Oracle, The

As thunder rumbles in the distance, a forecast for fine weather during the early morning is broadcast by the BBC. Broadcasting House on Portland Place, London W1 which also makes an appearance in several other productions including ‘You Made Me Love You’, ‘Death at Broadcasting House’, ‘Once a Jolly Swagman’, ‘The Day the Earth Caught Fire’, ‘Band Wagon’, ‘No Trace’, ‘The Happy Family’, ‘Mother Riley Meets the Vampire’, ‘Back Room Boy’, ‘The Voice of Merrill’ and ‘Give My Regards To Broad Street’.

Looks like Peter got there after the rain.

Contrary to the prediction, the sun shines brightly at midday. The Elizabeth Tower of the Houses of Parliament in SW1.

Peter provides this comparison . . . albeit over four hours later!

The camera tilts down to find a man reading a copy of the Daily Post. Westminster Bridge Road with the the Houses of Parliament in the background.

More likely to find someone talking a "selfie" these days . . . as I kept finding! (RL)

Cut to an establishing shot of Fleet Street in London EC4. The street appears in many other films including 'Wedding Rehearsal', 'Sea Wife', 'The Day the Earth Caught Fire', 'Who Done It?', 'Strange Bedfellows', 'The Primitives' and 'Brothers in Law'.

A good ground level match from Peter.

These are the Fleet Street offices of the film's Daily Post where Timothy Blake works as the obituaries and births editor.

Deciding to take a bird watching holiday, Timothy heads to the coast for a sailing as part of his journey to Inish Beg, a remote island off the Irish coast. Peter Brown points out that Timothy is clearly talking the scenic route to Ireland as this is of a down express at Berrylands (between New Malden and Surbiton, Surrey). (RL)

The camera pans with the train hauled by 34025 'Whimple', a Southern Railway West Country class locomotive. To support his identification Peter has provided a 60's photo of the gantry but it is also quite apparent in Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berrylands_railway_station#/media/File:Berrylands_Station_1792587_4742c46e.jpg. (RL)

Local Postmaster Terry Roche (Joseph Tomelty) greets Timothy Blake (Michael Medwin) on the beach where the newspaper man has landed. David Rawsthorn places this as Dancing Ledge, Dorset. (RL) The cliff at Dancing Ledge is a similar shape but this is Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset. (SD)

This is on the east side of Kimmeridge Bay. (SD)

The next sunny day, the Postmaster tells Timothy that it's going to rain as he sets out to see if he can spot a Great White Tailed Sea Eagle. See Capture 14,. This is number 22. (SD)

The real post office was at the northern end of the village where the cafe is now. (SD)

Dressed in summer clothes, Timothy walks through the village. See Capture 14. (RL)

I opted for a more Autumnal style. (SD)

A Woman takes her washing in as Timothy passes. See Capture 14. (RL)

Now a driveway. (SD)

A little further along the road pram hoods are put up and raincoats are donned. See Capture 14. (RL)

I didn't expect to find one of those parked here. (SD)

Householders close their windows. See Capture 14. (RL)

We've had the white van, may as well have scaffolding too! (SD)

An Elderly Gentleman opens his umbrella. Clive Turner points out that during an interview from 2002, Virginia McKenna mentions Dorset as the location of the village. David Rawsthorn confirms that it is indeed Dorset and particular, Kimmeridge. (RL)

David provided a Google View to support, with evidence that there have been some changes to the cottages over the years. (RL) Replacing David's Google View with evidence to show that the changes are still ongoing. (SD)

As Timothy watches the scene unfold, the sky turns dark. See Capture 14. (RL)

By the gate of number 26, with an additional cottage next door. (SD)

By the time the Elderly Gentleman passes Timothy, a downpour has begun. See Capture 14. (RL)

No rain to spoil the day, just scaffolding! (SD)

Whilst bird watching in the hills, Timothy sees Terry approaching a derelict cottage. Kimmeridge Bay. (SD)

Not quite high enough, but the area I believe it was viewed from is now far too overgrown to be accessible. (SD)

As the Postmaster enters, Timothy makes his way down the hill.

The curious newspaperman goes inside the seemingly empty building after Terry has left.

After the truth is told about the Oracle living in the cottage, the Postmaster's niece Shelagh Roche (Virginia McKenna) asks about Timothy's job. This appears to be a slipway at Kimmeridge Bay. (SD)

The slipway and boathouse. (SD)

The Farmer prepares to lead his cow away after Terry prescribes a bottle of tonic for the beast and the Farmhand (Derek Tansley). See Capture 14. This appears to be viewed from the front garden of number 22. (SD)

Viewed from the road, and the cottage opposite has gained an extra window. (SD)

As he watches the three walk away, Terry comments that the cow probably has the most brains. See Capture 14. This is the side of number 22. (SD)

As viewed from the road. (SD)

An excited Timothy asks Terry if he can meet the Oracle. Same as Capture 22 but the reverse point of view. (SD)

A reverse point of view of the reverse point of view. (SD)

Reluctantly, Terry takes Timothy to the old cottage.

While Timothy dictates the winners of the race meeting at Hurst Park to Peggy at the office, a plane takes off from North Down Airport.

Daily Post editor Bob Jefferson (Robert Beatty) watches the plane carrying his Wife to Paris before returning to the office and firing Timothy.

Carrying a picnic with them, Timothy takes Shelagh bird watching. See Capture 14. (SD)

Now with an additional cottage. (SD)

Terry calls Timothy back when a call from Jefferson comes through. Same as Capture 9. (SD)

The picturesque cottages now. (SD)

The Oracle's predictions of race winners has a devastating effect on the racing world. Kempton Park Racecourse on Staines Road East in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey.

Only one Man watches a rider walk his horse around the course in a one horse race. Kempton Park Racecourse, formerly in Middlesex.

John Harwood shot the new stand. (SJ)

Timothy waits for Terry after the angry islanders have instructed the Oracle to go back to answering only their questions following one last question for the newspaper.

With only one question left to answer, the Daily Post holds a competition asking the readers what it should be.

A young girl posts her entry. The corner of Hartington Road and Queen’s Road in Southall, Middlesex. The area is just around the corner from Southall Studios and was also seen in 'Miss Robin Hood', 'The Gay Dog', 'Date with Disaster' and 'Three Steps to the Gallows'.

Antony Blair found the shop looking in a sorry state and that the post box and the gasometer have disappeared.

The prop pillar box is moved to the City. Somewhere in the post-war landscape around Bread Street or Watling Street EC4 with St. Paul’s Cathedral in the background. The area is also seen in 'Mantrap', ‘Stage Fright’, 'Escape Route', 'The Lavender Hill Mob' and ‘Kaleidoscope’.

Peter has recycled this shot from 2016 as it is now impossible to match the screen capture due to the new buildings surrounding St. Paul's.

A War Veteran posts his question.

Back on Inish Beg Shelagh goes looking for Timothy. This, David says is Chapman's Pool (Worth Matravers), Dorset. (RL)

Straight into the sun! I believe this was viewed from the cliff top to the right of where I was standing (perched precariously) Unfortunately the area is now far too overgrown to be accessible. (SD)