Optimists of Nine Elms, The

Morning dawns as Sam Hall flicks through through a collection of old Music Hall playbills featuring his name. Looking towards Cremorne Railway Bridge in Battersea SW11 with Albion, White Hart and Lombard Wharves to the extreme left.

The bridge has not changed. SJ

The titles appear to the sound of Sam singing one of his almost forgotten songs. Chelsea Creek in SW6 with the chimneys of Fulham Power Station in the centre distance. The railway is passing through what is now the site of Imperial Wharf station.

Liz Ellis narrates "Nine Elms, is a place in London south of the river. There might have been nine trees there once but the time we're talking about didn't mean trees. It meant fog in winter, the noise of trains . . . . " Chelsea Creek with a former transport depot to the right and the railway running between West Brompton and Clapham Junction / Nine Elms on the left.

This part of the creek has now been reclaimed but this is recognisable. SJ

" . . . but most of all, it meant Sam, the first to show us the world the other side of the river." Sam Hall (Peter Sellers) appears on the steps of the disused warehouse where he lives. Looking up from Chelsea Creek with the chimneys of Lots Road Power Station to the right.

With his elderly dog Bella sitting in a customised pram, the aging entertainer sets out for a day on the streets . . . busking. Facing west from the site of the former Lion Works on Lots Road with Fulham Gas Works in the distance.

This is as close as I could get to Chelsea Creek. The gas holders of Fulham gas works still stand in the background but the water tower has disappeared. SJ.

A school bell signals the end of lessons for the day. Ashburnham Primary School on Lots Road with the power station filling the left skyline.

With the replacement of the school on the right, this is about the best angle one can now achieve. SJ

The camera tilts down to find pupils running from their classrooms. Ashburnham school was demolished in 2009 to make way for the Chelsea Academy.

The new building. SJ

Liz Ellis (Donna Mullane) hurries across the playground. Ashbrnham Primary School in Chelsea SW10.

The old playground would have been beyond the reflected glass. SJ

At a street corner, Liz buys a cornet from the inevitable ice cream van. Outside Ashburnham school at the corner of Upcerne Road and Lots Road.

Looking north-east along Lots Road. SJ

Mark Ellis (John Chaffey) waits for his sister to collect him at the school gates. Tim Harlow tells us that this is the old Notre Dame Convent School for Girls on Battersea Park Road SW11. Marny Pigott recalls that the gates opened onto what was known as 'The Avenue', where the entrances to St. Mary's Infant's school, Notre Dame and the church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Joseph could be found.

The gate, the arch, the angle and the gas holder!

More than 15 years on from the last comparative shot we find the location now to be a Business Centre and the gas holder to have been taken down and replaced by blocks of flats. (RL)

Liz rushes towards her young brother's school. The convent wall on Battersea Park Road as advised by Tim Harlow. The wall makes an earlier appearance in 'This Is My Street'. (RL)

Same place, same wall but different focal length. The 'same wall' naturally being being that of the old Notre Dame Convent School for Girls.

The passage of 15 years reveals the two different style gas holders to have been replaced by two different style blocks of flats. A further sign of the times revealing that the girls school has given way to commercial units. (RL)

The camera pans to follow. More of the school wall on Battersea Park Road.

Battersea Park Road SW11 viewed from Lockington Road. SW8. The arched door is now hidden by the ivy.

Now not that dissimilar to as it was in 1973 when the film was released, but now a smarter road sign. (RL)

Liz hands Mark an ice cream. The gateway of the former Convent of Notre Dame on Battersea Park Road, now restyled as Cloisters Business Park, recognised by Tim Harlow. (RL)

Proof of the change of use to the Cloisters Business Park.

Even further changes from those revealed over 15 years ago. The background buildings have changed and a dentist has found an opening. (RL)

The pair link hands and run homeward. Behind these gates on Battersea Park Road, London SW11 still stands the church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Joseph.

Sunlight mars this view of the same gates on the same road.

The Catholic faith remains on site with a rebuilt church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel & St Joseph. (RL)

The pan continues as the children disappear behind a lorry. Marny Pigott, who attended the nearby St. Mary's Primary School, clarifies that the background building is St. Mary's Infants School, which was sometimes called St Joseph's. The school has since been closed, partly demolished and the area redeveloped into, what would probably be marketed as, stunning apartments.

