No Smoking

American Hal Hurst comes to a stand beneath a finger post and lights up a cigarette before continuing on his way to fictional Kinneford.

The former USAAF fighter pilot arrives at his destination. Looking towards Pheasant Hill, Chalfont St. Giles in Buckinghamshire.

The same view from ground level by Antony Blair (AB).

On leave from his advertising job for three weeks, Hal turns to park outside the village inn. The northern end of The Green in Chalfont St. Giles.

Antony continues his visit to the village.

Hal Hurst (Peter Martyn) greets a Local (Hal Osmond) before entering the inn to find that hardly anyone in the village smokes. The frontage of the Merlin’s Cave Hotel fills the background.

The building has survived the progress of time. (AB)

While dusting down his car, tobacconist George Pogson (Lionel Jeffries) spots Milly as she crosses the green from the inn. The Green, Chalfont St. Giles.

Windows have been added to the rooves. (AB)

On her way to meet chemist Reg Bates, Milly Dawson (Myrtle Rowe) turns towards George when he calls to her. On The Green opposite the Merlin’s Cave Hotel with the establishment’s sign to the left.

Take from outside The Merlin's Cave. (AB)

Ready to give Milly a lift to the farm, Reg Bates (Reg Dixon) comes out of his shop. Looking towards the south-west on High Street. In the left background stands The Crown public house which also features in ‘Dad’s Army’ from 1971, 'Lost' and ‘The Big Job’ while other views of the village feature in ‘The Black Cat’, 'The Big Job', 'Poison Pen' and 'Stranger in Town'.

The same row of shops. (AB)

Lying to Milly that Reg had already departed, George persuades her into his car. The Green in Chalfont St. Giles.

The alterations to the roof are more apparent in this image. (AB)

Too late, Reg calls over to Milly as the car door closes. Facing The Green and the tower of St. Giles church.

Antony provides this view of the village green.

Competing for the single woman's attention, George drives away with Milly. The northern end of The Green with the back of the village sign to the right.

A few changes to the street furniture. (AB)

Returning after making a delivery of 'no smoking' pills to Dr. Moxom, Reg passes his dream home, Clover Cottage. Old Beams on Three Households, Chalfont St Giles.

Helped by Hal, Reg prepares to mass produce the no smoking cure that he has invented.

Contemplating George's proposition of marriage, Milly walks through the village. High Street in Chalfont St. Giles.

As can be seen, the buildings to the right have since been replaced. (AB)

When news of the smoking cure reaches the tobacco industry, W.H. Wellington-Simpson decides to act after paying a visit to Reg's factory. This is the northbound platform at Denham station in Buckinghamshire and the train is formed of LNER quint-art coaching stock.

The best view possible from the re-positioned northbound platform. (AB)

Under cover, Miss Tonkins (Belinda Lee) arrives in Kinneford to get hold of Reg's formula for his 'no smoking' pills. The down side platform at Denham station off North Orbital Road in Denham Green. Various parts of the station also appear in 'Dark Places', 'The Passing Stranger', 'The Chiltern Hundreds', 'This Happy Breed' and 'Bad Blonde'.

The young woman causes a stir as she walks through the village. The northern end of High Street in Chalfont St. Giles.

No young women in Antony's view, just the more recent addition of a library in the background. (AB)

Turning his gaze towards the blonde, a delivery boy veers from the road to end up in the pond. The bank of the village pond with Pond House on High Street in the background. Note the unfinished building to the extreme right.

The completed building still stands on the right. (AB)

An elderly Villager (Wallace Bosco) puts his newspaper away to watch Miss Tonkins walk towards Reg's shop. Pond House stands to the left.

An up to date view of the building. (AB)

A Wife drags her ogling Husband into their house. This cottage stands on High Street, opposite the pond.

There's a mature display of greenery around the front door now. (AB)

After Wellington-Simpson's ploy succeeds, Reg leaves his shop to collect 'Ingredient X' for the next batch of pills. High Street in Chalfont St. Giles.

The High Street captured 64 years later by AB.

Whilst smoking outside the pub, George spots his adversary heading towards the village pond. This is in front of the Merlin’s Cave Hotel on The Green, High Street.

An enlarged pavement makes for al fresco drinking. (AB)

As violence erupts in the States as depicted by a borrowed scene from 'Three Steps to the Gallows', George confronts his rival after purchasing the pond when he discovers that the water is being used for the chemist's experiments. The pond fed from the River Misbourne in Chalfont St. Giles.

The same location now. (AB)

The tobacconist indicates a new sign being erected on the bank. The film shows the property behind the sign under construction which, here, has the roof almost completed.

Taken from a similar viewpoint by Antony.

The BBC broadcasts news of the threat of war by the USA if production of Bates's pills isn't stopped. A stock shot of Broadcasting House on Portland Place, London W1.

Our London correspondent, Peter, captures the building from a similar position.

Having discovered that he and everyone else has a right decreed by King John to take water from the pond, Reg strides across the road from the pub. Looking across the pond from High Street with properties on London Road in the right distance.

The pond is still loosely fenced in. (AB)

George Poxon runs after Reg followed by villagers and a Reporter from the BBC. The Green in Chalfont St. Giles.

Now crowded with cars instead of people. (AB)

All turns out well in the end with Reg winning Milly's affection and the two getting married. High Street in Chalfont St. Giles, Buckinghamshire with the Post Office to the right.

Antony Blair concludes his visit to Chalfont St. Giles with this shot.