Sapphire

A Mother and her children take a Sunday morning walk across Hampstead Heath in north-west London.

Denis Hoare took this shot of the path from East Heath Road leading to Lime Avenue at the back/side of The Pryors. The sign, he says, has been replaced and is now sited nearer the road, behind the camera. (RL)

Denis Hoare has provided this additional shot of the police arriving at the scene for, as he says, it sets the location for other captures. Lime Avenue on Hampstead Heath facing east about 100yds from The Pryors. (RL)

Denis provides this comparative shot with just a lone person in the distance. (RL)

Policemen begin their investigation after the children discover the body of a dead girl.

Denis Hoare revisited the scene to find that the foliage has thrived over the last 60 years, but the shape of the path and the area on the right is still recognisable. (RL)

On Monday morning, student arrive at the Royal Academy of Music. Marylebone Road, London NW1.

Peter notices that the urns have been moved.

An agitated David Harris (Paul Massie) approaches the building before asking Patsy if she’s seen Sapphire. The Royal Academy of Music on Marylebone Road, seen in 'Gideon's Day' and in the background during 'Incense for the Damned' and 'Say Hello to Yesterday'.

Tilting down, Peter gets a closer view of the wandering decor.

A police car arrives as David walks away to search for his girlfriend. Facing eastward on Marylebone Road NW1.

Block paving replaces pavement slabs in Peter's view.

Inspector Phil Learoyd (Michael Craig) gets out of the car and enters the Royal Academy to make enquiries.

A last look at the Academy by Peter.

David makes his way to Foscari’s where Sapphire usually hangs out with the other students. The corner of Windmill Street and Charlotte Street in W1.

Proven by David Neicho.

Outside the coffee bar, a fellow Student (John Richardson) congratulates David on his scholarship. Facing northeast on Windmill Street W1 located by David Neicho.

Windmill Street now. SJ.

The architecture student turns when he hears his name called. Looking onto Charlotte Street from Windmill Street.

Peter captures the present background buildings.

Getting out of a police car, Patsy (Jocelyn Britton) breaks the news to David that the murdered girl on Hampstead Heath was Sapphire Robbins. Windmill Street from the corner of Charlotte Street. The junction can be seen in 'Everything', 'Last Night in Soho' and 'It Happened in Soho' while the location was seen from the other side of the road in 'Monsieur Ripois'.

Familiar properties on the same street by Peter.

The Inspector asks David if he can help with the investigation. Windmill Street in Fitzrovia.

Peter provides the modern view.

David gets into the car with Inspector Learoyd while Patsy enters the Coffee Bar to tell her friends the news. Windmill Street with the Fitzroy Tavern just visible to the left.

Trees also inhabit the street in Peter's shot.

After questioning at the police station, the Inspector takes David to the Oakland Park Dairy where his sister works. York Rise N5.

Unmistakable side wall. SJ.

A door opens when the car comes to a stand. York Rise with the Dartmouth Arms public house to the left.

This picture by Tris shows the public house still in situ.

Detective Sergeant Newton (Walter Brookes) watches as David gets out of the car and goes inside to speak with his sister Mildred. Looking towards the junction of Dartmouth Park Road and York Rise.

A modern comparison from Tris.

David’s father, Ted Harris (Bernard Miles) paints a sign on a shop window. Malden Road at the corner of Rhyl Street in NW5.

Tris took this shot of the altered shopfront.

A bus brings Mildred Farr (Yvonne Mitchell) from the dairy. Following discussions with Denis Hoare and a review of the evidence provided in this sequence the location has been revised to be looking across Malden Road, London NW5 to its junction with Modbury Street. The launderette (blue shopfront) was at 67 Malden Road. All now demolished and replaced by an apartment block by the name of 'Southfleet'. (RL)

Denis provides this shot of the replacement block 'Southfleet'. (RL)

Alighting from the bus, Mildred runs towards her father. The junction of Malden Road and Rhyl Street.

Further south with only the top of the frame holding the evidence. SJ.

Mildred tells Ted that the murdered girl was Sapphire. Facing Malden Road from the corner of Rhyl Street.