Battersea Park Road with the school still intact and Battersea Park station in the background.

This shot reveals the architectural changes that have occured during the last 15 years as well as the brick and iron work that have survived change since 1973. Lorries and cars in shot have given way to the current importance of cycle transport. (RL)

In the market, the dignified performer checks his battered panama before commencing his routine.

Waiting for her parents to return, Liz plays with friends. Looking towards Lots Road and the windows of Lots Road Power Station from Uverdale Road in SW10.

Yes, Lots Road power station with its rounded windows, but, so hard to get the 'now' shot with all those parked cars.

I tried to improve by omitting the cars but have now forfeited a clear view of the rounded windows, thanks to sun glare and tree growth. SJ

A chimney rises above the street of terraced houses. This is the chimney of Lots Road Power Station as it looms above properties on Uverdale Road in Chelsea.

Uverdale Road remains reasonably intact while work goes on with the conversion of Lots Road Power Station

The shot tilts down to find Chrissie Ellis (Marjorie Yates), Liz and Mark's mum, as she arrives home. Uverdale Road in SW10.

66b Uverdale Road is for sale. SJ

Liz leaves a corner shop after buying sweets with money left by their Dad before he set off for another night shift at the power station.

The two youngsters walk along the river and talk about the families need for more money. Battersea Reach of the River Thames.

A building (in the centre) on Lots Road survives with the Chelsea Worlds End estate behind to the right. This is taken from the shore in front of St. Mary's Church, Battersea. SJ

The camera moves to find this view from the mud flats below St. Mary's church on Battersea Church Road with Lots Road Power Station across the Thames, identified by Tim Harlow. The background view was also seen in 'Night, After Night, After Night', 'Alfie', 'Food for a Blush' and 'Melody'.

A similar view now. SJ

Seventeen years has brought a lot more glass to a radically altered view but at least the chimneys have been retained for the Powerhouse development. SJ

The two carry on across the mud flats. In the left distance stand the four chimneys of Fulham Power Station.

The chimneys of Fulham Power Station disappeared in the late 70s and early 80s when it was decommissioned in 1978. The site was then derelict well into the 2000s. SJ

Further along the river, Mark watches through the neck of a broken milk bottle as a helicopter comes in to land. To the left can be seen the windsocks of Battersea Heliport, also known as Westland Heliport, on Bridges Court, Battersea SW11.

A helicopter is coming in for landing so I seized the moment. However this is not an optimum view and a boat trip would capture a better angle of the heliport. SJ

Seagulls gather near a riverside refuse site.

Looking across the river, Liz sees modern high rise flats that are far more spacious than their terraced home. Looking across South Mere towards Thamesmead in London SE28.

Losing sight of her brother, Liz runs through the waste site looking for him.

Finding a young trespasser outside his home, Sam orders Mark away. This derelict site is off Lots Road in Chelsea SW10.

A relieved Liz joins her brother and the two are told off by the former Music Hall artist after taunting him with "Sam, Sam the dirty old man, washes his face in a frying pan." The distant chimneys of Fulham Power Station can be made out in the top right corner of the image.

Sam shakes his broom at Mark telling him to "Stay out". Looking towards Lots Road in Chelsea, London SW10 with The Balloon Tavern to the left, a public house that also makes an appearance in 'Morgan, a Suitable Case for Treatment', 'Sid and Nancy', 'The Deadly Affair' and 'Underground'.

A closer view of what lies beyond the wall. The pub is currently known as the Lots Road Diner and the power station can be seen in the right background.

Liz and Mark run after Sam shouting that he has a hole in his trousers. The corner of Southolm Street with Queenstown Road in SW11 located by Stephen Quinn.

The same corner and wall now. SJ

Provoked by the annoying kids, Sam turns to shoo them away. Facing south on Queenstown Road in Battersea with Queenstown Road station on the bridge above the roadway.

Jason Damon revisited the location.

