Penny Points to Paradise

A montage of Brighton and Hove landmarks are seen as the film gets under way. This is Brighton Palace Pier dating from 1899.

The 120 year old pier now, seen from ground level. (SD)

Looking towards Grand Junction Road and King’s Road from the Palace Pier.

Taken in 2011 but seems a fair match. SJ

A repeat of capture 2.

Another view from the Palace Pier, with the i360, which opened in 2016, seen top left. (SD)

Facing Marine Parade with the southern end of Old Steine in the foreground. Old Steine features in ‘Penny Points to Paradise’, 'The Big Switch', ‘Be My Guest’ and ‘Pop Pirates’.

Norman was here in 'One Good Turn'. (SD)

The Grade I listed Royal Pavilion, also known as Brighton Pavilion in Pavilion Gardens. The Royal Pavilion was also seen in 'The Girl With a Pistol', 'Richard III', Ashes and Sand’ and 2010’s ‘Brighton Rock’.

Now with bushes. (SD)

Shelters on the Esplanade stand in front of Astra House on King’s Road, Brighton.

Bertie and his parrot were here in 'The Night We Got the Bird'. (SD)

The Western Lawns Bandstand, Hove with Walsingham Terrace on Kingsway in the background and Walsingham Road to the right.

The bandstand was demolished in 1965. (SD)

Passengers alight as the train bringing football pools winner Harry and his pal Spike to the coast arrives in Brighton.

The glass and iron roof of the station was constructed in 1882/1883. Thanks to Brighton Station security staff for permission to take photos. PB.

Harry Flakers (Harry Secombe) and Spike Donnelly (Spike Milligan) get off the express from London. The station features in many productions including 'One Good Turn', and 'Jigsaw'.

Platforms 5 and 6, looking north. PB.

A cross-eyed Porter (Sam Kydd) almost steps off the platform as he carries the friends’ cases to the taxi rank.

Platforms 5 and 6, looking south to the station entrance. PB.

The Porter leads the pair away from the concourse. Brighton station on Junction Road.

The Brighton Station entrance now. (SD)

A Taxi Driver (Sam Kydd) brings his ramshackle car to a stand outside the station. Brighton station approach road.

The station entrance . No vehicle access these days. PB.

Harry and Spike begin the bumpy journey to their lodgings. Outside Brighton station looking towards Queen’s Road to the left and Junction Road on the right. The area outside the station appears in 'The Counterfeit Plan'.

After falling from the back seats, the two Londoners recover themselves and chase the cab.

Vernon Terrace, one of the Seven Dials in Brighton. (SD)

The taxi comes to a halt at the unassuming boarding house that the two friends visit every year. Third Avenue, Hove in Sussex.

Now with a different lamp post. The old style of lamp post still exists in Hove (if you are interested in lamp posts). (SD)

Spike and Harry grab their luggage and enter Langfords Hotel. Third Avenue with King’s Gardens and the English Channel in the distance.

The view of the English Channel slightly washed out by low winter sun. (SD)

Knocked unconscious when recovering from an hypnotic trance, Harry dreams that he is a famous sportsman.

Harry also runs a race during the black-out before putting the shot.

The Major (Peter Sellers) waves as counterfeiters Edward Haynes and Digger Graves flee the hotel when the police arrive. Third Avenue, Hove in Sussex, now East Sussex.

Now, with nothing happening. (SD)

Sheila Gilroy (Vicki Page) and the Officers rush from the hotel to find that Harry, Spike and Sheila have taken the police car. Langfords Hotel on Third Avenue, still standing and still open for business.

Now with a modern entrance. (SD)

The crooks speed away towards the seafront. Facing Marine Parade from Lewes Crescent in Kemp Town with and the east end of Chichester Terrace to the right.

A rapidly darkening sky the weather forecast described as "sunny intervals"! (SD)

Carrying his gun, the Major (Peter Sellers) climbs onto his bike and sets off in pursuit of the forgers. Third Avenue in Hove.

Viewed by the steps of the modern entrance. (SD)

Having hailed the decrepit taxi, Sheila and the Policemen join the chase.

A reversed view of Chichester Terrace as it appears in the film. This is actually facing west. (SD)

Facing west on Marine Parade in Brighton.

With buildings on the corner of Eaton Place to the right. (SD)

Old Steine seen from Madeira Drive with the Royal Albion Hotel to the right.

The Royal Albion Hotel was also seen in 'Ashes and Sand', 'Genevieve' and 'One Good Turn'. (SD)

Old Steine with Royal York Buildings ahead.

A similar view was seen in 'Genevieve'. (SD)

Haynes and his sidekick turn off the main road.

The pursuit continues through a farm.

All three cars pass over a level crossing as the gates begin to close. Located by Stephen Dean and confirmed by Terence Staveley, this is Brighton Road in Crawley, West Sussex. Norman walked to Brighton from here in 'One Good Turn'.

The location now. (SD)

Continuity seems to have been disregarded as a corner shop is passed. Springfield Road, Crawley, viewed from West Street. (SD)

Springfield Road viewed from West Street, with the Asda Superstore now in the background. (SD)

The dilapidated taxi negotiates North Street in Brighton. The view is facing west and on the extreme right the base of the Jubilee Clock Tower can be seen.

David Hemmings and Andrea Monet walked by and Fred Hale ran past the clock tower in 'Brighton Rock' (1947). (SD)

Lewes Crescent in Kemp Town with properties on Sussex Square in the background.

The Lewes Crescent properties, and their associated cars, now. (SD)

Edward Haynes (Alfred Marks) follows Digger Graves into Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks. Grand Junction Road with Madeira Drive in the right distance.

The waxworks closed in 1979. (SD)

The Policemen arrive in the clapped out cab. The waxworks was sandwiched between the Albion Rooms and the Royal Albion Hotel on Grand Junction Road facing Brighton’s seafront.

Now unrecognisable with the altered facade. (SD)

Well wishers line the footpath outside the church where Harry weds Christine Russell (Paddie O’Neil) and Spike marries Sheila in a double wedding. The church of St. Andrew on Church Road, Hove.

A lych gate, which was added in 1953, made lining up this shot more difficult than I expected. (SD)

Always handy, the rickety taxi arrives to carry the newly-weds away. The corner of Brunswick Square and Kingsway in Hove. The inland part of Brunswick Square features in ‘Genevieve’.

Brunswick Square was also seen in 'Ashes and Sand'. (SD)

A Drunk (Freddie Frinton) weeps as he holds the arm of the Langfords Hotel Landlady (Hazel Jennings). The church yard of St. Andrew’s Old Church on Church Road.

No weeping drunks in the churchyard today. (SD)

Harry is once again left chasing the taxi as it drives away along the sea front. Facing eastward on Kingsway in Hove, Sussex. Kingsway is also seen in ‘The Night We Got the Bird’.

A replacement for my previous shot, with no white van to spoil the view. (SD)