Nowhere to Go

As Victor Sloane parks his car nearby, the afternoon shift leaves the prison where Paul Gregory is in the middle of a ten year sentence. This is a matted shot depicting, what appears to be, Wandsworth Prison in south-west London.

SW18 now. SJ

From the platform of a derelict station, Victor Sloane (Bernard Lee) watches as the warders walk away. The book 'Horton's Guide to Britain's Railways in Feature Films' identifies this as the disused platforms at Kew Bridge station in London W4.

The warders follow the prison's perimeter wall. The curve from New Kew Junction to Kew East Junction was opened by the N&SWJR in 1862. The LSWR built platforms on this curve adjacent to their, then named, Kew station.

The high wall is that of Brentford Market which occupied the land between the railway, the Great West Road and what was the Chiswick High Road section of the North Circular, since renamed the South Circular Road.

Having scaled the wall and entered the prison, Sloane keeps to the shadows as the lights are switched off by a warder. Anthony McKay advises that the prison sequences were shot at MGM Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.

Another warder descends iron steps, not noticing Sloane's rope. Anthony McKay explains that nearly all the 'prison's' external shots are augmented with matte effects but the stages and ancillary buildings at MGM that form the basis of the location are easily identifiable

The warder walks away as the camera begins to pan left. MGM Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire located by Anthony McKay.

The lens finds Sloane as he runs back to the hanging rope and makes his way from the prison. Identified by Anthony McKay, this is MGM Studios on Elstree Way in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.

Having successfully planted explosives outside Gregory's cell window, Sloane makes his way back onto the station platform. The station was renamed Kew Bridge in 1868 and services continued to operate over this section of line until 1940 when these platforms were taken out of use.

A general view of the disused part of the station with platform 4 to the right. (PW)

Sloane walks away into the night, leaving his car behind for Gregory. The disused platform 3 at Kew Bridge station.

According to John Harwood's Historic Rail sites link this building site is the place where platforms 3 & 4 stood. (SJ)

After his escape from prison, Paul Gregory (George Nader) heads to the apartment prepared for him by Sloane where he takes a bath and recalls the events that led to his confinement.

In flashback, Gregory reads a newspaper article about Mrs. Harriet Jefferson's valuable coin collection after contriving to meet the wealthy Canadian at an Ice Hockey match. Antony Blair identifies this as alongside Empire Pool and Sports Arena on Engineers Way in Wembley, Middlesex.

And replacing his own Google view, Antony provides this shot of what has become the SSE Arena at Wembley . . . . although this is not the side of the building as he first thought but the front entrance.

Having gained her confidence, Paul Gregory suggests to Harriet P. Jefferson (Bessie Love) that he sells her collection through a friend of his. Egerton Crescent in London SW3.

A little blurred as I was a house too far away. SJ

Following a meeting with Gregory's friend, con-man Victor Sloane, Harriet authorises the sale of her coins before leaving London for the weekend. Marylebone station in London NW1 which has been seen in numerous productions including 'A Hard Day's Night', 'Carry On Girls' and 'Smashing Time'.

An accurate comparison isn't possible as the platform no longer exists in it's past form. (PW)

Before the train departs, Harriet asks that her new friend visits her at the cottage on Monday.

Without the ability to walk through walls this is the best possible modern equivalent. (PW)

On Monday, Gregory arrives in the street where Mrs. Jefferson lives. The corner of Egerton Crescent and Egerton Gardens with Brompton Road and Alexander Square beyond.

Now. SJ

The Austin is parked a few doors away from Harriet's house. Egerton Crescent in Knightsbridge.

Now. SJ

Gregory telephones Agnes the maid, asking her to come to Aylesbury as Mrs. Jefferson has had an asthma attack. Egerton Crescent, London SW3.

They did well to squeeze in a phone box all those years ago. SJ

After taking the coin collection to a dealer, Gregory drives into London to deposit the cash that he's gained from the sale.

Southampton Street in WC2. (PW)

The car is parked in a busy side street. Southampton Street with Covent Garden rising in the background.

From the best angle possible, what with refurbishment work to the left and a building constructed during the intervening years to the right. (PW)

Having put on a pair of orthopedic shoes, Gregory limps away. Tavistock Street at the junction with Southampton Street.

The same corner. (PW)

Gregory reaches the department store where the proceeds of his confidence trick are expected to rest for five years. Facing west outside Selfridges & Co. on Oxford Street W1.

Peter clearly chose a time when the shops were closed. (RL)

The crook returns from the department store after a quick drink with Sloane. Looking along Tavistock Street with Bow Street in the distance.

