Professionals, The (1960)

Driving through the rain, a police car comes into view. Looking north-east along Packhorse Road from the junction with Ethorpe Close and Station Road in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire.

Antony Blair returned to Gerrards Cross.

The car pulls up outside a bank on Beecher Street where Vince Clayton (Edward Cast) and Joe Lawson (Stratford Johns) get out and enter the building. Station Road, Gerrards Cross.

The background land has been built on in Antony Blair's view.

Giving his name as CID Inspector Cooper, Lawson leaves the bank with Clayton after a meeting with Mr. Beaumont the Manager during which they warn of a robbery planned for that night. Looking over Packhorse Road from Station Road with the Picture Playhouse on Ethorpe Close in the background. The cinema can also be seen in 'Carry On Camping'.

Antony Blair found that robbery is easier now with 'Takeaway Treats' available!

Lawson and Clayton get into the waiting car. The junction of Station Road, Packhorse Road and Ethorpe Close in Gerrards Cross.

For a change, Antony Blair captured a quieter junction.

The Wolseley drives away as Mr. Beaumont appears from his office holding his head to tell the Staff that they've been robbed. Station Road with the still extant numbers 3, 5, 7 and 9 to the right.

A getaway would be just as easy now, as Antony Blair discovered.

Recruiting safe cracker Philip Bowman when he's released from prison, Lawson's gang set out from their hideout at the Apex timber yard and head for the City Bank in London.

The Bedford van approaches a manhole at a corner in the city. Facing south on Foster Lane EC2 with Goldsmiths' Hall on the left and Union House to the right.

Paul Lincoln was pleased that the lamp posts remain to assist with alignment. (RL)

Lawson hands Philip Bowman (William Lucas) a carton of gas capsules while Clayton grabs a bag of tools. Foster Lane with a since demolished building on Gresham Street in the left background.

The corner of Gresham Street from Foster Lane now. SJ

Eddie Holden (Charles Vance) closes the van's door as the gang prepare to climb down into the sewer system. Foster Lane at the corner of Gresham Street with Noble Street in the left background.

A much greener location captured by Paul. (RL)

Later that evening, Bowman's fiancée Ruth Glenning (Colette Wilde) makes her way to the pictures.

Hoping for a distraction, Ruth enters the cinema . . . . where 1959's 'Never So Few' is showing, a US action movie featuring guerrillas trying to stop the Japanese invasion of Burma.

While Lawson and his Men dig their way into the bank's vault from the sewers, Ruth sits uncomfortably watching a film . . . obviously the supporting feature. In footage borrowed from 'Who Done It?' a Humber Super Snipe police car registration JKM 841 heads towards the camera. This is looking south-eastward along Harrow Road W9 towards the distant junction with Sutherland Avenue.

Richard Bennett returned to capture the location of the film within a film.

Morning brightens and hired crooks Paddy Regan (Patrick Boxill) and Cairns prepare to leave the wood yard.

Bottles rattle as a milk float passes along the street outside the bank. Looking north on Old Jewry EC2 with Gresham Street in the left background.

The east side of the street is intact. SJ

Regan and Cairns drive onto the main road. Facing York Road from Belmont Road in Uxbridge, Middlesex with the Messrs. Alfred Button & Sons Ltd grocery warehouse to the left.

Antony Blair found a very different scene.

The truck turns and heads for London. Looking north-west along Belmont Road from the corner of Lancaster Road in Uxbridge.

The properties to the left in Antony Blair's comparison prove the location.

Two Constables turn into the street as Bowman prepares to blow the safe beneath the bank. The pavement outside number 11 Old Jewry.

The "11" had moved. SJ

Checking doors as they pass, the two Policemen walk from view while the gang wait. Facing south on Old Jewry, towards the junction of Cheapside and Poultry.

