Nothing Barred

Whitebait Manor, home to Lord Whitebait who's family have fallen on hard times. Through the trees can be seen Littleton Park House at Shepperton Studios in Middlesex. The property can be seen in numerous other productions including 'The Spy with a Cold Nose', 'Allez France', 'Whoever Slew Auntie Roo?', 'Make Mine a Million' and 'The Earth Dies Screaming'.

Littleton House is now hidden behind the houses and a fence. SD

In an effort to raise some money, Lord Whtebait erects a sign advertising the house open to the public. Littleton Park gatehouse on Squire's Bridge Road was demolished in 1974 also seen in 'The Amorous Prawn', 'The Magnificent Six and ½, A Good Deed in Time', 'On the Fiddle' . . . .

. . . and also 'The House That Dripped Blood'. Now replaced by 1970's housing. SD

Peter Brewster brings Lord Whitebait's daughter Katherine home. Looking towards Squire's Bridge over the River Ash on Squire's Bridge Road, Littleton. The bridge can also be seen in 'The Night We Got the Bird', 'The Last Chapter' and 'The Looking Glass War'.

Taken from a similar viewpoint. SD

Lord Whitebait (Naunton Wayne) and his butler Spankworth (Charles Heslop) watch as Peter Brewster (Jack Watling) drives Lady Katherine (Ann Firbank) through the gateway. Littleton Park gatehouse on Squire's Bridge Road.

Not so easy to drive through the gateway now. SD

Deciding to stage a robbery to claim on the insurance, Lord Whitebait and Spankworth wait outside Wormwood Scrubs for a notorious criminal to be released. Du Cane Road in London W12.

Looking west. SJ

The two cross back to the gates when they see their man leave the prison. The buildings once stood on Du Cane Road opposite the main gate of Wormwood Scrubs.

Lord Whitebait and Spankworth approach the prison's plumber, Wilfred Sapling (Brian Rix), mistaking him for Jim Barger, the burglar that they want to employ. Wormwood Scrubs prison on Du Cane Road W12.

Now. SJ

Barger is eventually released and given a lift home by Warder Lockitt. NW corner of Christchurch Street, Chelsea, London SW3 identified by John Cobbett-Maddy. (RL)

The bollard is still painted white. (RL)

The prison van draws up outside Barger's home. As a result of notba008 this also has to be Christchurch Street, Chelsea says John. (RL)

Swap a Black Maria for a white van. (RL)

Jim Barger (Leo Franklyn) says goodbye to Warder Lockitt (John Slater) before going inside to find that his long suffering wife has taken in a lodger. This is, hopefully, 72 Christchurch Street, London SW3 (RL)

Yes it is! (RL)

Following confusion and a botched robbery after which Barger is incarcerated once again, Wilfred Sapling leaves the prison dressed as the burglar's wife. Wormwood Scrubs in the Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.

The same gateway taken by Antony Blair sixty years on.

To Warder Lockitt's surprise, the apparent lady mounts a bicycle. Other views of Wormwood Scrubs prison appear in 'Go to Blazes', 'Morgan, a Suitable Case for Treatment', 'Seven Green Bottles', 'A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square', 'Strictly Confidential', 'The Hi-Jackers', 'Man Accused', 'Doctor in Clover', 'Black Orchid', 'The Horse's Mouth', 'Hot Millions' and 'The Italian Job' amongst many other productions.

Turning left from the gates, Antony took this view.

Wilfred rides away after the visit with Barger at which an escape plan was explained. Looking towards Du Cane Road from the prison driveway.

The modern equivalent of the old Black Maria is captured by Antony Blair.

Lord Whitebait and Spankworth arrive to turn off the prison's water as the first part of the escape plan is put into action.

Disguised at water board officials, the two prepare to turn off the supply.

The pair turn the stop cock off which causes the prison Governor to phone Wilfred.

Wilfred arrives at the prison to make repairs, explaining that he has to open a manhole cover in the chapel.

