Operation Cupid

At the racecourse, bookmaker Tom Erley ands over £300 to Charlie Stevens and his mates Cecil and Mervyn after 100/1 outsider Waltzing Matilda wins. Peter Brown 2 collates the evidence here and in subsequent frames to identify this as Sandown Park. (RL)

John Harwood found new railing, new stand and probably new turf. (SJ)

Discovering that they had been diddled out of their winnings by the bookie, Charlie Stevens (Charles Farrell), Mervyn Bloodworthy (Harold Goodwin) and Cecil Burke (Wallas Eaton) leave the pub in which they have been taking with Daniel Cupid and climb into an Austin A40 parked outside. To the right is the entrance to the gardens of Queens Head Hotel on The Embankment in Twickenham, Middlesex. Since 1970 the hotel has been called The Barmy Arms.

The garden at The Embankment outside the Barmy Arms looking more cluttered and busy on a sunny autumn afternoon. (SR)

Mr. Daniel Cupid (Charles Clay) tells his new acquaintances that the Rolls Royce is his car. Facing south-west on The Embankment alongside the Thames in Twickenham with the bridge to Eel Pie Island in the left background. The area can also be seen in 'A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square', 'Strictly Confidential', 'Fumo di Londra', ‘Fool's Gold: The Story of the Brink's-Mat Robbery’ and ‘Dunkirk’.

The view along The Embankment from the same spot, standing among the cars parked there. (SR)

After Charlie, Mervyn and Cecil get into the Rolls, they are driven to town to play cards with Mr. Cupid at his place. The Embankment in Twickenham with Bath House and Twickenham Baths in the centre distance.

Antony Blair returned to the location 63 years on.

After accepting Daniel Cupid's company in settlement of £5,000 won at poker, the three pals make their way to the premises. The Green in Richmond, Surrey with Onslow House at numbers 8 to 9 on the left.

John Harwood, aware perhaps of his mortality, refrained from stepping into the road for this one. (SJ)

Charlie, Mervyn and Cecil find the building where Mr. Cupid's Garden of England matrimonial agency is based. The Grade II listed Onslow House was built for the First Earl of Onslow at the beginning of 18th century.

John H. again captures the same signage. (SJ)

After Charlie sells the contents of the office, a limousine brings wealthy widow Mrs. Ophelia Mountjoy to the agency. The Green in Richmond upon Thames with the pointed gable end of Richmond House in the right background.

John Harwood took this from the near side of the road. (SJ)

As she leaves the building after enlisting the Garden of England's services, Mrs. Mountjoy's Chauffeur Tom (Neil Hallett) opens the door of her car. Not across the street as continuity suggests, this is facing number 5 The Green in Richmond, Surrey.

John Harwood on the case. (SJ)

The Postman delivers a reply from the agency to Mrs. Mountjoy's daughter Sylvie.

On the day of Charlie's marriage to Mrs. Mountjoy, Tom speaks with a Photographer (Victor Harrington) outside the Registry Office. Outside York House in Twickenham, Middlesex with the upper floors of properties at the corner of Church Street and York Street to the top centre.

John H again. It seems a lamppost has appeared. (SJ)

With Cecil, Mervyn, Sylvie Mountjoy (Pauline Shepherd) and secretary Lola Perkins (Norma Parnell) waiting, Ophelia Mountjoy (Avice Landone) and Charlie appear for pictures. The entrance to York House in Twickenham.

John H finds the entrance. (SJ)

The small group wave off the happy couple before getting into a taxi to take them to the reception at the agency. Outside York House, the Municipal Offices off Church Street in Twickenham, Middlesex.

The ivy has come down. John again. (SJ)

Bells ring as an ambulance carries Cecil to hospital after an plan involving an electric heater and a bath goes wrong.

Following another unsuccessful attempt on Ophelia's life, she and Charlie walk along the river.

The two tricksters admit to each other that they are a couple of phonies.

Charlie joins Cecil in hospital after Mervyn causes him to trip on the stairs at home.