An entrance has been added on the left. SJ

Reaching the City, Regan steers into the street where the bank stands before stopping. Lothbury EC2 with the junction of Moorgate and Prince's Street crossing in the centre and the Bank of England top right.

From ground level Paul found the view visualy busier. (RL)

Regan and Cairns (Larry Taylor) open out a roll of barbed wire across the roadway. Looking south on Old Jewry with Fredrick's Place to the top right of centre.

Rather obstructed a view here. SJ

More wire is deployed on the empty streets.

With the task complete, Cairns looks out from the back of the truck as Regan pulls away. Old Jewry with the corner of Fredrick's Place to the centre and Gresham Street beyond.

The view north. SJ

When the bank's alarm is triggered by the explosion, a patrol car turns in the street after receiving a message from Cloak Lane police station. Looking south from Aldersgate Street, along St. Martin's Le Grand in EC1 with the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral beyond the General Post Office and the junction of Newgate Street.

Despite the changes Paul Lincoln still managed to get St. Paul's into the frame. (RL)

A slight pan right brings the surviving building at the corner of Angel Street into view.

Paul enjoyed the Bank Holiday peace of the City now softened by trees. (RL)

The car speeds away towards the City Bank. The corner of Gresham Street EC2 where Aldersgate Street meets St. Martin's Le Grand in EC1

And panning left Paul found a much changed junction......pity about the bank holiday road maintenance. (RL)

Grabbing the spare keys to the bank a Policeman leaves the police station. Outside Cloak Lane police station at the corner of Cloak Lane and College Hill EC4. The police station closed in 1965 and can be seen in 'Tiger in the Smoke'.

Paul Lincoln was not obstructed with traffic. (RL)

A car takes the Officer to the bank while the Gang continue to strip the safe of cash. College Hill with Cannon Street crossing the background.

The building in the background must surely be replacement to that being constructed in 1960. (RL)

The police car draws closer as Bowman checks his watch in the vault. Facing northward on Wood Street EC2 with the tower of the ruined St. Alban church at the corner of Love Lane to the centre.

Paul had to accept an ambulance as no police car appeared on the scene. (RL)

Turning a corner, the Wolseley comes to an abrupt halt in front of the barbed wire. The junction of Gresham Street, Coleman Street, Lothbury and Old Jewry.

Paul Lincoln was once again blessed with very little traffic. (RL)

Sending other Officers to the rear of the bank, a Detective watches as a Policeman tackles the wire. Old Jewry in EC2.

Very little foreground activity to engage Paul. (RL)

Another car approaches the bank from the opposite end of the street. Old Jewry, facing south towards numbers 3, 4 and 5 Poultry.

Replaced buildings on Poultry; and the pub on the left has vanished. SJ

A Sergeant and two Policemen struggle to move the wire. Outside the Three Crowns public house on Old Jewry with the entrance to Dove Court on the right.

It took two visits and an old map consultation to find the pub's site next to the long gone Dove Court. I know which view I prefer. SJ

As the Officers enter the bank, Lawson and his Gang flee in their van. The corner of Gresham Street and Foster Lane in EC2.

The corner now. SJ

Moving left, the camera watches the van as it disappears from view. Looking south-eastward on Gresham Street with St. Lawrence's church in the distance beyond the crossroads formed by Wood Street and Goldsmiths' Hall to the right.

One can barely make out St Lawrence behind the tree but it's there! Original buildings on the right. SJ

The following morning, after being questioned by Inspector Rankin, Benson (Arthur Skinner) follows Holden to the registry office where Bowman and Ruth are to be married. The unnamed roadway off High Street in Uxbridge, Middlesex with the building numbered 259 to the left and the Regal cinema at number 233 on the right.

Antony Blair takes advantage of the now missing 259 High Street.

Following the ceremony, Ruth watches the short convoy taking Inspector Rankin, her Husband, Lawson, Clayton and the stolen money from their flat. Baker's Road in Uxbridge with Uxbridge Metropolitan Line station in the top distance.