Only When I Larf

A taxi drives through the streets of New York. Facing north on Madison Avenue between East 59th Street and East 60th Street in New York, New York.

Posing as the President and his staff of Amalgamated Minerals, Silas Lowther, Liz Mason and their accomplice Bob travel towards the office block where a room has been rented as part of their plan to cheat $250,000 from the Fun Fun Novelty Company.

The taxi heads south on Park Avenue. Park Avenue with Hotel Delmonico, now Trump Park Avenue, at the corner of East 59th Street on the right.

The cab nears the building where businessmen Jones and Poster are expecting to invest their money in Amalgamated Minerals. Facing north at the intersection of Park Avenue and East 60th Street with Christ Church to the left.

While Bob pays the Driver, Silas Lowther (Richard Attenborough) and Liz Mason (Alexandra Stewart) get out of the cab and enter the building where their targets will soon arrive. Park Avenue with East 57th Street crossing in the background. The location also appears in 'Eyes Wide Shut'.

Leaving Silas with the businessmen after their cheque is placed in a fake safe, Bob and Liz exit the building and take a taxi to catch the helicopter to JFK Airport and a flight to London. Looking southward on Park Avenue to the north of East 54th Street.

Excusing himself to his victims while he leaves the office for a moment, Silas appears on the roof of the Pan Am Building and joins Bob and Liz in the helicopter. The helipad on the roof of the Pan Am Building, now the Met Life Building, in Manhattan.

The helicopter takes off as Poster and Jones discover that they have been conned. A longer shot of the Pan Am Building at 200 Park Avenue in Manhattan, New York City, New York. The building also appears in ‘On a Clear Day You Can See Forever’, ‘Coogan's Bluff’, ‘Grand Slam’, ‘Highlander’, ‘The French Connection’, ‘Armageddon’ and ‘Catch Me If You Can’.

Arriving in London, the gang take accommodation near the Tower of London. The view of Tower Bridge from the Tower Hotel on St. Katherine’s Way in E1... And a real view, according to associate producer Hugh Attwooll, who built a three storey-high set taking four weeks to avoid back projection. Info from John Harwood (SJ)

Using her womanly charms, Liz tags along with Gee Gee Gray (Terence Alexander) on the weekend that he entertains the War Minister and a General from the African nation of Magazarian.

Eba Awana (Edric Connor) and General Sakut (Clifton Jones) amuse themselves while Liz leads GG into believing that she can swing an illegal arms deal. The Orangery, Holland Park in London W8. The location is also seen 'The Mine and the Minotaur', ‘The Big Sleep’, 'Full Circle', 'Sweeney!', 'Who Dares Wins' and ‘Every Home Should Have One’.

In his army surplus yard, Mr. Caplan (David Lodge) drives an armoured car towards Silas and Bob (David Hemmings).

Silas tells Bob to have a go at driving the armoured car.

As Bob speeds through the yard, Caplan dodges out of his way.

Posing as Brigadier Lowther, Silas meets GG, Awana and his General at a press demonstration of a new weapon. Chobham Common north of Chobham in Surrey. The often used location is also seen in ‘Carry On Cowboy’, 'Castle in the Air', 'Don't Panic Chaps!', 'Fury at Smuggler's Bay', 'The Break', ‘The Night Caller’ and 1971’s 'Dad's Army'.

In a west London scrap yard, Bob oversees the loading of ‘arms’ bound for Magazaria onto a railway wagon. The track layout suggests that this is the rail connected scrap metal yard to the east of White City Central Line station in W12.

Silas walks across to mark the crate containing real guns. This appears to be facing east from the scrap yard towards the West Cross Route with what seems to be Dixon House or Markland House under construction in the left distance.

To finalise the deal, Bob drives Silas to meet with Awana. Looking towards Pall Mall and Regent Street beyond from Waterloo Place in SW1.

Peter visited the same location on sunny September day.

Panning with the vehicle brings the corner of Waterloo Place and Carlton House Terrace into frame. The area is also seen in ‘Man On the Run’, ‘Murder Without Crime’, 'Kingsman: The Golden Circle', ‘The Wings of the Dove’, 'Absolute Beginners', ‘Nothing But the Best’, ‘Gaolbreak’, ‘That Riviera Touch’ and other productions.

Some lovely roadworks here. SJ

The car is brought to a stand outside the Magazarian Embassy. Carlton House Terrace with Waterloo Place to the left.

Let us admire the John Fox Burgoyne statue instead of the mess. SJ

Bob gets out of the car to open the door for his 'Brigadier'. Outside number 8 Carlton Hose Terrace in SW1.

The same location today, photographed by Peter.

Bob turns when his old friend Spider calls to him outside the Chester Hotel where he works and another opportunity presents itself.

Followed by Diana Marsh (Melissa Stribling) and Silas, Bob begins to get to know Spencer (Nicholas Pennell) whilst playing a round of golf. Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club in Old Deer Park, Richmond, London, with the King’s Observatory in the left background, identified by Steve Randall.

