Paul Temple Returns
Date: 1952
Director: Maclean Rogers
Production Company: Nettlefold Films
Stars: John Bentley, Patricia Dainton
Location(s): London, Middlesex, Surrey
Region(s): London O-Q, N. America, South East M-Q
Storyline:
A series of seemingly unconnected murders are investigated by the Temples.
Additional Information:
Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson
Also known as ‘Bombay Waterfront’ (US Title)
Can you help:
If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.
We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.
- Capture 1
- 'Now' required

Ships horns sound in London's dock lands before a shot rings out at the Bombay Wharf Company's warehouse.
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required

Roddy Carson (Ben Williams) watches a van drive away from Bombay Wharf after the body of a Woman is thrown into the back.
- Capture 3
- 'Now' required

At the river, a Figure loads the Woman's body into a rowing boat.
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required

Rita Cartwright's American passport and belongings are examined at New Scotland Yard after being recovered from the river. Facing Derby Gate from Victoria Embankment in SW1 with New Scotland yard to the right.
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required

In New York, Steve Temple watches her husband Paul as he completes a television recording at Station GSKZ. The skyline of Lower Manhattan in New York, New York with Battery Park to the left, the National City Bank Building on Wall Street on the right and Exchange Place to the extreme right.
- Capture 6
- 'Now' required

Back in Britain, a minibus drives past airport buildings. RAF Northolt in Hillingdon, Middlesex.
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required

The camera follows the vehicle across the tarmac.
- Capture 8
- 'Now' required

An aircraft comes into land, bringing Paul and Steve Temple back home. The distant gas holder at South Harrow Gas Works in Roxeth confirms the location as RAF Northolt, Hillingdon.
- Capture 9
- 10 Aug 2021

A taxi drops Paul (John Bentley) and Steve Temple (Patricia Dainton) off outside their London apartment building. Maitland Court at the junction of Gloucester Terrace and Lancaster Terrace that can be seen in 'Salute the Toff' and 'Hammer the Toff', both of which also star John Bentley, as well as 'Mantrap', 'Whispering Smith Hits London', 'Paul Temple Returns', 'Song of Paris', 'The Saint’s Return', 'Operation Diplomat' and 'Flannelfoot'.

The well preserved Maitland Court. (PW)
- Capture 10
- 16 Mar 2025

The Temples park outside Scotland Yard before entering to speak with Superintendent Bradley about "The Marquis" murders. Facing south on Victoria Embankment with the Houses of Parliament visible in the left distance.

Taken for a clearer view just in front of the hut which is part of the ongoing (and long term) works on the north wing of the Norman Shaw Building. SJ
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required

After dinner with Sir Graham Forbes, Paul and Steve follow clues that lead to to Bombay Wharf on the East India Dock Road where they find Inspector Ross standing over Sammy Wren's unconscious body.
- Capture 12
- 28 Feb 2025

The Temple's drive home through the West End. Looking east along Coventry Street W1 with the BOAC advertisement at corner of Haymarket.

The advert, like BOAC, has long gone. SJ
- Capture 13
- 28 Feb 2025

Steve remarks to her husband that she doesn't trust Ross. Piccadilly Circus W1 with the Criterion Theatre's canopy to the extreme right.

Boots has been replaced by an entrance to Lillywhite's but the Criterion canopies remain with the restaurant to the left and the theatre to the right. SJ
- Capture 14
- 28 Feb 2025

The journey to see Roddy Carson continues through Piccadilly Circus. In the top left background can be seen the entrance to the Monico Restaurant while the London Pavilion, to the centre top, is covered by the Wrigley's advertisement.

Boots can be seen to the left, which in the past shows Monico's covered by Coca Cola's advertisement left of the former Guinness clock display. The Wrigley's sign was on the other side of Shaftesbury Avenue where the black covering is for the time being. SJ
- Capture 15
- 'Now' required

Turning off the main road, Paul enters a courtyard where a truck collides with his car.
- Capture 16
- 'Now' required

Paul and Steve pay a visit to Sir Felix Raybourne at the film's Greensea House in Walsham, Surrey.
- Capture 17
- 'Now' required

Satisfied that Sir Felix isn't the '"The Marquis", the Temples leave after the archaeologist answers their questions.
- Capture 18
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Appearing from behind a tree, Inspector Ross (Ronald Leigh-Hunt) watches the pair drive away.
- Capture 19
- 02 Jan 2025

Working for "The Marquis" against his will, Derek Slater (Robert Urquhart) leads Sir Graham Forbes (Peter Gawthorne), Paul Temple, Inspector Ross and Superintendent Bradley (Valentine Dyall) to Kellaways Folly. Through the trees can be seen the Gothic Tower at Painshill near Cobham in Surrey.

Nick Boorman had to leave the path to obtain this comparison of the tower through the trees.
- Capture 20
- 02 Jan 2025

While Ross and Bradley chase the escaping Slater, inside the folly Sir Graham and Paul find a burnt telegram from Greensea House. A closer view of the Gothic Tower at Painshill, Surrey.

And now in colour by Nick Boorman.
- Capture 21
- 21 Aug 2021

A Police Car arrives at the hotel where Sir Felix has just left after sitting with Steve while she waits for Paul to return from the folly. Church Square, Shepperton in Middlesex with St. Nicholas' church in the background.

Is it the blurred screen capture or does the window above the church entrance appear different in Nick Boorman's comparison?
- Capture 22
- 21 Aug 2021

Sir Graham and Paul enter the building. The Anchor Hotel in Church Square, Shepperton. The hotel also appears in 'The Dog Outwits the Kidnappers' while the square can be seen in 'Mysterious Island', 'The Navy Lark', 'The Man Who Loved Redheads', 'Hoverbug', 'Trent's Last Case', 'Find the Lady', 'Glad Tidings' 'Bond of Fear' and 'Emergency Call'.

Nick Boorman found an extension to the right and a simpler description of the premises.
- Capture 23
- 'Now' required

After discovering Slater's body at Greensea House and reading in the stop press of Sir Felix's death in Paris, Paul, Steve, their manservant Sakki, Sir Graham and Superintendent Bradley return to the Bombay Wharf where the archaeologist's treasured trophies from Egypt have been delivered.
- Capture 24
- 'Now' required

Sir Graham, Superintendent Bradley and Sir Felix (Christopher Lee) run from the warehouse while Paul sets off in pursuit of "The Marquis" after he takes Steve hostage.
- Capture 25
- 'Now' required

Fire engines arrive on the scene to extinguish the blaze set by "The Marquis" as he fled. The building can be seen in 'Glad Tidings' and a credit during the titles acknowledges that the appliances were supplied by the Surrey Fire Brigade.
- Capture 26
- 'Now' required

As Firemen tackle the flames, "The Marquis" appears on the roof of the warehouse with Steve.
- Capture 27
- 'Now' required

After "The Marquis" falls to his death during a fight with Paul on the roof, Steve and the men return to Sakki who has been waiting in the launch.
- Capture 28
- 'Now' required

The film ends with the titles rolling over a scene of Paul, Steve and Sakki sailing up river in a launch named Challenge. Dave Sadd made out the lights of Waterloo Bridge with a lower row being the street lights on Victoria Embankment. To the centre can be seen the illuminated clock face of Shell Mex House.