Followed by the children, Sam makes his way towards a football ground where spectators fill the stands before a match. Peter Brown identifies this as Chelsea FC's Stamford Bridge stadium on Fulham Road SW6, known as 'The Shed', seen from the now demolished West Stand. Other views of the stadium appear in 'Yesterday's Hero', 'The Arsenal Stadium Mystery' and 'Nuns on the Run'.

Howard Morgan provides this shot taken from the NE corner of the ground to replace Peter's shot of the outside of the ground. (RL)

Outside the ground, Mark watches Sam perform as the frail Bella struggles to beg for money from the queuing fans. Outside Craven Cottage on Stevenage Road in Fulham.

Paul Enticknap provides this view of the background gates including the addition of a statue of Fulham's greatest ever player Johnny Haynes.

After Mark helps Bella collect coins, he and Liz follow Sam away from the ground. Stevenage Road in Fulham SW6 with Bishop's Park behind the railings.

The fence remains standing in Paul Enticknap's comparison.

Sam turns when Liz mentions that they don't know there way home. Bishop's Park in Fulham, which is also seen in 'The Omen' from 1976.

The trees have matured as expected in Paul Enticknap's modern view.

The old entertainer suggests that the children follow him back. Facing southward in Bishop's Park SW6 with the River Thames to the right.

Paul Enticknap captures the same trees along the same pathway.

Sam buys fish and chips for the hungry siblings. Keith Barnes believes that this may be outside Maggie Brown's pie and mash shop on Battersea High Street, looking south toward Falcon Road.

A cement train passes overhead as the three settle down to eat their food near the river. Looking past Albion Wharf to the left, which was seen in 'Mona Lisa' and 'Sympathy for the Devil', towards Cremorne Bridge taking the railway across the Thames from Battersea and Chelsea.

The wharves have gone but the brickwork is true. SJ

Liz remarks that one of Sam's gags isn't funny. In the left background, Battersea Railway Bridge, also known as Cremorne Bridge, the West London Extension Railway Bridge and Battersea New Bridge, crosses the scene near Vicarage Crescent SW11.

A similar shot now. Also see the London Film Location Guide by Simon James.

As the picnic continues, a hearse drives into view. Vicarage Crescent with Archer House providing the right background.

Archer House today. SJ

Sam stands and removes his hat in respect as the cortege passes. Looking along Lombard Road SW11 with the conveyor that appears in 'The Deadly Affair' visible through the bridge arch on the right.

Looking west with the houses on the left replaced by Fred Wells Gardens, which opened in 1982. SJ

Mark asks Sam the name of his dog before moving onto the subject of death and funerals. "If it takes a week to walk a fortnight, how many apples in a pound of grapes?" The recreation Ground on Vicarage Road with Fulham Power Station across the Thames.

The level above the original embankment wall, which still survives, has disappeared from Vicarage Gardens. SJ

Sam explains that when Bella dies she will have flowers and feathers and black horses and trumpets and be buried in style at Hyde Park, the biggest cemetery in the world. We're in 'Theatre of Blood' and 'Three Hats for Lisa' territory here and this is The Causeway between the River Wandle and Bell Lane Creek in SW18. SJ

The Causeway in Wandsworth with the railway running between Putney and Wandsworth Town stations crossing by viaduct. SJ

Walking beneath a bridge, Sam's voice echoes "You've got to let people know that you've gone." Facing south on the Causeway in Wandsworth with Southside Wandsworth Shopping Centre under construction in the distance. SJ

The completed Southside Wandsworth Shopping Centre towers in the background. SJ

"Bella is Italian for beautiful. Mark my words, they'll remember Bella in Hyde Park when you and me are long gone and forgotten". The Causeway just to the east of the River Wandle in Wandsworth with Wandsworth gasworks filling the background. SJ

All the gas holders have gone and the only evidence of the location is the road's camber. SJ

A freight train rumbles across a nearby bridge as the three reach Sam's run down abode. Guided by the Sands End gasometer, as also seen in 'Cathy Come Home', Dave W finds us in a location that is difficult to be succinct in description. So here goes, looking west from the bridge over Chelsea Creek, once perhaps an unnamed road but now sometimes named Chelsea Harbour Drive, over what looks like a canal footbridge and then over a railway line. (RL)

The children question the existence of the cemetery in Hyde Park prompting Sam to agree to take them across the river.

