Night Boat to Dublin
Date: 1946
Director: Lawrence Huntington
Production Company: Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC)
Stars: Robert Newton, Raymond Lovell, Muriel Pavlow, Leslie Dwyer, Guy Middleton
Location(s): Devon, London
Region(s): London M-N, South West
Storyline:
During the Second World War an intelligence operation is mounted to rescue a Swedish scientist from the enemy.
Additional Information:
Screen captures uploaded by Phil Wilkinson from source material provided by Bob Nicholls
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
- 'Now' required
The film starts with a panning shot that begins on the junction of Petty Wales and Lower Thames Street, London EC3 with the 1920's reconstruction of the Tower Subway entrance to the right of centre. Originally built as a cable railway between here and Vine Lane SE1 in 1870, the subway was soon converted to a pedestrian tunnel.
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
The shot continues, bringing Tower Bridge into view. The bridge was opened in 1894 and was the cause of the Tower Subway's closure four years later.
- Capture 3
- 'Now' required
The pan settles on the Tower of London in EC3 where Frederick Jannings is about to be executed for espionage after refusing to reveal the whereabouts of Professor Hansen.
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required
Ship's Steward George Leggett makes his way home after the crossing from Dublin. Unidentified location.
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
Marion Decker (Muriel Pavlow) arrives outside Paul Faber’s consultancy firm. Unknown location.
- Capture 6
- 'Now' required
The young woman pauses before entering to meet with Faber, a key character in the search for Hansen.
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
Working undercover in Faber's organisation, Captain David Grant and Marion arrive by taxi at the registry office where the two are to enter into a marriage of convenience at the demand of Faber. Unidentified location.
- Capture 8
- 'Now' required
Captain Grant (Robert Newton) pays Taxi Driver (Wilfrid Hyde-White).
- Capture 9
- 'Now' required
Grant and Marion enter the registry office.
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required
An over-corrected night shot reveals Captain Grant climbing down from a bridge onto the railway. Possibly a matted shot.
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
Still working in the employ of Faber, Grant makes his way across the tracks to a warehouse.
- Capture 12
- 04 Oct 2018
Marion watches from the window of the couple's flat as Grant leaves to buy a newspaper. Bloomsbury Square towards Bedford Place, London WC1. (RL)
Bloomsbury Square towards Bedford Place, London WC1 from ground level. (RL)
- Capture 13
- 'Now' required
Captain Grant returns to Faber's house. Looks like a studio set but who knows, it may be a real street.
- Capture 14
- 'Now' required
George Leggett (Leslie Dwyer) arrives to bribe Faber after hiding him on the ship crossing from Dublin.
- Capture 15
- 'Now' required
Faber's henchman, Bowman (John Ruddock), watches Leggett as he enters the building.
- Capture 16
- 19 Feb 2014
Military Intelligence officers wait after receiving information that Grant and Faber are to catch a train to Devon. Waterloo station in London SE1.
With all the changes it is almost impossible to obtain an accurate shot. (RL)
- Capture 17
- 21 Jul 2023
The train departs without Faber and Grant.
John Harwood submitted this comparison. (SJ)
- Capture 18
- 15 Jul 2017
Faber, Bowman and Grant are driven to Devon after it's discovered that the Captain is working for Military Intelligence.
Location identified as Lynmouth, North Devon by David Collins. He advises that it was filmed before the horrific flooding of 1952. This up to date shot from Lionel and Cynthia Sear shows the direct Barbrook to Lynmouth road at the bottom where it comes into Lynmouth. A poignant image in view of what happened in 1952. This replaces the supporting Wikipedia image provided by David. (RL)
- Capture 19
- 15 Jul 2017
The car continues through the countryside. Patricia Sennett advises that filming took place where she was born at Woody Bay in the Valley of Rocks near Lynton in Devon and adds that the cast helped towards her baby layette during the hard years after the war.
Identified by David Collins as Castle Rock, Valley of the Rocks, Lynton, North Devon. Castle Rock indeed say Lionel and Cynthia. Out of view to their left is Mother Meldrum's Cave as referenced in "Lorna Doone". This replaces the interim photo from geograph.org.uk provided by David. (RL)
- Capture 20
- 15 Jul 2017
Nearing the end of the journey. A further identification from David who says that this is the coastline slightly further west than Castle Rock (nibodu019). John Griffiths also suggests the same area. An appropriate photo can be seen on the "southwestcoastpath.org.uk website. Andy Fawcett confirms that it is indeed Lee Abbey between the Valley of the Rocks and Lee Bay as confirmed by Lionel and Cynthia with their "now" shot. (RL)
Lionel and Cynthia say that this is Lee Abbey that is between Castle Rock and Woody Bay on the toll road. (RL)
- Capture 21
- 15 Jul 2017
Faber's car enters the former monastery where Hansen is being held. Andy also confirms that it is Lee Abbey as found by Lionel and Cynthia. In fact he believes it is the old entrance to before it was converted in 1946. (RL)
The Abbey, Lionel and Cynthia tell us, is now a Christian retreat and outside activities centre. (RL)
- Capture 22
- 'Now' required
After the Professor is found, Intelligence Officers arrive and search for Faber as he attempts to escape.