Million Pound Note, The

Finding himself destitute in London, Henry Adams (Gregory Peck) looks longingly at a family eating their picnic. This is Kensington Gardens in W2 with The Albert Memorial in the background. The memorial and the surrounding area also appears in 'Joanna', ‘Jubilee’, ‘30 is a Dangerous Age, Cynthia’, ‘The Assassination Bureau Limited’, ‘The Shakedown’, ‘It Happened Here’, ‘Trottie True’, ‘Up Jumped a Swagman’, ‘The Jokers’, ’23 Paces to Baker Street’ and ‘Radio Cab Murder’.

Peter provides this modern view of the location.

As he walks aimlessly through the streets, the sailor walks behind a Nursemaid (Fanny Carby) as she strolls along with a girl in a pushchair. In the background is the junction formed by Belgrave Square, Grosvenor Crescent and Halkin Street in London SW1.

The same corner by Peter.

Oliver (Ronald Squire) and Roderick Montpelier (Wilfrid Hyde-White) call to Henry as he stoops to pick up an apple dropped by the child. This is now the Turkish Embassy on Belgrave Square.

Peter paid a visit to the Embassy.

After the brothers give Henry a million pound note to keep for one month as a bet, he returns to their house after lunch to find that they have gone abroad. Looking along the north-east side of Belgrave Square with the corners of Wilton and Grosvenor Crescents in the distance.

The same location by Peter.

The wind catches the note and snatches it from Henry’s hands. This is outside 45 Belgrave Square which is now the Malaysian High Commission.

The refurbishment Peter's shot found in Sept 2017 has now been completed and so this replaces his shot of the hoarding. SJ

The banknote is carried along the street towards a Mother (Mona Washbourne) talking with her Friend. The corner of Belgrave Square and Chapel Street.

The corner of Belgrave Square and Chapel Street. SJ.

The bill is blown into the air. Looking into Chapel Street with the rear of properties on Groom Place and Chester Street rising in the background.

Foliage covers much of the background building in Peter's shot.

The Mother is horrified to see the banknote land on her child. The corner of Belgrave Square and Chapel Street with Seaford House as the background.

Following on from the previous comparison, Peter moves to capture the building's detail.

When the note escapes his grasp again, Henry races to catch it. The corner of Chapel Street and Montrose Place SW1 located by Kurt Roberts.

Shame about the building work in this comparison from Kurt.

Henry barges between a Couple who turn to see him run away along the street. Facing north-east on Chapel Street in Belgravia.

Without the building work. SJ.

As he continues the pursuit, Henry collides with a Revivalist (Toke Townley) who’s distributing handbills. Savile Row in London W1.

Peter provides this modern view.

Henry tries to catch the note as the preacher’s leaflets are thrown into the air. The corner of Savile Row and Vigo Street advises SJ. Scenes from ‘The Alphabet Murders’ were filmed around here.

Proof from Peter.

While Henry scrambles on the ground searching through the handouts, the valuable piece of paper falls gently to ground as the wind dies. This is a property on the south-east side of Chapel Street in SW1.

And here it is today, while next door enjoys the Reelstreet scaffold look. SJ

As news of millionaire Henry Adams spreads, the American finds himself as a guest at Bumbles Hotel. A studio set included for completeness.

The Duchess of Cromarty (Joyce Grenfell) raffles off a vase for charity which Henry accidentally wins for £5000. The terrace at Heatherden Hall at Pinewood Studios in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire. The location appears in ‘From Russia with Love’, ‘Go for a Take’, 'Twice Round the Daffodils', 'Carry On Up the Khyber' and many more.

Exact part of the balustrade not guaranteed. RJ

Coming over from the States, his old friend Lloyd Hastings (Hartley Power) persuades Henry to lend his name to an investment scheme for a gold mine.

Henry carries Portia Lansdowne (Jane Griffiths) off after a disagreement in the park. The shore of the Serpentine in Hyde Park, London W2.

When he calls on Portia, the Butler tells Henry that she is not taking callers.

Henry and Portia leave the home of Oliver and Roderick after the brothers return from their month long trip. Outside number 47 Belgrave Square. Various part of the square and the surrounding streets have been seen on film, including in ‘The Wild Geese’, 'Edward, My Son', 'The Fourth Square', ‘The Fallen Idol’, 'Foreign Exchange', ‘Doctor at Large’, 'Fanny by Gaslight' and 'On Approval'.

Peter revisits Belgrave Square for this shot.

Faithful manservant and former strongman Rock drives the happy couple away. Facing southward on Belgrave Square with Upper Belgrave Street in the background.

Faithful Peter captures a similar view.