The now unrecognisable location captured by Tris who adds that buildings along Malden Road have long since been demolished and replaced with the Southfleet housing block.

Ted Harris drives his daughter home. The junction of Oakford Road and Lady Somerset Road in NW5.

Looking down Lady Somerset Road. SJ.

The van is brought to a stand outside the family home. Oakford Road, Tufnell Park.

Number 2a, The Yard on Oakford Road. SJ.

Ted and Mildred enter the house to find Detectives questioning David. The property stands at the southern end of Oakford Road NW5.

Tris took this view of same steps at number 2 Oakford Road with the entrance to Oakford Yard visible to the left.

After questioning the Harris's, Superintendent Robert Hazard (Nigel Patrick) and Inspector Learoyd leave the house. Oakford Road in NW5 with Lady Somerset Road in the right background.

The houses on Lady Somerset Road unchanged. SJ.

Constable Jack Ferris (Rupert Davies) confirms that David Harris was seen at around 11 pm on Saturday night. Outside the Boston Hotel on Dartmouth Park Hill with Tufnell Park station beyond the crossroads formed by Junction Road, Tufnell Park Road, Brecknock Road and Fortess Road in N19.

Still the same, taken from the corner of The Boston pub. SJ.

The Detectives are driven back to Hampstead Heath. Dartmouth Park Hill, London NW5. Tris adds that The still trading Boston Arms public house is at the immediate right but the shops to the left were replaced by Acland Burghley School between 1963 and 1967.

Dubious. I turned round from the previous shot and took what I saw. SJ. Ray and Ron Glenister say that SJ should not be dubious, the distinctive roof line of St. Mary Brookfield Church confirms. (RL)

Inside fictional Babettes on Shaftesbury Avenue, Sergeant Cook asks about some of the clothing found in Sapphire’s bedsit.

Christopher Matheson has been waiting a long time to cover this shot of the reflection in the window of 61-63 Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1 (Bella Italia) showing the junction with Macclesfield Street. The sun blind has always been down, and remains so, and when the restaurant is open the lights prevent a reflection. Having now succeeded he is concerned about not including the pavement. We are suitably satisfied Christopher. (RL)

Hazzard and Learoyd leave Dr. Burgess’s surgery after discovering that Sapphire was pregnant. Facing west on Church Row, London NW3.

A shot from Christopher Matheson revealing that virtually nothing has changed, well, maybe a lamp post is missing. (RL)

Hazzard and Learoyd are told of Sapphire's previous addresses. Church Row in Hampstead which also appears in 'Cemetery Junction', 'Alias John Preston' and 'Stage Fright'.

Now, unchanged, apart from the motors. SJ.

In Earls Court, a Landlady recalls Sapphire and gives her opinion. Ray Glenister gives his opinion too, the assembled company is at the door of 39 Hogarth Road, Earls Court, London SW5. (RL)

Looking across Hogarth Road towards no. 60. SJ

The Detectives thank the Landlady for being helpful. Naturally they remain on the steps of No 39 Hogarth Road says Ray. The street also appears in 'Straight On Till Morning', 'Georgy Girl', 'Laughter in the Dark', 'Two a Penny' and 'Mr. Forbush and the Penguins'. (RL)

No. 39 appears to be re-named 5 + 7 Knaresbourgh House, with just the 7 on the door. SJ

The pair get into the car and head for Chelsea Women's Hospital to question one of Sapphire's former friends. Returning to their car in Hogarth Road we see Knaresborough Place in the background Ray points out. (RL)

Looking east. SJ

David is watched by Detective Whitehead as he scours Hampstead Heath.

Whilst on the Heath Denis also managed this shot for us noting that the path is leading away from the mixed bathing pond going towards Lime Avenue. It's a bit wider these days, and currently, much muddier! (RL)

Barrister Paul Slade (Gordon Heath) leaves the Police Station after helping the Superintendent with his enquiries. The junction of King's Road and Milman's Street SW10. John Gorton advises that this is outside the old Chelsea police station on King's Road which was in use up until about 1938 then left empty.

Now, seen in a different era. SJ.

