Monsieur Ripois

The Maid brings tea to Catherine Ripois as she tells her Father that she is divorcing her husband André.

With his life story told to Patricia Hadley in flashback, André Ripois (Gérard Philipe) leaves the office where he struggles through the day in a low paid job. The former Fire Station on West Central Street in London WC1.

Peter found that plastic bags have replaced the good old galvanized dustbin.

The serial womaniser heads into the city, free from his nightmare. Passing The Bloomsbury Tavern on the corner of West Central Street and Shaftesbury Avenue.

Taken from further back to show more detail. Image from Peter.

The camera follows André. Exiting onto Shaftesbury Avenue from West Central Street. The location was identified with Peter's assistance.

'They seem to have straightened out the windows' comments Peter.

Following others from the office, a busy street is crossed. Shaftesbury Avenue with The Bloomsbury Tavern behind the number 22 bus.

The same tavern but no bus. Image from Peter.

André enters a telephone box to change his collar and tie. Shaftesbury Avenue with Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee fountain seen on the right. Identified by Peter.

Peter took this shot of the same location, and advises that the Diamond Jubilee fountain now stands in Princes Circus, opposite the Shaftesbury Theatre between High Holborn and Shaftesbury Avenue.

A bus is caught and André arrives outside Charing Cross station. Strand, London WC2.

The same location now captured by Peter.

André scans the rush hour crowds, looking for the ideal woman. Peter identifies this as Strand in WC2 with Duncannon Street out of shot to the right.

Still a crossing but a few alterations in the background. Picture from Peter.

The philanderer continues to watch the girls go by as he crosses the road. Strand in WC2 with Charing Cross station as the background.

The wall to the right in the screen capture hides Hungerford Lane which has been replaced by No. 11 Strand. Picture and information from Peter.

A young woman is followed but André is disappointed when she meets with a man. The steps of St-Martin-in-the-Fields church in Trafalgar Square, London WC2.

Peter found a late sleeper on the steps!

André continues his quest for adventure. Looking towards St Martin's Place, outside St-Martin-in-the-Fields church, Trafalgar Square.

André appears to be doing what Peter, as a child, used to - trying to fathom which step arrived at the far corner of Saint Martin's at pavement level.

Another part of the city is explored. Piccadilly Circus, London W1 with Shaftesbury Avenue on the right.

Same lamp post but a new bin in this shot from Peter.

Piccadilly Circus is checked for the elusive, perfect partner. The location has been seen in so many films, including 'The Gelignite Gang', 'Brannigan' and 'Two a Penny'.

Peter pans across to follow the action.

Piccadilly Circus facing Glasshouse Street to the right and Regent Street to the left.

Since they keep moving Eros, as Anteros has come to be called, around the 'circus', this is the closest to the screen capture that's possible. Picture by Peter.

Without luck, André heads home. Looking towards Piccadilly from Piccadilly Circus.

Peter captured the same location.

On another day, André catches the same train home as his supervisor, Anne, in an effort to get to know her. The now disused platform 5 at Holborn, a station also seen in 'The Black Windmill', 'The Last Train', 'Turn the Key Softly' and 'Conspirator' amongst several other productions.

Taken a little further back, but the same platform. (PW)

André walks with Anne (Margaret Johnston) after they have been in a year long relationship. Facing West Central Street from Shaftesbury Avenue.

An excellent match by Peter.

With the romance turning sour, André leaves his partner to go home alone whilst he heads into town. Looking south-west along Shaftesbury Avenue in WC1. Located by Peter.

Peter found it difficult to match the shot with all the greenery but the tree on the left might be the same as screen capture.

Norah (Joan Greenwood) is noticed at the bus stop. Ron and Ray have now solved this one for us. The bus stop was then, in Bloomsbury Way, London WC1. The background is 24-28 Bloomsbury Way (frontage now changed) with the unchanged junction of Bray Place and beyond. (RL)

Such a break in the traffic deserved to be recorded on camera. (RL)

The two get off the bus together and André returns the glove that he had secretly taken.

Ray and Ron Glenister have placed this as Cumberland Gate, Marble Arch, London W2 and provide the extract from Britainfromabove to support. (RL)

After a visit to the park, the pair visit a cinema to satisfy Norah's weakness for horror films. I believe this is Leicester Square just after they left the Warner Theatre, about to pass the House of Wax and then Café De L'Europe. (RL)

André stands with Norah as she waits for the bus to take her home.

