Murder in Reverse?

Date: 1945
Director: Montgomery Tully
Production Company: British National Films

Stars: William Hartnell, Jimmy Hanley, Chili Bouchier, John Slater
Location(s): London

Region(s):

Storyline:

Released after being wrongfully imprisoned for the death of his wife’s lover, a stevedore sets out to avenge his time behind bars.

Additional Information:

Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson

Also known as ‘Query’ (US Title)

Can you help:

If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.

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
  • 12 Dec 2022

The location is set as Fleet Street where, in the offices of the Daily Examiner, Editor G. Sullivan relates the story of Thomas Masterick to junior reporter Peter Rogers. Fleet Street is here seen from Ludgate Circus EC4.

I needed to be right in the centre of the street. Maybe on a quieter day. SJ

  • Capture 2
  • 'Now' required

GS explains that back in 1930, London's docks remained fairly busy. Facing west along the Thames with Irongate Wharf to the right and Tower Bridge crossing the Thames in the background.

  • Capture 3
  • 'Now' required

The camera moves across ships being unloaded at the various wharves lining the Thames. This appears to be looking down river from Irongate Wharf with the jetties of the British & Foreign and Carron Wharves to the top right.

  • Capture 4
  • 'Now' required

Whilst on a break, Fred Smith (John Slater) teases Tom Masterick (William Hartnell) about his wife Doris. Whilst also on a break, Ray Glenister found the party north side of Tower Bridge looking SW to the warehouses and cranes of the Southwark foreshore. Behind them, Hays wharf, London Bridge Station and in the distance London Bridge. (RL)

  • Capture 5
  • 06 Feb 2023

Following a fight in the North Star pub after Doris leaves her husband and their daughter Jill for her lover Fred, Tom chases his workmate with a sword. Looking north between warehouses within the London Docks estate with the bend in Tench Street, seen in 'The Alf Garnett Saga', 'To Sir with Love' and 'I Was A Fireman', out of view to the right.

The scene now features buildings on Portland Square to the right. (PW)

  • Capture 6
  • 'Now' required

Tom keeps up with Fred as he makes for the docks. In the foreground is the lock running between Western Dock and Wapping Basin in E1 while in the distance St. John's church stands at the corner of Scandrett Street and Green Bank. The area is now the site of the John Orwell Sports Centre.

  • Capture 7
  • 'Now' required

Still followed by Tom, Fred climbs a crane from where he falls into the water. Ray Glenister pinpoints this as Wapping Basin at the Western Dock, East London. Now the John (George) Orwell Sports Centre to the left. (RL)

  • Capture 8
  • 'Now' required

Arrested for murder when a body is found on the estuary mudflats, Tom looks out from the car taking him to the police station to see Fred Smith on board a cargo ship. This has the appearance of a model but its inclusion gives space to advance the story.

  • Capture 9
  • 12 Dec 2022

At the Old Bailey, Mr. Crossley KC acts for the prosecution in the case which sees Tom Masterick sentenced for murder. The often seen dome of the Central Criminal Court on Old Bailey EC4.

Lady Justice looks in good nick. SJ

  • Capture 10
  • 'Now' required

Released from Dartmoor Prison after serving fifteen years, Tom arrives at the station to catch the train to Plymouth. Unlikely to be anywhere in the West Country as there's a poster out of sight to the right which advertises Leslie Henson's Gaieties, a show that was running at the Saville Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue in 1945. In fact it's Bricket Wood station, on the line between Watford Junction and St.Albans Abbey, also seen in 'She'll Have to Go', 'Impact', 'The Cuckoo Patrol', 'Up the Creek', 'Double Confession', 'Poison Pen' and 'Night of the Demon'. (Steve Randall)

  • Capture 11
  • 'Now' required

Changing onto an express train, Tom continues his journey to London.

  • Capture 12
  • 26 Dec 2022

Arriving in the Capital, Tom walks from Paddington station. The carriage road at Paddington terminus in W2 with the Great Western Royal Hotel to the left.

The wall on the right has gone. SJ

  • Capture 13
  • 26 Dec 2022

Crossing the road towards a Policeman, Tom asks for directions to the Daily Examiner. The crossroads formed by Praed Street and London Street, a view of which also appears in 'Bellman & True'.

Refurbishment to the right. SJ

  • Capture 14
  • 12 Dec 2022

Following a meeting with his friend Sullivan before paying a visit to Limehouse where he catches up with his old pal Spike in the North Star, Tom makes his way to the Old Bailey. Outside the Central Criminal Court on Old Bailey in EC4.

With the modern attachment to the right. SJ

  • Capture 15
  • 'Now' required

Mr. Crossley KC arrives by car and is approached by Tom. Old Bailey with the George public house at number 25 on the corner of Fleet Lane to the centre. The pub can be seen from a different angle in 'The Walking Stick'.

  • Capture 16
  • 12 Dec 2022

After telling Crossley that he's going search for Fred Smith, Tom makes his way back to Fleet Street. Old Bailey EC4, a location that appears in a number of productions including 'Gideon's Day', 'Pressure', 'Brothers in Law', 'Dr. Crippen’ and 'The Verdict'.

Not a particularly busy day. SJ

  • Capture 17
  • 'Now' required

Outside the offices of the Daily Examiner, Tom speaks with GS's adopted daughter, Jill Sullivan (Dinah Sheridan) before she suggests that they have a coffee together.