My Learned Friend
Date: 1943
Director: Basil Dearden and Will Hay
Production Company: Ealing Studios
Stars: Will Hay, Claude Hulbert, Mervyn Johns
Location(s): London
Region(s): London M-N
Storyline:
A disbarred barrister is on the list of a mad killer who is murdering the men he sees as responsible for his imprisonment.
Additional Information:
Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
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
- 23 Feb 2022
In chambers, Claude Babbington is reluctantly given the job of defending William Fitch, a former barrister who is charged with obtaining money under false pretenses. Enlarging upon the caption, this is looking west along Crown Office Row from Kings Bench Walk in Inner Temple EC4 with Inner Temple Hall to the right and the Paper Building to the extreme left. The hall was destroyed by bombing in the early 1940s. Other views of the location feature in 'Mr. Quilp', 'Love Among the Ruins', 'School for Scoundrels', 'The Tyburn Case', 'The Man Who Wouldn’t Talk’, ‘Brothers in Law’ and 1969's 'David Copperfield'.
A somewhat reconfigured view following the ravages of war but the Paper Building remains to left and needless to say, builders to the right. (RL)
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
Held at gunpoint by Arthur Grimshaw, Claude Babbington and William Fitch drive away after attending the inquest of Lord Chelsfield. Dave W rises to his daily challenge and provides us with the location here as, Wilton Way, London E8 looking west towards the Royal Oak pub (as was) and the rear elevation of 27 Horton Road confirming the orientation. (RL)
- Capture 3
- 'Now' required
Grimshaw tells Claude to drop him off at the next corner. With Capture 2 in the bag Dave moves us further west along Wilton Way with the kerb of Lansdowne Drive just visible behind the "School" sign. (RL)
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required
As he gets out of Claude's car, the newly released prisoner gives a clue as to which of the men who helped to incarcerate him will be executed next. Dave pans right with the camera to tell us that Claude has stopped in the vicinity of 45 Wilton Way. (RL)
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
Following the demise of Dr. Scudamore at Maybury Court Mental Retreat, Claude drives home to his apartment with William where they find a message from Grimshaw painted on the ceiling.
- Capture 6
- 29 Mar 2022
Clues lead to the Houses of Parliament where Claude and William escape onto the clock face of Big Ben when being shot at by Grimshaw. Looking down onto the corner of Bridge Street and Victoria Embankment in SW1.
I was rather hoping that one of the workers on the Elizabeth Tower was an RS fan and take a lofty comparison for us but now that the scaffolding's finally down, we'll have to settle for a ground view shot of the redeveloped corner. SJ
- Capture 7
- 29 Mar 2022
In the studio, William Fitch (Will Hay) holds onto the clock face as a projection looking east over Westminster Bridge plays in the background.
And another ground view shot, this time of the projection behind Will Hay. SJ