The following day, Sam makes a cup of tea and talks to Bella and waits for Liz and Mark to arrive for their trip across the river.

Taking their baby Sister with them, Liz and Mark have fun at the playground. SJ advises that this is Eel Brook Common alongside Musgrave Crescent in Fulham SW6.

The tree has grown in the, almost, forty intervening years.

Liz walks along the top of a wall while Mark steers the pram beside her. Eel Brook Common in Fulham with houses on Favart Road in the distance identified by SJ.

Part of the same play area now by SJ.

To a tune played on Sam's banjo, the excited children continue to entertain themselves. Looking along Musgrave Crescent SW6 with the corner of Moore Park Road to the left.

Pity about the parked van obscuring most of Moore Park Road. SJ

Tucking covers around the chuckling baby, Liz and Mark set off home.

Another bout of banjo playing accompanies Liz and Mark as they run to meet Sam.

Back on Smuggler's Way looking east from close to The Causeway, SW18. SJ

Not wanting to miss the trip across the river, the children keep up their pace.

The camera turns to follow the two as they run past.

Mark and Liz find seats at the front of the top deck on the bus that will take them over the river. We will forever be grateful that Dave W went to school, not least for what he observed on his way there, yes, enroute, Queenstown Circus SW11 and here the South Carriage Drive entrance to Battersea Park. (RL)

One can just make out the lodge's roof within the park to the left. SJ

Sam joins his young friends and buys tickets to Hyde Park for them all. And as Dave W says, a mere few frames later "the bus seemingly taking a left towards Chelsea Bridge" and the 'Shell' garage is still there! (RL)

And there is the garage overshadowed by expansive building. SJ

Crossing the Thames by Vauxhall Bridge with Battersea Power Station in the right distance.

Hot off the press Dave W provides the much changed scene as it is now. (RL)

The usual clutch of London landmarks are passed on the journey, just a few of which are presented here. The Houses of Parliament with the Victoria Tower to the left of centre.

Well I'm not on a bus (the number 3 would work here) and the wind direction is not co-operating for the Union flag on top of Victoria Tower but otherwise this is the correct angle on the SW1 side of Lambeth Bridge. SJ

Horse Guards on Whitehall in SW1.

Peter captures the tourists . . . and the location.

And if you look to your right as we pass through Trafalgar Square, you will see the base of Nelson's Column, a monument built to commemorate Admiral Horatio Nelson who died at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Michael Bradley spotted his local bus home, the 24, which dates back to 1910 making it one of the oldest unchanged routes in London.

Taken from ground level by Peter.

The rather inconsistent bus ride passes the screen at Hyde Park Corner, also in SW1. The location appears in several productions including 'The Lady with a Lamp', ‘The Man in the Road’, ‘Joanna’, ‘Little Red Monkey’, ‘The Fourth Protocol’ and 'The Sandwich Man'.

From ground level. SJ

The sightseeing tour reaches the southern end of Park Lane . . . and all for the price of one and two halves.

Traffic's not exactly flowing here. SJ

Mark, followed by Sam carrying Bella, then Liz, alight from the bus. Looking north towards Marble Arch from Park Lane in London W1. A shot from a similar position was seen in 'Baffled!'.

The view now. SJ

The children watch and wait as Sam battles to retrieve his bags and a wooden pushchair from the luggage space on the bus's platform.

The far side of the road has been boarded up for ages and the trees sure don't help but here's the gateway. The building in the left distance in the screen capture is actually a block down North Row W1, while the white ones still stand behind those trees on Park Lane. SJ

Mark rushes off on an urgent journey. This is the subway on Park Lane near Marble Arch which is seen from afar in 'The Playbirds'.

Now . . . the subway from the west side of Park Lane. SJ

The young lad appears from the subway and runs across the plaza located between Cumberland Way, Tyburn Way, Marble Arch and Park Lane in W1.

Now without steps. The Odeon Marble Arch has since been replaced. SJ

Sam finally manages to extricate himself from the bus. Park Lane in W1 with the corner of North Row in the centre left background.

Now, with a bit of refurbishment going on. SJ

Having answered the call of nature, Mark runs back to join Sam, Bella and his sister. This sub-surface area is hemmed in by Cumberland Gate, Bayswater Road and Tyburn Way and the building to the top right stands at the corner of Edgware Road.

