Moment of Decision (The Scales of Justice)

Date: 1962
Director: John Knight
Production Company: Merton Park Studios

Stars: Ray Barrett, Pat Healy, Viola Keats, Tim Hudson, Marjie Lawrence
Location(s): London

Region(s):

Storyline:

A woman yearning for a child takes a baby from a wealthy family but her husband sees this as a financial opportunity.

Additional Information:

Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson

Number 3 in the series of cinema featurettes produced between 1962 and 1967 for Anglo-Amalgamated

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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
  • 18 Jan 2023

On Wimbledon Common, when her Boyfriend (Michael Sarne) turns up, nanny Helga Schmerier (Lisa Madron) leaves baby Brian Chesham in his pram and follows him into the trees. The distant Ranger's House and windmill also appear in 'The Rivals'.

The windmill along with the Ranger's House and offices now by Peter Bywaters.

  • Capture 2
  • 17 Jan 2023

Commercial traveller Bert West arrives home. Looking west along Queen's Road in London SW19.

This comparison is by John Harwood. (SJ)

  • Capture 3
  • 17 Jan 2023

Getting out of his Mini van, Bert West (Ray Barrett) walks towards his front gate. Outside number 212 Queen's Road in Merton.

Slightly off angel by John H. (SJ)

  • Capture 4
  • 17 Jan 2023

Bert walks to the back door and enters the house to find that his wife Mary has brought a Baby home. The side of 212 Queen's Road seen from Haydon's Road with the Sutton Loop Line just to the west of Haydon's Road station visible to the top right.

Slightly further back. (SJ)

  • Capture 5
  • 17 Jan 2023

Having taken the Child to Sally Mason for her to look after, Bert carries on with his job as usual. Richard Lovejoy (RL) identifies this as Kingston Road SW19 with Merton Cameras at number 153.

Only looks like the building on the far left has survived. John again (SJ)

  • Capture 6
  • 17 Jan 2023

The camera follows the Mini van as it passes. Kingston Road in Merton found by RL.

John panned left. (SJ)

  • Capture 7
  • 17 Jan 2023

Edgar Lustgarten asks, "Was Bert's mind on his work? It seems unlikely, for he was facing the kidnappers greatest problem. How to profit from his crime without risk to himself." Outside 27 Pincott Road, which Peter Bywaters tells us was once an off licence, with the corner of Nelson Grove Road SW19 in the right background.

Quite a change here from John (SJ)

  • Capture 8
  • 18 Jan 2023

Collecting the Baby from Sally, Bert drives to one of his customers. The junction of Nelson Grove Road and Pincott Road, with buildings that are just a memory recorded on film.

A new block of flats now occupies the corner in Peter Bywaters' comparison.

  • Capture 9
  • 18 Jan 2023

Bert brings his van to a stand outside Mrs. Davies' corner shop. The corner of Nelson Grove Road and Pincott Road in Nelson's Fields, Merton.

Peter Bywaters explains that May Court now stands of the site of the shop.

  • Capture 10
  • 18 Jan 2023

Taking a box containing the Baby from the van, Bert takes it inside the shop before phoning the police. Looking east along Nelson Grove Road with Ryder House in the top left distance.

Ryder House can still be seen in the top left background of Peter Bywaters' view.

  • Capture 11
  • 18 Jan 2023

Following a tip off from Bert, the Police arrive to take Mrs. Davies and the Baby away, Facing south along Pincott Road with on of the factories on High Path in the distance.

Peter Bywaters found that all the old terraced houses have long gone.

  • Capture 12
  • 01 Aug 2023

Collecting a reward from Dudley Chesham, the child's father, Bert leaves his bank after drawing on a cheque for £5,000. Richard Lovejoy recognised the Hanover Square branch of the Midland Bank at 19 St. George Street in W1.

No longer a bank. SJ

  • Capture 13
  • 01 Aug 2023

Bert crosses the road a richer man while the Police continue with their enquiries. Facing west, towards Brook Street, from Hanover Square with St. George Street to the left identified by RL.

Building works cover the south-west corner of Hanover Square, no22, which is now the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair which replaced the original in 2017, along with some road pedestrianisation. SJ

  • Capture 14
  • 18 Jan 2023

Carrying the reward money in a briefcase, Bert makes his way to Mrs. Mason's flat. Opposite Cecil Road on Kingston Road SW19 located by Peter Bywaters.

Just a few meters from South Wimbledon underground station on Kingston Road, taken by Peter Bywaters.

  • Capture 15
  • 18 Jan 2023

Ringing the bell, Bert is let in by Sally who he knocks to the floor where she hits her head on the fireplace during an argument about the money. Peter Bywaters found the flats on Kingston Road in Wimbledon.

Number 36 Kingston Road now by Peter Bywaters.

  • Capture 16
  • 17 Jan 2023

After Sally calls the police, a squad car makes its way to the West's home. The junction of Queen's Road and Haydon's Road SW19 which, from another angle, also appears in 'The Leather Boys'. Peter Bywaters adds that the Bendon Laundry once stood behind the bill boards.

John found some new building at the junction now. (SJ)

  • Capture 17
  • 18 Jan 2023

Coming to a stand outside the house, two Officers get out of the Wolseley. Queen's Road in Merton.

Taking this shot, Peter Bywaters notes that the Wolseley would have problems with the same parking manoeuvre today with a barrier dividing the road junction.

  • Capture 18
  • 18 Jan 2023

Bert looks out of the front window to see the waiting police car. Queen's Road in Merton SW19.

Peter Bywaters suspects that these large old houses appear to be flats now, judging by the number of dustbins.