on the east side of Hadley Green Road, Barnet, Herts., identified by imdb though info perhaps originally submitted by Britmovie.

John Richards advises that "Fairholt" was Grade ll listed in 1949. (RL)

  • 'Now' required

Georges-Picot about to bump into Moore as Rodgers passes by. This is Dolphin Square swimming pool also seen in 'The Sorcerers' and others (as London Movie Guide will tell you). Pimlico, SW1

Moore in Hadley Green Road.

Looking south. SJ

Half Moon Street, London W1

Unchanged. SJ

Moore enters Geo F Trumper, 9 Curzon Street, W1, still going strong.

And some things should never change. SJ

Moore at Waterloo Place, SW1. The location appears in 'Kingsman: The Golden Circle', 'The Sandwich Man', 'Murder Without Crime' and 'Nothing But the Best'.

Replacing my earlier shot from 2012 with a more accurate angle. SJ

Now, in a cut, he's on Pall Mall, entering the Reform Club.

Good angle, by Geoff Dodd. The man who never was was obviously a Belisha beacon!

Inside the club, familiar in many films including The Quiller Memorandum, Die Another Day et multa alia

The atrium at the top of the entrance stairs. SJ

Moore up in the gallery of the Reform Club with Rodgers.

Similar carpet in the gallery. SJ

Moore, appropriately, in Old Bond Street, W1.

Old Bond Street, W1. Photo by Geoff Dodd. The street is a bit busier than in Moore's day.

Moore in Burlington Gardens between Old Bond Street and Cork Street, W1.

Burlington Gardens, SW1 - approaching what is now the Ralph Lauren shop. Geoff Dodds.

The street windows opposite looks right for Burlington Gardens. This jewellers is now part of Ralph Lauren.

Without entering the shop in Burlington Gardens, which has since been altered, means that an exact angle match is now impossible. But close enough. Geoff Dodds.

Moore arrives at "Cheney Street" provided by the jeweller in the previous grab. Actually it's Glebe Place, SW3, provided by Alan F., a familiar name at Britmovie.

Now. SJ

47 Glebe Place is Georges-Picot's place.

Now. SJ

  • 'Now' required

An office shot, supposedly Globe House, Bankside (see captures 1/2) overlooking the Thames a couple of blocks west of Southwark Bridge.

  • 'Now' required

Top of the Monument, EC3

Moore, trading company secrets on a boating lake: the island and boating house suggest the Serpentine in Hyde Park.

Is that the same structure on the left side? It seems to be further away from the Serpentine. SJ

Jones watches Moore leaving Fairholt in pursuit of his double.

Now. SJ

  • 'Now' required

Richmond Bridge: did they really wreck part of it? Andrew Lees, who has lived in Richmond all his life recalls reading in the local paper about the making of the film and how this shot was achieved. That section of the bridge (which he believes was due for maintenance) was removed and a facsimile polystyrene piece inserted to fit and was then crashed through. (RL)

Richmond Bridge, Richmond upon Thames.

Now, grade I listed and standing since 1777 and even widened 1937-40. SJ

An added shot from the start of the film to celebrate the location's discovery. Moore steps out of his office for his routine drive home.

4 Matthew Parker Street, London SW1. David Burns remembered driving clients to an insurance company there. Since 2014 it has been the Conservative Party's HQ. SJ