A meeting is set up after Spencer is enticed by a dodgy deal involving bearer bonds. The dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral on Ludgate Hill EC4.

Peter took this view of the dome without added scaffolding.

Disguised as a Mr. Hamid, a Lebanese bank manager, Silas discusses arrangements with Spencer. Festival Gardens surrounded by St. Paul’s Churchyard, Cannon Street and New Change with St. Paul’s Cathedral in the background. The gardens and water feature also appear in ‘Up Jumped a Swagman’.

With autumn beginning to take effect on the foliage, Peter captured a similar view.

Spencer explains that he will be the one supplying £500,000 to close the deal. The Festival Gardens, St. Paul’s Churchyard in EC4 he since demolished Gateway House in the background.

A black cab brings an undisguised Silas to the meeting with Bob that Spencer has just attended. Bressenden Place SW1 with The Stag public house in the left background. Opening in 1963, the pub recalled the Stag Brewery that once stood on the site but was closed and demolished in 2012.

Most of the modern stuff has been replaced by more modern stuff.But we can be excited about the centre which shows a survivor on the corner of Bressenden Place and Warwick Row. SJ

As they feed the birds in Chelsea, Bob suggests to Liz that they should split the money two ways. Chelsea Embankment in SW3 with Albert Bridge crossing the Thames in the background. The bridge appears in many productions including ‘Touch and Go’, ‘The Party’s Over’, ‘The Mutations’, ‘The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom’, ‘Sympathy for the Devil’ and ‘A Clockwork Orange’.

The lifebelt housing at least brings a dash of colour. (RL)

The action moves to the Middle East. Looking across the Mediterranean Sea from Beirut Harbour in Lebanon.

At the harbour-side bar of the Phoenicia Hotel, Silas draws Bank Official Mr. Ladah into his scheme. The harbour in Beirut with the bell tower of the Saint Louis Cathedral of the Capuchin Fathers in the right distance.

In a feigned confidence, Silas explains that he's not staying at the Phoenicia but at a small hotel along the coast.

Silas and the Mr. Ladah (Gaston Chikhani) are driven to the bank where he works. Martyrs' Square in Beirut, Lebanon, which can also be seen during 'Where the Spies Are'.

The car drops Mr. Ladah is dropped off outside Credit Central Du Liban.

Silas drives to the airport to collect Liz and Bob. Tahouitet El Ghadir leading to Beirut International Airport to the south of the city.

The Land Rover is brought to a stand as the crook’s colleagues appear from the terminal. Beirut International Airport, a location that also features in 'Where the Spies Are'.

In the Lebanese capital, Liz and Bob enjoy a spot of water skiing while their relationship flourishes.

On the day of the swindle, Silas and Bob leave their hotel followed by Liz. In front of the Phoenicia Inter-Continental Hotel on Fakhreddine, Beirut in Lebanon.

Bob drives his fellow criminals to the Credit Central Du Liban. Facing north on on Fakhreddine.

The Land Rover passes through the city . . . . This is Riad El Solh Square with the track of the tramway system that closed in 1965 still embedded in the road.

. . . . . passing the statue of Riad El Solh. Riad El Solh Square with the Pan Am building in the right background. The statue was removed during the Lebanese Civil War and returned to the square in 1998.

Bob pulls over, parking at the rear of the bank where Mr. Ladah has his office. Looking north on Capuchins Street in Beirut with the bell tower of the Saint Louis Cathedral of the Capuchin Fathers in the background.

Telling Bob to wait until 12.30, Silas gets out of the Land Rover. Looking toward Bank Street from Capuchins Street with with Ministry of Telecommunications building at the corner of Riad El Solh and Cheikh Mohammad El Jisr in the right background.

Silas sets off to the bank. Capuchins Street with the Council for Development and reconstruction building to the left.

These steps lead from Capuchins Street to Bank Street with the rear of banks facing Riad El Solh road in the background. The street names used are those that appear on Google Maps and may not be a direct translation of the actual names.

Looking up the steps alongside the ruins of the Roman Baths with the Grand Serail clock tower in the left background.

Turning into the bank, Silas meets Spencer inside before walking away with a briefcase full of money . . . . . accompanied by Miss Marsh.

Following another successful caper, Silas, Bob, Liz and Diana head out of Beirut. This is the Al-Bass necropolis in Tyre, Lebanon with the restored ‘Arc de Triomphe’ to the right.

While Liz walks away from the Land Rover, Silas suggests to Bob that a share of the proceeds are offered to Diana. The Roman Al-Bass ruins were discovered in 1962 and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

Leaving Silas and Diana in the vehicle to discuss the situation, Bob joins Liz before she carries out a final double-cross. The Al-Bass archaeological site in Tyre, some 50 miles south of Beirut in Lebanon.