Still a one-way street, but in the opposite direction. (PW)

Just as Gregory is about to get back into his car, Inspector Scott (Geoffrey Keen) appears behind. Facing Henrietta Street from Southampton Street in WC2.

Thankfully still standing after almost sixty years, Covent Garden has a different use now. (PW)

With his plan working so far, Gregory is driven away to be charged before appearing in court and receiving double the anticipated five year sentence. Tavistock Street looking towards Southampton Street.

From as similar a viewpoint as parked cars allow. (PW)

In the present, antagonising Sloane after failing to recover the cash from the department store, Gregory enters a pet shop where Shopkeeper (Lionel Jeffries) is serving a young lad.

Having bought sand and stolen the acrylic film from a counter display, Gregory finds a telephone box and calls Sloane's number. Marylebone Road NW1 with St. Marylebone Parish Church in the background. The church also appears in 'Say Hello to Yesterday' and 'Incense for the Damned'.

Peter admits that he should have been a little closer for this one.

When the phone is picked up after Gregory rings off, he heads to the apartment believing it to be unoccupied.

The shot I overlooked in 2017. (RL)

The camera follows Gregory as he crosses the service road.

North Gate, Prince Albert Road, London NW8, totally overlooking the fact that 028 was required as well! (RL)

Inside the building, Gregory uses the stolen acrylic to open the apartment's locked door and finds Mary, who faints, before he sets a trap for Sloane.

This may well be the wrong entrance, they are all the same but this was the clearest to capture correctly. North Gate, Prince Albert Road, London NW8 (RL)

Gregory visits the library to look through back copies of The Times to find a suitable home to occupy. Westminster Reference Library on St. Martin's Street WC2. The doorway was also glimpsed in 'Blackout'.

Currently the best angle possible of the entrance due to building work. (PW)

Having checked that their phone isn't answered, Gregory arrives outside the vacated home of Sir Malcolm and Lady MacKinnon who are away in Spain. Just as detailed in The Times, this is Prince's Gardens, London SW7.

Operating on the background match here. The east side of Prince's Gardens. SJ

As the rain pours down, Gregory makes his way to where he can see his bunch of keys in the light. Prince's Gardens in Kensington. This side of the square has been redeveloped.

Using guesswork a little here. SJ

A Policeman (John Turner) approaches and becomes suspicious before Gregory strikes him to the floor. Richard Stirling identifies this as the south-east corner of Princes Gardens in SW7, looking towards the steep alleyway leading to Ennismore Gardens Mews.

The garden fences in Richard's comparison are now covered in foliage, but is is the same lamppost, slightly repositioned.

The following morning, two police cars enter the mews behind Prince's Gardens. Looking towards Ennismore Gardens from Ennismore Gardens Mews SW7 with the entrance to Kingston House garage to the top left.

From ground level rather than the roof of the extraordinarily narrow building where the original cameraman must have been. SJ

After being woken by a cat, Gregory spots Inspector Scott get out of one of the cars. Ennismore Gardens Mews in Kensington where the left hand buildings in the mews have since been replaced. The mews also feature in 'That Kind of Girl', 'The Sex Thief', 'The Fourth Square', 'Stock Car', 'The Guilty Party', 'The Vicious Circle' and 'Frenzy'.

Continuing down. SJ

Leaving through a rear door, Gregory escapes from the MacKinnon's house. Facing south along the rear of Ennismore Gardens Mews, towards the back of the Victoria & Albert Museum in the distance located by Richard Stirling.

Richard captured this view looking south along the gulley between the replacement buildings of the Imperial College Halls of Residence to the east side of Princes Gardens on the right and the surviving mews houses to the left.

A way down from the roof is sought.

Spotting police at the end of the mews, Gregory releases the handbrake of a parked car. Facing east on Prince's Gate Mews. The waste ground has since been built on.

Off angle to avoid the since developed corner. SJ

Finding a chauffeur's uniform, Gregory takes a car from one of the mews' garages.

Not 100% sure but I like the match of the upper windows on the left. SJ

Police investigate when the car crashes into a van after rolling forward. Prince's Gate Mews, Kensington.

Most windows replaced. SJ

Gregory speeds away as the police struggle to move the crashed car. Prince's Gate Mews, London SW7.

Not sure where he's going, as this leads to only a pedestrian path now. SJ

On The Mall, Gregory waits as a car bringing Danny Sullivan and George Bendel turns to stop next to him. The Mall in SW1 with The Citadel to the left and Horse Guards Road in the background.

The same location by Peter who adds "This is best shot that I could get due to the vegetation. The monolith on the left is the Police Memorial for those killed on duty".

Gregory waits for the car to come to a halt before getting in to ask Sullivan to help him obtain a passport. The Mall with Admiralty Arch, the Admiralty Extension and the Citadel providing the background.