A Student (Dolores Mantez) friend sits at the wheel as Paul climbs into the car. Facing Milman's Street and The Globe public house from King's Road and, as you'll no doubt recall, we've been here several times before in 'Linda', 'An Alligator Named Daisy', 'Lost' and 'Victim'.

Peter has been here several times before too.

Paul is driven away in the Jaguar XK120. David identifies this as Great Western Road, London W9. An almost identical shot is seen in 'Duffer'.

This shot confirms the location as Great Western Road with The Grand Union public house standing to the right. PW

When he finds something in the grass, David leaves the heath and walks towards a drain to dispose of it. Identified by Hugh Stevenson, this is the corner of Well Road and East Heath Road in NW3 with The Pryors just visible to the right. Better views of the Pryors can be seen in 'An American Werewolf in London', 'Son of Dracula' and 'The Chain' as well as 'Arthur? Arthur!'.

Tris provides this shot of the same corner.

Soon after the discarded object is retrieved by Detective Whitehead, David appears from the side of his father's paint shop. This is at the rear of the property on Oakford Road.

With thanks to Denis Hoare who took this shot, and appreciation and thanks from both Denis and us at Reelstreets to the present owners, the architects 'Martins Camisuli', who not only allowed him access, but provided historical information as well as moving vehicles enabling him to take unobstructed shots. This is inside Oakford Yard. The sign was a prop as the premises was a glazier’s at the time of filming, and is now occupied by 'Martins Camisuli'. Denis advises that the black door at the back has been bricked up and is now a window, and the window above it has been altered. The window frames look to be original, and there’s now plenty of potted shrubs to give the yard a less austere look. (RL)

Hazzard and Learoyd pay a visit to The International Club. The junction of Courtfield Gardens and Collingham Place in SW5.

A few seconds later and the approaching police car would have been in the right place but I had to get off the crossing. (RL)

Outside Artillery House at 10 Knaresborough Place with buildings on Collingham Place in the right background.

Virtually unchanged except for more "street furniture". (RL)

The two go inside and are greeted by Mr. Young who introduces them to some of the members. Artillery House on Knaresborough Place SW5.

A subsequent change of use. (RL)

One of the members is given a lift home after giving helpful information to Hazzard.

The club member is identified as a Montessori Student who knows Paul Slade.

Acting on the Student's information, Hazzard and Learoyd head to Tulip's, a back street club in Shepherds Bush.

Johnnie Fiddle (Harry Baird) makes a run for it when he sees the Detectives as he leaves the club.

Guided by "Tavistock" of Britmovie forum Christopher Matheson provides this shot of Lorenzo Street, London WC1 with Pentonville Road at the top. The pub, apparently, was "The York Arms" at 2 Lorenzo Street, now lost, but the pyramid shaped column remains. (RL)

Nice lighting . . . Given the pattern of the cobbles, the horse shafts to the right of the picture (Collage 78007), the sequence of Capture 46 and the similarity to Collage picture 78005, this must also be Price's Yard, off Copenhagen Street, London N1 looking south towards Copenhagen Street. (RL)

. . . there's not much else that can be said about a sequence of someone running. Whilst viewing LMA Collage for Capture 50 Christopher found Collage Image 78009 an almost identical shot of what was Price's Yard off Copenhagen Street, London N1. Here looking north. (RL)

Johnnie continues to run through the darkened streets. Christopher Matheson has located this as Copenhagen Street looking towards Matilda Street, London N1. Now, sadly, totally redeveloped. (RL)

These streets look real enough, however that phone box looks like a prop due to the doors being K2 style and the body looking more like a K6 . . . is that too nerdy?

Refuge is sought in Joe's café where the customers are less than helpful or polite.

Tom's Barber Shop . . . Joe's café . . . is this a studio set or a real location dressed for the film? A real location identified by Christopher Matheson as Copenhagen Street, London N1. He adds that "Tom's" at 120 was Tancredi Casele, hairdresser and next door at 118 was Evelyn Harold Finn, electrical contractors, who were also at 116 on the corner with Matilda Street. The parade from Matilda Street, in 1969, can be viewed at LMA Collage No: 77960. The gap is the entrance to 'Price's Yard' seen in earlier captures. (RL)

Breaking free of a fight with Teddy Boys, Johnnie finds a Newsagent closing his shop and is allowed through to the back yard.