Ray and Ron Glenister have dedicated time and effort in support Gérard Philipe whose life was sadly so short and established this location as Lowndes Street, London SW1 looking towards Motcomb Street. Replacing Google Earth shot. (RL)

A taxi waits for André as he leaves Anne's apartment and the fiery relationship. Lansdowne Crescent W11.

A much smarter location these days. I should have been outside No36 but in view of parked cars I had to settle for No34. (RL)

On a Sunday afternoon, André waits for Norah in the rain. Green Park, London.

Peter found that the bandstand disappeared a long time ago.

Norah arrives and the pair walk together. Looking south into Green Park from Piccadilly W1.

Peter took this picture of the changed location, just capturing the top of Westminster Cathedral in the background.

The two shelter from the rain before André suggests going for tea. The entrance to Green Park Underground station on Piccadilly W1.

Peter send this shot from roughly where the original entrance to the Underground was.

André tells the reluctant Norah that he lives nearby. Ray and Ron Glenister have revised their "thoughts" for this location to a "definite". The corner of Trebeck Street and Shepherd Market looking in the direction of Shepherd Market, London W1. The street, and the area near by, is also seen in ‘Booby Trap’, 'Murder Without Crime', 'Night, After Night, After Night', ‘Maytime in Mayfair’, ‘Follow Me’, ‘Stage Fright’ and ‘Escape from Broadmoor’. (RL)

Proof of a changed scene. (RL)

A dog follows as the couple set off when the weather improves.

Ray Glenister locates this as Montagu Square, London W1 looking north. To replace the Google Earth shot that was looking south! (RL)

Rain begins to fall again and the two seek shelter.

Ron Glenister pipped his brother Ray at the post with this one, Porchester Terrace North, London W2. No.9 at the time of filming, then No.69 and now No.169 on the corner with Orsett Mews, that itself now leads to parking. (RL)

When the rain stops, André persuades Norah to go with him to his Westbourne Park flat.

Crossing the road to Porchester Square, London W2 from monri029. That light post is not a welcome sight as one opens the front door but it has been there, certainly since 1969! (RL)

Through his window, André sees a lamplighter approach as the evening draws in.

A very different view today. (RL)

And again . . . . is this somewhere that was cleared to make way for Westbourne Green and the Westway in W2?

Yes it was says Ray Glenister this is looking north along Lord Hill's Road from the junction with Westbourne Park Crescent. Twelve years later, 'The Sandwich Man' would be filmed at the same junction. Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland -http://maps.nls.uk/index.html (RL)

Alone again after Norah has left because of his amorous advances, André watches night fall.

This is the view now . . . facing west from the junction of Westbourne Park Crescent and Lord Hill's Road. (PW)

And this, says Ray, is facing west from the junction of Westbourne Park Crescent and Lord Hill's Road with Westbury Road crossing in the middle distance and Westbury Terrace in the background. The area also features in 'Robbery','The Blue Lamp' and 'The Battleaxe'.

All now lost in clearance and green spaces. Picture courtesy of Britain from Above. (RL)

André tries again, meeting Norah after waiting outside her office. Peter advises that this is Bank underground station entrance in EC3 with Threadneedle Street to the right, Mansion House to the left and the tower of St Mary Aldermary on Watling Street EC4 seen along Queen Victoria Street. The area can also be seen in many other films including 'Perfect Starangers', 'Two Gentlemen Sharing', 'The Mackintosh Man', 'What's Good for the Goose', 'The Passionate Friends', 1951's 'Scrooge', 'Wanted for Murder', 'A Touch of Class', 'Circus of Fear', 'Tube Tales', 'Der Gorilla von Soho', '28 Days Later . . .', 'The Lavender Hill Mob' and 'Bobbikins'.

The same spot with a nice flower bed now covering the screen shot wall. Picture from Peter.

A lie is told about a forthcoming fortune and Norah is won over. Bank Underground station entrance outside the Royal Exchange identified by Peter.

And Peter took this shot of the station entrance with Threadneedle Street and the Bank of England as the background.

Some weeks later, people gather to watch an unknown spectacle on the Thames. Victoria Embankment in WC2 with, what is now known as, the Elizabeth tower of the Palace of Westminster on the distant skyline.

No spectacle to watch when Peter took this image.

Dismissed from his job and thrown out of his lodgings, André joins the crowd. Victoria Embankment with Waterloo Bridge dominating the background.