Not a pretty sight now, and for how much longer? The underpass behind me is already sealed off. SJ

Mark finds Liz and the two set off after Sam who has continued on his way, pushing Bella as she sits on top of the bags balanced on the stroller. The subway on Cumberland Gate near to the car park entrance with properties at the north end of Park Lane in the distance.

Yes, this is adjacent to the car park on Cumberland Gate. SJ

Waiting to crossing the busy road, the pair see Sam as he walks quickly on. This is looking across North Carriage Drive towards Bayswater Road with St. George's Fields and the buildings of Hyde Park Place forming the backdrop. SJ

Even in early spring, I had to come in closer to Bayswater Road to make out the buildings. SJ

The children finally catch up with the old man, finding him standing in the pet cemetery.

The same pet cemetery, without trespassing.

"Makes a very good Grand Marnier souffle, does the chef here" Sam tells Liz and Mark as they make their way past The Dorchester Hotel on Park Lane in W1, which appears in many other productions including 'Expresso Bongo', 'Glad Tidings', 'Cloak Without Dagger', 'The Iron Maiden', 'Easy Money', 'Strange Bedfellows', 'This Happy Breed', 'Carry On Regardless' and 'It's Not Cricket'.

The Dorchester now. SJ

Passing a street band on the journey to the West End, the three reach a church. The entrance to St. Anne's Churchyard Gardens on Wardour Street in W1 recognised by Adrian Grepnold.

Now, with the gates replaced by concentration camp wiring! SJ

Pigeons take flight as they enter the churchyard. Looking up at the tower of St. Anne's church, the main entrance of which is on Dean Street, located by Adrian Grepnold. The churchyard's fence and gateway also appear in 'A Business Affair'.

No lamps on the gateposts now. SJ

Outside the church, Liz looks at the grave stones as Sam changes his clothes. St. Anne's Churchyard Gardens in Soho with the rear of properties on Shaftesbury Avenue to the right.

St. Anne's Churchyard Gardens now. (PW)

No far a way, a Busker performs his routine. The background building suggests itself to be "Your actual Flanagan's pub".

Sam leads the children to his pitch. The junction of Coventry Street with Wardour Street in W1 and that's the Rialto where I sneaked into the X-rated 'The Stud'. SJ

The same corner. SJ

At the corner of a nearby street, Don Crown and his Busking Budgies entertain. More information about 'Budgieman' Don Crown can be found at www.budgieman.co.uk

Onlookers are captivated by the act.

The queue that Sam has been playing to files into the theatre after a disappointing collection. Great Windmill Street W1 with the Lyric Theatre, formerly The Globe Theatre, as the background.

No queues for the moment but the seemingly mobile phone boxes have been joined by a temporary urinal . . . nice! (PW)

Packing up, Sam and the children move on. Looking north on Great Windmill Street with the former Windmill Theatre to the left of centre. The street appears in 'Time Without Pity', 'The Small World of Sammy Lee', 'White Cargo', 'Last Night in Soho', 'The Gelignite Gang' and 'Rag Doll'. SJ

Great Windmill Street from Shaftesbury Avenue. SJ

Mark leads Bella through the audience as Sam frolics with his accordion. In front of the since demolished Swiss Centre on Coventry Street W1 with the corner of Wardour Street to the left. This section of road is now pedestrianised and has been renamed Swiss Court.

The Swiss Centre's replacement under construction but Wardour Street is unchanged. SJ

In the middle of changing a cinema display, workmen stop to watch. The frontage of The Empire cinema in Leicester Square W1, currently operated by Cineworld, with the balcony of Queen's House to the extreme right.

Peter provides this shot of the cinema's canopy.

As Sam pockets the few coins collected, Mark comments that Bella isn't well.

To the sound of Don Crown singing 'Mr. Bass Drum Man', the three head to a café for a cup of tea. Looking towards Leicester Square from Coventry Street with the corner of Leicester Street to the left.

Leicester Square now. SJ

Liz takes Sam and Mark to see the flats where she longs to live.