Off-angle, keeping my distance. SJ

As Barger makes his way through the city's sewers, Wilfred follows his route by bike. The north side of Tedworth Square, London SW3 before redevelopment says John Cobbett-Maddy. (RL)

I know which frontage I prefer. (RL)

A manhole cover is opened to allow Barger, and the other prisoners that have followed him, to escape from the sewer system. Similar to notba018 looking more exactly towards the north east corner of Tedworth Square, London SW3. (RL)

The manhole remains. (RL)

Puzzled by Wilfred's actions, a Constable (Terry Scott) goes over to investigate. John Cobbett-Maddy identifies this as the house on the corner of Tedworth Square and Redburn Street, London SW3. (RL)

Roof line embellishment has gone. (RL)

When caught talking into the manhole, Wilfred explains that he's searching for his lost budgie. 31 Tedworth Square, London SW3 on the immediate right, identified by John Cobbett-Maddy. (RL)

They have swapped the colours of the doors but at least the wonderful fanlights have been retained. (RL)

Wilfred rides away to find another suitable manhole through which Barger can be released. Tedworth Square, London SW3 with Tite Street off to the right says John. (RL)

It is amazing how we ever survived without all those coloured lines in the road. (RL)

The Officer continues to walk his beat before coming across Wilfred again. The corner of Caversham Street and Christchurch Street, London SW3 says John Cobbett-Maddy and only 50 yards from notba009. Not surprisingly those pre-Fabs have been replaced. (RL)

Indeed so and the road signs confirm the location. (RL)

On this occasion, Barger's replies to Wilfred from below are explained away as being echoes. John Cobbett-Maddy has now found this one as well. The junction of Christchurch Street and Christchurch Terrace, SW3 (RL)

The tree hides most of the small gap in the terrace on Christchurch Street. Opposite The Surprise, if thirst descends during a visit. SJ

Leaving the prisoners down below, Wilfred cycles off once again.

Christchurch Street looking east. SJ

Wilfred finds another manhole. This is the pathway now styled as The Queen's Walk alongside the south bank of the Thames in SE1 with County Hall in the left background.

The same location by Peter.

While Wilfred opens the manhole and descends to find Barger, Anthony and Cleo approach. In the background stands the Shell Centre and the railway viaduct carrying the line between Charing Cross and Waterloo East stations.

Peter was at the same spot.

When his girlfriend falls down the open manhole, Anthony reports to a nearby Policeman . . . the same Constable who's suspicious of Wilfred. The Queen's Walk on the South Bank.

Not a vastly changed view in this image from Peter.

As the Officer pursues Wilfred underground, the man helps his partner from the manhole. Looking across the Thames with the Ministry of Defence Main Building on Whitehall SW1 in the background.

Peter provides this shot.

Elsewhere, a Sergeant (Alexander Gauge) directing traffic is distracted by singing coming from the sewers which causes a collision.

Still dressed as choristers, Barger and the other inmates follow Wilfred as he leads them from the sewers. Marble Arch at the junction of Bayswater Road, Oxford Street and Park Lane in W1 with Great Cumberland Place heading away to the right of centre.

Peter provides the modern comparison.

Alerted to the prison break, the police arrive. Cumberland Gate at the north-east corner of Hyde Park.

The same spot by Peter.

Officers search the crowd gathered at Speaker's Corner. Cumberland Gate in London W1. Speaker's Corner, Marble Arch and the area around can be seen in several films including ‘Two Gentlemen Sharing’, ‘Play Up the Band’, ‘Wanted for Murder’, ‘Profile’, ‘The Statue’, ‘Emil and the Detectives’, ‘Major Barbara’, ‘Baffled!’ and ‘John and Julie’.

Peter captured the same location facing Park Lane.

Wilfred and Barger make their escape by taking a police car. Cumberland Gate with Park Lane in the background.

Not much traffic to be seen in this shot from Peter.