It was almost impossible get right angle because of parked coaches. Picture from Peter.

The Frenchman loiters on the streets of London. Leicester Square with the Ritz cinema as the backdrop, noticed by John Tunstill.

With confirmation by Peter.

With only his shaving gear and a radio to his name, André sleeps rough. Trafalgar Square WC2.

Peter had good weather for this one.

Hungry and with nowhere to go, André contemplates his future. This is facing Wardour Street on Coventry Street with the former Rialto Cinema left of centre.

Sixty years later by Peter.

The time is passed by wandering around. Facing Park Lane and North Row at Marble Arch in W1.

Peter found the same background building but an accurate shot was compromised by surrounding trees.

Marble Arch facing the junction of Oxford Street and Park Lane.

Marble Arch now by Peter.

A man bumps into André as he crosses the street. Ray Glenister found this one for us, the corner of Seymour Place looking east along George Street, London W1. (RL)

An amazingly quiet moment to show that very little has changed. (RL)

André is devastated when his radio, his only worthwhile possession, is destroyed as it falls to the road. The "road" says Ron Glenister is Seymour Place and the background is Bryanston Court between George Street and Clenston Mews, London W1 (RL)

To replace Ray Glenister's Google shot supporting his brothers identification. (RL)

Frightened for the first time in his life, André looks over at prostitutes across the street. Once again Lowndes Street, London SW1 say Ray and Ron Glenister with Motcomb Street going off on the left

Replacing the Google Earth shot. (RL)

The 'ladies of the night' are approached.

The 'ladies of the night' were also in Lowndes Street, London SW1 say Ray and Ron. (RL)

André follows Marcelle (Germaine Montero) who takes him back to her flat. Cockspur Street, London SW1 looking towards Warwick House Street. (RL)

Very much a changed scene. (RL)

Tired and hungry, André lets Marcelle lead the way. Cockspur Street, London SW1 looking towards Warwick House Street going off to the left. (RL)

At least I can show better definition in that stonework. (RL)

The morning after being fed by Marcelle, followed by a bath and a good nights sleep, André feels refreshed.

Ray and Ron are equally refreshed and place this as Percy Street looking down Charlotte Street, London W1 and support with Google Earth. (RL)

With a purposeful stride, André returns to his benefactor's home.

Charlotte Street, looking south towards Percy Street. Identified and photographed by Peter.

A corner is turned to enter Marcelle's flat. Ray and Ron Glenister locate this as Charlotte Place, London W1. The pedestrianised passage can also be seen in 'Last Night in Soho' and 'The Sandwich Man'. (RL)

Here's Peter's picture of Charlotte Place taken from Rathbone Street.

One evening, the two head to a pub to meet Marcelle's friends. Facing north-east on Windmill Street in W1. The street also features in 'Sapphire'.

Peter found a few changes in the background, including greenery.

Marcelle chases André when he walks out of the bar. The Fitzroy Tavern on the corner of Windmill Street and Charlotte Street identified by Peter. The street and public house also feature in 'Everything', 'Last Night in Soho', 'Sapphire' and 'It Happened in Soho'.

And also proven by Peter.

The pair walk together after Marcelle assures André that he is her fancy, not her pimp. Looking towards Percy Street on Charlotte Street W1.

Peter took this one of Charlotte Street.

André takes up residence in a flat of his own in Hampstead after leaving Marcelle and taking fifty pounds from her. John Tunstill advises that Drazin's premises were at 57 - 59 Heath Street, Hampstead NW3.

And this is the location now. (PW)

The camera tilts up the building.

The building has been demolished and replaced. (PW)

The shot settles on the window behind which, André has set himself up as a French teacher. Heath Street in NW3 identified by John Tunstill. The building with the large finial, seen centre top, still stands on Holly Hill.

The chimneys are still there. (PW)

André ends up marrying Catherine (Valerie Hobson), the mother of one of his pupils. And another identified by Ray and Ron, The Church of the Immaculate Conception, 114 Mount Street, London W1. (RL)

This is actually the main entrance on Farm Street. (RL)

The wedding procession passes through the city as André's tale comes to a close. Cambridge Circus with the Palace Theatre at the top of the picture, identified by Richard Lovejoy.

Peter took this ground level shot of the Palace Theatre as it looks today.

On a present day golf course, Patricia Hadley (Natasha Parry) watches as André is pushed along in a wheelchair by his wife after a feigned suicide leaves him injured.