Secret Cave, The (Children’s Film Foundation)

Date: 1953
Director: John Durst
Production Company: Children's Film Foundation (CFF), Merton Park Studios

Stars: David Coote, Nicholas Edmett, Trevor Hill, Susan Ford, Lewis Gedge, Johnny Morris, Michael Bird, Harry Carter, Kenn Kennedy, May Loader, Jean McLeman
Location(s): Somerset

Region(s):

Storyline:

Not realising the consequences, two boys divert water from a stream which is used to run the village watermill.

Additional Information:

Page compiled by Phil Wilkinson

Based on Thomas Hardy’s ‘Our Exploits At West Poley’ released in 1892, two Children’s Film Foundation productions have been adapted from the short story. This one, and ‘Exploits At West Poley’ made in 1985.

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Travelling through the West Country, a bus carries Lennie Hawkins to the village of West Poley.

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The bus stops outside The Jolly Miller. Long Street in Croscombe, Somerset with the Old Manor House playing the public house.

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George Draycot (Kenn Kennedy) follows his son Steve (David Coote) as he runs towards Lennie Hawkins (Nick Edmett) when he alights from the bus. Long Street, Croscombe in the Mendip Hills.

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Telling them that he'll be back later, George leaves the two cousins to make their own way home. Outside the Old Manor House in Croscombe.

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Taking a short cut over the hill, Steve and Lennie come across Margaret Merriman (Susan Ford) walking towards them carrying a piglet.

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When it escapes from Margaret's arms and runs away, the children follow the piglet to where Steve rescues the animal when it becomes trapped in a hole.

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After exploring the passage that leads into Nick's Pocket, a network of caves, Steve takes Lennie to meet his friend Job Tary who works at Ebenezer Griffin's mill. Looking towards Long Street from what is now known as Back Lane in Croscombe with the River Sheppey behind the wall on the left and Top Mill to the right.

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The camera finds the weir at the back of the mill. The weir on the headrace at Top Mill on the River Sheppey in Croscombe.

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Job Tary (Trevor Hill) appears at a window when Steve whistles. Top Mill on Long Street, which dates from around 1800.

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Letting himself down by hoist, Job joins Steve and Lennie. The lucam of Top Mill in Croscombe.

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Finding him outside the mill, Ebenezer Griffin (Lewis Gedge) sends Job back inside to work. Top Mill had ceased to be operated commercially the year before the film's release.

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Steve and Lennie re-enter Nick's Pocket where they come upon a stream which they dam with rocks while trying to reach an old animal jaw bone beneath the water. Wookey Hole Caves at Wookey Hole near Wells in Somerset.

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In West Poley, the mill wheel keeps on turning as George Draycott speaks with Job about the future.

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As Ebenezer takes off his belt to beat Job when he discovers that the lad wants to work on Mr. Draycot's farm, the level of the stream driving the mill starts to drop. The bridge carrying Duncart Lane over the River Sheppey in Croscombe.

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When the machinery stops, the Miller goes outside and looks down at the dry bed of the stream. Long Street with the Old Manor House to the top left.

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Filled with rage, Ebenezer's bellowing brings Villagers out of their homes. Duncart Lane in Croscombe.

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Villagers make their way to where the stream used to flow as the Miller shouts that he's ruined and that the mill will never work again. The banks of the River Sheppey in Croscombe with the bridge carrying Duncart Lane to the right.

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In East Poley, a celebration is in progress. Long Street in Croscombe, Somerset with the Rose & Crown public house at the corner of Church Street on the left.

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Having made their way to the village, Lennie bring free ice creams to Steve and Job. Long Street in Croscombe. The Rose & Crown to the left is currently a bed and breakfast after being renamed to the Bull Terrier in 1976 before closing in 2013.

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A band marches though the street. Long Street in Croscombe where the background buildings have since lost some of their character.

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When asked what the celebrations are for, the young Cymbal Player explains that a new stream has started flowing through the village. Facing Enstone on Long Street, Croscombe.

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Children play in the water of the stream flowing along the street. Looking along Church Street from the junction with Long Street in Croscombe.

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Mr. Voyce the Butcher (Harry Carter) tells the boys that the new stream will be good for the folk of East Poley. Long Street in Croscombe, Somerset with the Market Cross to the left and the Rose & Crown as the backdrop.

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As businesses begin to suffer in West Poley, Villagers make their way to the old pump on the farm . . . the only water supply still working.

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Free from working at the mill, Job tells Steve and Lennie that he's to start work on the farm from Monday.

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Steve and Lennie dress as magicians and return to the cave when they realise that it was they who caused the change in the flow of water before tensions begin to rise between the Residents of West Poley and East Poley,