Out of Season

Returning after twenty years, Joe Tanner looks through a coin operated telescope at the village where he was once involved with a hotel landlady named Ann. The backs of Cove Cottages in Chiswell on the Isle of Portland, Dorset.

Andrew Price notes that the end cottage has been extended and now features a garage at the front, a rare feature in the narrow lanes of Chiswell and Fortuneswell.

The shot pans inland. More of the cottages with Chesil Beach coming into view to the top right.

It wasn't possible for Andrew to recreate the angle of the capture so this is taken through the fence around a new residential development, formerly the site of the Underhill Community Junior School which closed in 2014.

The shot comes to an end as shouting is heard in the background. Cove Cottages, Chiswell.

This image was taken by Andrew from Three Yards Close.

Joe Tanner (Cliff Robertson) turns to see the Postman calling to a dog. Looking towards Portland Harbour and Weymouth in the distance.

Andrew Price discovered that the present telescope offers commentary and a view for £1 and commentary and an extended view for £2.

The dog follows as the Postman (Frank Jarvis) cycles away.

The “Higher Ground” coffee shop at The Heights Hotel provides welcome respite from the wind and rain. Picture by Andrew.

Joe turns back to the view over the village. The houses bottom left stand on Ventnor Road in Fortuneswell.

Taken from a similar position by Andrew Price.

The American makes his way to the village. Looking down on Chesil Beach to the left and the villages of Chiswell and Fortuneswell. Similar views were seen in ‘The Damned’, 'Ring of Spies' and ‘The Bulldog Breed’.

An almost identical view by Andrew.

Crossing shingle, Joe nears the Marine Hotel that he remembers from two decades ago. This is at the northern end of the Esplanade in Chiswell, looking towards what is now Pebble Lane.

Andrew Price discovered that a house and a boat workshop have been added to the scene. The stone outbuilding in the middle distance provides a reference point for the original capture.

The Postman leans his bike against the wall of the Marine Hotel before entering to deliver the mail. Alongside the Beach House Hotel, formerly a public house in Chiswell, Portland.

The Beach House Hotel is now closed as Andrew found.

Joanna (Susan George) comes out of the hotel to call Mr. Todd, her dog. Looking along the ‘Ope’ towards Chesil Beach.

Andrew Price captured the location.

Having been reunited with Ann, Joe sits in the hotel bar with her daughter Joanna. This appears to be the hotel set as the view through the window is not the one to be expected on Portland.

On another day, Joe takes a walk along the beach. To the north of Brunswick Terrace in Weymouth, Dorset with the rear of properties on Greenhill providing the background.

A brighter day greeted Gregor Baddley on his visit.

Seeing Charlie, the hotel’s only other resident, Joe crosses to speak with him. The beach behind Greenhill, Weymouth.

Many of the elements from the screen capture are present in Gregor Baddley's view.

As the drama unfolds at the hotel, the Postman continues with his round. The junction of Priory Road and Yeates Road. The layout has been altered since filming.

Andrew Price took this shot at the junction.

While Joe dances with Ann on the beach, Joanna calls Mr. Todd back to the car. Lulworth Cove in Dorset with properties on Main Road dotted across the background.

The view now. Also out of season. (SD)

Ann (Vanessa Redgrave) and Joe embrace. Lulworth Cove also features in ‘The Black Rider’, ‘The Boys in Blue’, ‘Four Sided Triangle’, ‘The Flaw’, 'Nuts in may', 'World War Z' and 'Five on a Treasure Island'.

Very similar view to the one in 'The Black Rider' (SD)

Joanna approaches Joe as he walks away from the village. Facing east on Priory Road with the Portland Cenotaph war memorial on New Ground ahead.

The same section of road taken by Andrew.

Pausing to speak to Joe, Joanna drives away. Priory Road, now Yeates Road, between the Cenotaph and the Portland Heights Motel.

Andrew Price recreates the scene.

Joanna heads to the station the morning after being caught naked with Joe by her mother. Weymouth railway station off King Street, Weymouth.

There are considerable changes in Gregor Baddley's comparison.

The train carrying Joanna departs. Also appearing in ‘Melody’, Weymouth station’s layout has since been rationalised.

Gregor provides this view of the present day pointwork at the station throat.

Life goes on in the village as the Postman makes his deliveries. New Road with Chesil Beach in the right background.

Andrew Price explains that the road was diverted away from unstable cliffs in 1996.

A last view of the small seaside resort where Ann and Joe sit in the empty bar of the Marine Hotel. Chesil Beach with a buildings on Brandy Row in the foreground.

The same view recreated by Andrew.