My Brother Jonathan
Date: 1948
Director: Harold French
Production Company: Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC)
Stars: Dulcie Gray, Ronald Howard, Stephen Murray, Mary Clare, Beatrice Campbell, Finlay Currie
Location(s): Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire
Region(s): South East M-Q, South West
Storyline:
A Doctor tells his son about his life, revealing that he is not the young man’s father.
Additional Information:
Screen captures uploaded by Phil Wilkinson
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- Capture 1
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The film opens with a view over the Black Country before moving to the fictional Worcestershire village of Brimsley, where Dr. Jonathan Dakers tells his son Tony about his life. An unknown location.
- Capture 2
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In flashback, Tony hears memories about his grandfather, Eugene Dakers (James Robertson Justice). The grounds of the Old Bury on Rectory Lane in Stevenage, Hertfordshire with St. Nicholas Church in the background identified by Don Aldous who adds "The interior of the Old Bury was used throughout the film. My parents lived in a cottage in the grounds of the property where my two sisters and I were born. My father worked on the Bury farm and got to know many of the cast and crew. It is the oldest house in the town of Stevenage and, at the time of filming, it only had gas lightning, as did we until 1954."
- Capture 3
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A carriage brings Harold and Jonathan Dakers to the Martyn's house.
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Their father drops Jonathan (Desmond Newling) and Harold at the gateway before driving away on business.
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The brothers run through the grounds to the back lawn of the huge house where a cricket match is in progress. Tottenham House at Great Bedwyn near Marlborough in Wiltshire identified by Steve Randall.
- Capture 6
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As Harold (Alan Goodwin) takes of his leg pads, Jonathan talks with the young Edie Martyn (Eunice Gayson). The south façade of Tottenham House in Wiltshire, located by Steve Randall.
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Years later, Harold is on the pitch again when the brothers return to the Martyn's. Steve Randall discovered the Grade I listed Tottenham House at Great Bedwyn.
- Capture 8
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Now a a medical student, Jonathan Dakers (Michael Denison) speaks with Edie Martyn (Beatrice Campbell). The south façade of Tottenham House, Great Bedwyn found by Steve Randall.
- Capture 9
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Harold Daker (Ronald Howard) escorts his brother to Brimsley railway station as he sets off to practice in Wednesford. Aston Rowant station in Oxfordshire.
- Capture 10
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Edie and Harold watch the train carry Jonathan away to the Black Country. Aston Rowant station was opened in 1872 and closed in 1961. The station also features in 'The Captive Heart', 'My Brother's Keeper' and 'Portrait of Clare'.
- Capture 11
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The two leave the station and Edie is driven home. Peter Brown advises that according to "Glyn Horton's Guide to Britain Railways in Feature Films" this is Aston Rowant (credited to Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway) and refers us to http://www.railuk.info/gallery/notes/watermark_no.php?id=2248&file_name=astonrowant02.jpg&type=sa and also YouTube. (RL)
- Capture 12
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An establishing shot of Sir Joseph Higgins' foundry in Wednesford. It's hard to discern whether this is a set or a real place.
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The camera moves across the various buildings bringing LNWR and GWR railway wagons into view.
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The shot ends with Jonathan at the foundry gates.
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An establishing shot of the prosperous part of Wednesford. This scene made up of a matted studio set was reused in 'Portrait of Clare' released in 1950.
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Snow falls as Harold Dakers arrives in London to meet Edie Martyn while his brother remains in Wednesford to operate on a patient. Following this scene,
- Capture 17
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As World War I rages abroad, Jonathan takes Rachel (Dulcie Gray) for a drive onto the Shropshire hills . . . "Whenever I think of England, I think of this." Karl Harrison explains that this is a view from White Horse Hill which, at the time of filming, was in Berkshire but is now on the Wiltshire/Oxfordshire border. The shot moves 45 degrees from facing north-westward towards Highworth and Swindon to look north-east in the direction of Didcot.
- Capture 18
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Rachel and Jonathan return to the surgery in Wednesford after the their afternoon on the hills. This looks real enough but could possibly be another set.
- Capture 19
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Inside the house, the two find a telegram informing Jonathan of the death of his brother whilst on active service.