Identified by Brian Tunstill as Thamesmead in SE28. SJ explains that through the more abundant foliage stands, from left to right Osney, Penton and Trewsbury Houses with Oakenholt House almost obscured. Tim advises that the tower blocks still remain in 2019 but much of Thamesmead is being demolished and rebuilt. (RL) The estate also features in 'The Firm' from 1988 and 'Three and Out'.

Optimism abounds as the three look up at the towering new buildings. Simon James identifies this as Trewsbury House on Hartslock Drive in the SE2 part of Thamesmead.

The lower floors of Trewsbury House now. SJ

Liz and Mark encounter happy children run along concrete ramps and pathways. Aaah, that was the future, that was.

Tavy Bridge on the same Thamesmead Estate. SJ

As Sam recalls one of his monologues, Liz and Mark look out over the estate. Probably shot from Tilehurst Point looking out onto Southmere Lake thinks SJ. 'A Clockwork Orange' visited here before these optimists and 'Beautiful Thing' over 25 years later.

A view from Tavy Bridge was all I could manage. SJ

Leaving the children to enjoy their surroundings, the elderly Sam makes his way towards the river. The steps leads down to Yarnton Way from Tavy Bridge and the Lakeside Centre . . . all demolished in the 2010s.

The steps had gone when Simon visited but this is still Thamesmead.

Another flight of steps leads down to the embankment. Quite a jaunt as this is Albert Bridge Gardens in Chelsea SW3. A similar view is seen in 'Touch and Go'.

Chelsea Embankment now. SJ

Sam produces a paper bag and proceeds to feed Bella. Beneath Albert Bridge on Chelsea Embankment.

Under the Albert Bridge now. SJ

Liz and Mark run to find Sam and Bella. Tavy Bridge, Thamesmead in the Royal Borough of Greenwich and Bexley.

Sam begins to create an origami boat as the children arrive. Across the Thames stands the old Morgan Crucible factory that appears in 'The Man in the White Suit'.

With Battersea Bridge crossing the background. SJ

The paper craft floats away after being dropped into the water as Sam recalls his past life . . . and then a cut takes the story onto Albert Bridge. The bridge also appears in 'The Man Who Was Nobody', 'Sympathy for the Devil', 'The Party's Over', 'Only When I Larf', 'I Don't Want to Be Born' and 'That Kind of Girl'.

This angle can be achieved from the south end of Battersea Bridge looking towards the Chelsea side of Albert Bridge. SJ

The children suggest getting a dog of their own as they cross the river, back to south London. Albert Bridge with Chelsea Embankment on the north bank of the Thames to the left.

"The droogs were on the other side in 'A Clockwork Orange' . . . " as JT said. This however replaces his pre-2008 shot on the cable-stayed bridge as it was taken with the SW11 tower visible rather than the SW3 one. SJ

Sam leads the children onward with a silly song "This old man, he played one, He played knick-knack on my drum, With a knick-knack paddywhack, Give the dog a bone, This old man came rolling home."

" . . . while the Battersea side of the bridge appeared in 'The Day The Earth Caught Fire'... Also a replacement with the Chelsea tower on the left and the Battersea tower to the right. SJ

The shot continues to pan as the tune fades into the distance. Up river can be seen Battersea Bridge with the chimneys of Fulham Power Station beyond.

Higher buildings now. SJ

Not far away, a train crosses the viaduct above the kennels of Battersea Dogs Home. The familiar sight of Battersea Power Station fills the right of the scene.

The shot tilts down as Sam tells Liz and Mark that he'll take them there after school the next day.

Disappointed that they haven't got the £3.50 to pay towards the puppy they have chosen, the children wait for Sam on steps nearby. These steps lead down to Stewart Road from Battersea Park Road and were also seen in 'Cosh Boy'.

The same Battersea steps with the same gasometer to the left.

While their Dad is paying a visit to the Housing Department, Liz and Mark return to the Dog's Home. Outside The Dogs Home on Battersea Park Road in SW8.

Now the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.

The two youngsters decide to raise the money somehow. Battesea Park Road looking towards the corner of Prince of Wales Drive. The junction was seen in 'Melody' and 'This is My Street'.

A Man picks up a pound note from the pavement outside a betting office when Mark isn't quick enough.