Peter found that greenery and traffic blot out the view now.

After learning that Sloane had died after being tied up, Gregory gets out of the Jaguar Mark VII. The Mall with St. James's Park in the background.

The location now photographed by Peter.

Danny Sullivan is driven away leaving Gregory at the side of the road. From this angle, The Mall and Admiralty Arch were also seen in 'That Riviera Touch'.

Peter captures the same scene, with added taxis.

Responsible for Sloane's death, Gregory walks away to retrieve the money from the safe deposit. Facing south-west on The Mall SW1 with Carlton House Terrace on the right.

A similar view now, by Peter.

Gregory fights his way through shoppers as he heads back to the department store. Outside Selfridges on London's Oxford Street.

The crowd all seem to be going away from Peter but the bus stop remains in place. (RL)

Discovering that Sloane had switched the deposit box keys and that he can't access the money, Gregory walks the streets. Dave W places this as Seven Dials, London WC2 also seen in 'On the Beat', 'Last Christmas', 'Man on the Run' and 'The Naked Truth'. (RL)

Gregory enters a chemist's shop. Old Compton Street in London's Soho.

Peter found that Belgo is the latest venue to replace Pennarts at 29 but it looks like the lamp-post has survived.

The fugitive looks up as a young woman bids her boyfriend goodnight. In the left distance is the Casino Cinerama Theatre, now the Prince Edward Theatre, which makes this Old Compton Street in W1, a location that features in 'The Boys', 'Saturday Night Out', 'The Small World of Sammy Lee', 'Go for a Take', 'Up Jumped a Swagman', 'Street of Shadows' and 'Melody'.

With thanks to Peter we have daylight colour shot of the location today. (RL)

Following a call from Gregory, Bridget Howard (Maggie Smith) gets into her car and drives to meet him.

After Gregory doesn't turn up at Kensington Air Terminal, the disillusioned ex-débutante gets back into her car to find him waiting on the rear seat. The now lost location is better known as British European Airways' West London Air Terminal on Cromwell Road SW7 and has been seen in other films including 'Billion Dollar Brain', 'Subterfuge' and 'Three Hats for Lisa'.

Couldn't make out the angle so here's an all purpose shot of the site now. SJ

Bridget pulls into a petrol station whilst driving the two of them to Brecon in Wales after agreeing to help.

The Garage Attendant (Lane Meddick) returns to his office after taking payment.

Bridget drives the Renault Dauphine away and the long journey continues through the night.

Morning dawns as the pair near their destination. Michael Lost locates this as looking down onto Beacon Road a it snakes through Buckinghamshire with Ivinghoe Beacon to the right

Very little has changed since 1958 in Michael's comparison.

Leaving Gregory to lay low at a deserted cottage in the nearby hills, the young socialite drives on to her family home. The portico of Gadebridge House near Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire identified by Michael Lost.

Bridget glances over to the parked police car before entering Wensley House where she finds her Uncle Tom Howard waiting with Inspector Scott. The entrance to Gadebridge House at Gadebridge found by Michael Lost.

From his hideout, Gregory sees Bridget accompany the police officers to their car. Gadebridge House in Hertfordshire recognised by Michael Lost who adds that the property was demolished in the 1960s and Gadebridge Park now occupies the 150 acre estate.

Believing Bridget to have betrayed him, Gregory leaves the cottage. Moving to the other side of Beacon Road from Ivinghoe Beacon is a trackway which Michael Lost believes is this location.

Michael provides this shot in support.

Gregory approaches a remote farm. Down Farm on Stocks Road between Aldbury and Ivinghoe in Buckinghamshire discovered by Michael Lost.

The track is a public footpath so Michael was able to take this comparison.

Armed with a shotgun, a Gamekeeper (Beckett Bould) enters the shed where Gregory is attempting to steal a bicycle. Looking out from one of the buildings at Down Farm on Stocks Road, Aldbury located by Michael Lost.

Not knowing Paul Gregory's fate, Bridget walks onto the hills near her home. In the distance, three tall chimneys billow smoke into the sky. Peter Jeffries surmises that this is unlikely to be anywhere in Wales as a trip that far from the studio would have eaten up the production budget. Ivinghoe Beacon identified by Michael Lost who advises that Pitstone Windmill is just about visible to the left of the actress's head.

The view now, taken by Michael.

A closer view of the distant chimneys. Confirmed by Michael Lost, Peter Jeffries advises that this scene was shot near the Hertfordshire / Buckinghamshire border around Ivinghoe Beacon adding that the chimneys in the distance were the old Tunnel Cement factory in Pitstone, Buckinghamshire which was demolished in 1999.