Room to Let

Date: 1950
Director: Godfrey Grayson
Production Company: Hammer Films

Stars: Jimmy Hanley, Valentine Dyall, Constance Smith, Charles Hawtrey, Laurence Naismith
Location(s): Berkshire, London

Region(s): ,

Storyline:

Following a fire at an asylum a young journalist is convinced that one of the patients has escaped and taken lodgings with a local household.

Additional Information:

Screen captures uploaded by Phil Wilkinson

 

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  • Capture 1
  • 'Now' required

Over drinks with two friends, an elderly Curly Minter recounts his experiences as a young journalist.

  • Capture 2
  • 'Now' required

Curly recalls his final investigation, a fire at The Towers asylum during the early part of the century during which he believes that a patient escaped. Likely to be stock footage rather than a building set ablaze by the producers.

  • Capture 3
  • 26 Mar 2022

The morning after the fire, Doctor Fell (Valentine Dyall) arrives to take a room at Mrs. Musgrave’s house. Pembridge Square in London W2.

Parked cars made the best angle impossible, and the wall is much smarter now. SJ

  • Capture 4
  • 16 Jul 2017

Curly Minter (Jimmy Hanley) arrives at Mrs. Musgrave’s. Looking over towards Pembridge Square Garden on Pembridge Square.

Unfortunately the whole block was covered with cladded scaffolding on my first visit in July 2017, during which I believe all the front walls on the row were built up, and I posted a not-a-wasted-journey shot. But this one shows a clearer gardens with the buds yet to bloom. SJ

  • Capture 5
  • 26 Mar 2022

The friend of the family heads below stairs where he finds Alice, the maid. Pembridge Square in Notting Hill identified on The Cine-Tourist website.

Without trespassing, one can make out the same iron-work on the steps up to the main door. SJ

  • Capture 6
  • 30 Jul 2018

The cub reporter pours tea while paying a visit to ship owner Mr. Atkinson (John Clifford). The round finials at the top of the steps in the background identify this as the terrace at Oakley Court on Windsor Road, Water Oakley in Berkshire.

And here's the finial in question. SJ

  • Capture 7
  • 'Now' required

Continuing his investigation into the missing patient, Curly questions Sergeant Cranbourne (Reginald Dyson).

  • Capture 8
  • 30 Jul 2018

While she watches a firework display with Mike Atkinson (Charles Hawtrey), Molly Musgrave (Constance Smith) confirms Curly’s suspicions about the mysterious Dr. Fell. The fountain to the left stands in the grounds of Oakley Court near Bray.

Off angle but here's that fountain. SJ

  • Capture 9
  • 26 Mar 2022

Curly and the Sergeant run to Mrs. Musgrave’s house. Pembridge Square with the corner of Pembridge Place to the left.

A wider shot of the corner. SJ

  • Capture 10
  • 'Now' required

Having broken in to find Mrs. Musgrave lying at the foot of the stairs, the two head for the window of the Dr. Fell’s locked room. Oakley Court appears in many other productions including ‘The House in Nightmare Park’, 1950's 'Someone at the Door', ‘And Now the Screaming Starts!’, ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ and ‘What the Butler Saw’.

  • Capture 11
  • 'Now' required

Followed by the Sergeant, Curly climbs up to where the two discover the Doctor’s dead body. A more recognisable view of Oakley Court in Berkshire.

  • Capture 12
  • 'Now' required

In the present, well 1950, an elderly Curly walks home with his wife Molly after concluding his story. Phil Richards identifies this as a wall to Oakley Court, in fact the same wall that appeares in 'Someone at the door (1950) - Capture 5 . There is now a car park where the greenhouses used to be. (RL)