In another part of town, the Sergeant is again directing traffic when a Rolls Royce carrying Bishops to a conference stops for them to ask for the time. Thames Street, Walton On Thames.

The only person standing in the road today was taking photos. SD

Not having his watch, the Sergeant holds his arm up to stop an approaching patrol car - the one being driven by Wilfred. 16-20 Bridge Street, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey (RL)

Same place now. SD

After finding out the time from Wilfred, the Sergeant calls to the Bishops.

The shop on Bridge Street now looking very different. SD

Waving their gratitude, the Bishops are driven away to their conference in Fulham.

Thames Street facing Mayo Road. SD

The Sergeant watches in horror as another two cars collide while Wilfred and Barger drive away. A United Dairies shop.

The corner of Thames Street and Mayo Road. The no entry sign should prevent this happening again. SD

After a false report is transmitted to headquarters by Barger, the car full of clerics is stopped by officers. Albert Embankment SE1 with Lambeth Bridge visible to the left.

Peter provides this clearer view of the location.

Across London, police officers search for fake water board staff. The corner of Radnor Walk and Redburn Street, London SW3 says John. (RL)

I think the time to trim the greenery is a little overdue. (RL)

Suspected of being accomplices, two workers are taken into custody. Another identification from John, Redburn Street looking east towards Tedworth Square, London SW3. (RL)

A spot on identification from John. (RL)

Looking for the escapees, a police van scours the streets. Chelsea Embankment in SW3 at the entrance to the South Grounds of the Royal Hospital with Chelsea Bridge in the distance.

The trees are a particular help here. SJ

Two more water board officials are about to be apprehended. The entrance to the Royal Hospital on Chelsea Embankment.

Now. SJ

Barger and Wilfred make it back to Whitebait Manor.

A wedding takes place. St. Luke's Church on Sydney Street, Chelsea. Also seen in 'The Idol'.

A cloudier day. SJ

The camera tilts down the church to find a police car and officers as well as the wedding car. St. Luke's Church on Sydney Street. Also seen in '101 Dalmatians'.

Now. SJ

Warder Lockitt walks beside Lady Katherine and Wilfred when they emerge from the church as man and wife. St. Luke's Church in Chelsea.

Now, looking north. SJ

Lord Whitebait, Spankworth and the Warder all smile at the bride and groom before the choir of prisoners is ordered into a waiting maria. Looking towards Sydney Street from St. Luke's Church, Chelsea.

Let's hope work is complete for a better shot soon. SJ

Lord Whitebait and Spankworth look out from the van as it leaves to return to prison. Outside St. Luke's Church on Sydney Street, Chelsea.

A rebuilt terrace on Sydney Street. SJ

As the prison van overtakes the happy couple, Wilfred discovers that Barger has taken the place of the wedding car's driver.

At a junction, the Sergeant looks on as the prison van collides with another vehicle.

Warders attempt to catch the escaping prisoners.

Police all over London are alerted and are on the lookout for the escapees. Albert Embankment with Lambeth Bridge in the left distance.

No police about when Peter visited.

A disguised prisoner prepares to run. Outside the London Fire Brigade Headquarters on Albert Embankment. The location was seen in ‘Where's That Fire!’ and ‘The Man Without a Body’.

The same place on the Embankment, found by Peter.

Another officer climbs steps to where Barger is posing as a newspaper vendor. Albert Embankment seen from Westminster Bridge.

Peter found the steps and the embankment a bit busier.

Barger is taken into custody. Across the River Thames stands the Houses of Parliament.

Luckily, Peter wasn't taken into custody.

Warder Lockitt searches for Lord Whitebait, Spankworth and Wilfred. Trafalgar Square WC2.

Peter was also in the much photographed Trafalgar Square.

The last three wanted men are spotted. Trafalgar Square with St Martin-in-the-Fields Church in the right background.

There was no one standing in the fountain when Peter visited.