Another monologue accompanies Sam as he makes his way home. The former Lion Works site adjacent to Chelsea Creek with the Balloon Tavern just visible to the left.

Having acquired some of the money by babysitting Bella for Sam, Liz and Mark make their way to the power station where their Father works.

After rebuking his kids for being inside the power station, Bob Ellis (David Daker) explains that he hasn't any money to give them. The background structure is part of the Nine Elms (Lambeth South) Freight Depot and the gas holders of Battersea Gas Works can be seen in the distance. The depot also appears in 'Nineteen Eighty-Four'.

Bob returns to work after telling the youngsters that he has an appointment at the Housing Department at the end of his shift. This access road ends on Kirtling Street in SW8 and to the left stands the Battersea Works of the Metropolitan Water Board while part of Nine Elms Freight Depot stands on the right.

With just four weeks until the family are set to move to a new home, Bob and Chrissie spend the day shopping.

As their offspring rush to Sam's, Bob and Chrissie enjoy the time spent together.

Furniture shop windows are scanned while Sam, Liz and Mark are busy collecting their new puppy 'Battersea' from the dog's home. Looking across to 109/111 High Street, Putney, SW15 (RL)

Sam carries Bella in an old shopping bag as he and the children take Battersea to some waste ground. Facing Lots Road from the site of the former Lion Works in Chelsea SW10.

In the background is the corner of Lots Road with the Balloon Tavern to the left. The site is now the Chelsea Creek Car Pound.

The pub is now the Lots Road Pub and Diner and I can't get the correct angle because of the Metropolitan Police car pound. JT

The weary Bella is set down on the ground. The site of Lion Works alongside Chelsea Creek, also seen in 'Underground'.

Walking over to Mark, Sam shows him how to train Battersea. The gasometer and water tower belong to Fulham Gas Works on Sands End Lane.

Angry at the new arrival, Bob explains that the council don't allow pets and tells Liz and Mark to follow him. Uverdale Road with the corner of Burnaby Street to the left... For clarity I think this is looking north north-west with the terrace on the right completely rebuilt. (SJ)

"Where do you think you're going?" as the children head onto a bridge. Battersea Park Road in Nine Elms with the holders of Battersea Gas Works filling the background.

The exact same spot.

Mistakenly thinking that they were heading across the river, the two are told by their Dad that the other side of the Thames is Westminster. The bridge that carries Battersea Park Road over the railway running between Victoria and Wandsworth Road.

The same railings.

Liz and Battersea are followed by Mark as they descend to rejoin their Father. The top of the steps that lead down from Battersea Park Road onto Stewart's Lane.

Battersea Power Station still dominates the skyline.

Bob waits for the youngsters to catch up. Although continuity suggests that the children descend onto Stewart's Lane, this is looking onto Stewart's Road on the opposite side of the railway.

The steps opposite Battersea Dog's Home, leading down to Stewart Road. T. Ali advises that the actress Donna Mullane lived in Seldon House that stands on the right in this shot. What happened to her in life after the film remains a mystery. (RL)

After being shown a notice that reads no pets are allowed in council houses, the dismayed children run away. Roger Armstrong identifies this as the steps down from Lombard Dwellings onto Lombard Road SW11.

Mark appears on the opposite steps. The steps lead down from Lombard Dwellings advises Roger Armstrong who explains that terraced housing was built over industrial workshops with open space and drying areas on the flat roofs above. The buildings were constructed in 1886 to 1887 by William Bealeand but were unfortunately demolished around 1976.

The two head to find Sam . . . who is busy conducting an imaginary orchestra.

After Bella passes away, a Park Keeper (Michael Graham Cox) approaches a grieving Sam as he sits in the darkness of park at closing time.

Sam escapes from the Park Keeper on a bicycle.

The following morning, Sam discovers that the children have buried Bella in the pet cemetery.

Holding his daughter's hand, Bob carries his son on his shoulders as they leave Battersea with Sam.

Sam and Battersea walk home together at the close of the film.

The north tunnel underneath The Serpentine Bridge looking east onto Hyde Park. My early post dated the 9th was the south tunnel with the image reversed, as I was in a mischievous mood as well as forgetting there were two tunnels. SJ