Scaling a wall, Johnnie finds his escape cut off by Hazzard and Learoyd. A studio set or a real street? Given the filming in the area Ray has found a passageway with posts running between what was Havelock Street and Outram Street, N1. Here the background shows 41/43 Outram Street, so apparently, not a set but real. (RL)

Note the same background buildings when Johnnie turns in the opposite direction to be faced by Policeman. See previous capture. (RL)

Hazzard and Learoyd arrive outside Johnnie Fiddle's lodgings. Southam Street, London W10, now demolished.

Elkstone Road has replaced Southam Street but the Great Western Main Line still runs behind the fence in the right background. PW

Southam Street looking towards Kensal Road in London W10. The street in the background is Elcom Street, the next one westwards along Kensal Road from Modena Street.

The area is now covered by Meanwhile Gardens and Elkstone Road. PW

Finding bloodstained clothing and a knife, the Detectives are driven back to the station. Southam Street with buildings on St. Ervan's Road in the background.

Now Elkstone Road, captured by Richard Bennett.

Solicitor Ralph Piggot (Unknown) discusses David’s alibi with Mr. Harris. Outside the Forum Cinema on Highgate Road in Kentish Town, London NW5.

Replacing Simon Irvine's wider Google image, Tris captures the underneath of the canopy at the Forum Cinema, currently named as the O2 Forum.

Inspector Learoyd is driven back to the area where Johnnie Fingers lives. The corner of Kensal Road and Modena Street.

Richard Bennett stood as near as he could to the exact location for this view from Elkstone Road facing what has become the Meanwhile Skate Park with Trellick tower standing in the left background

The car stops outside the the boarding house where Horace 'Big Cigar' has a room. Modena Street in London W10 which is also seen in 'Violent Moment'.

The street was cleared in the mid 1970s. PW

Learoyd scans the front of the building. Long demolished properties on Modena Street.

The Inspector enters the run down slum to verify Johnnie's alibi. Modena Street, now Meanwhile Gardens, London W10.

The houses in the left background still stand on Homemead Road and those to the right are on Great Western Road. (PW)

A warrant is obtained to search Ted Harris’s workshop. Detective Whitehead (Peter Vaughan). The yard at the rear of properties at the corner of Oakford Road and Lady Somerset Road.

Oakford Yard, looking back to the entrance/exit taken by Denis and with thanks to 'Martins Camisuli' (Capture 38 refers). (RL)

A shocked Mildred Farr arrives home to see David and her father watching the Police.

Taken by Denis looking out onto Oakford Road with the rear of the houses on Lady Somerset Road in view on the right. With thanks to 'Martins Camisuli' (Capture 38 refers). (RL)

Detective Sergeant Newton oversees the removal of a pram from the workshop.

Looking into the yard, the building that the police are carrying the pram out from, is out of shot on the left. Denis couldn’t get any police vehicles in shot as per the film, he questions whether this Mini and Skoda are acceptable substitutes. Yes Denis, in the circumstances. With thanks to 'Martins Camisuli' (Capture 38 refers)(RL)

After Sapphire's murderer is driven away, the Detectives say farewell to Dr. Robbins (Earl Cameron). Oakford Road NW5.

The east side of the street. SJ.

Dr. Robbins walks away, heading back to his surgery in Birmingham. Lady Somerset Road, curving away past the junction with Burghley Road in Tufnell Park.

Denis provides this shot to replace the Google Earth View provided by Graham Leslie in 2017. Triple checking the location with the film the only thing he says that doesn’t match, or he cannot make out, is any telephone footway box in the original screen grab (the one by the wheelie bins.), though it COULD be there, or maybe houses then had their telephone service served using poles, and the underground wiring installed after the film was shot. The housing architecture in any event looks spot on Denis. (RL)

Superintendent Hazard and Inspector Learoyd are taken back to the police station. Oakford Road, London NW5 with now demolished buildings on Burghley Road in the distance.

There's a different distant building in this shot by Tris.