Seven Green Bottles

The bell rings at a west London school. North Kensington Secondary School on Lancaster Road, London W11. The school has been renamed and is now known as Chepstow House School.

Best shot without invading the building's roof opposite. SJ

Alex (Terry Argyle) and Francis 'Franky' McNeal (George Harkins) sneak out of the building. This 34 minute long film was shown in schools into the 1980s as a deterrent against vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

The pair run to find their friends. Looking towards Portobello Road from Acklam Road with the Westway overhead.

There is currently construction work in the shadow of Westway behind me and the Acklam Village Market stalls have been pushed out onto Acklam Road, so, for now, this is best one can manage to show the details of the corner of Portobello Road and Cambridge Gardens seen in the capture's right hand side. This is however an improvement to the shot I loaded the previous month. SJ

After one of them throws an empty bottle onto the roadway above the gang runs off. Looking towards Portobello Road and Acklam Road beyond with the Westway above from the site currently occupied by Portobello Green Market.

Portobello Green itself has transformed itself into a green oasis. SJ

The tearaways find Frog, who slept in a scrap car after his mother threw him out. In the distance stand the Dimco Buildings which were seen in 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' and are now part of the White City bus station on Ariel Way W12.

Skipping school again, the boys decide to break into parked cars in an effort to gain funds. Looking along Charecroft Way from the junction with Richmond Way in W12.

Looking west. SJ

Terry (Mark Gregory) and Frog (Danny John-Jules) try the doors of cars on one street. Charecroft Way with Rockley Road in the distance. The Concorde Centre to the right was redeveloped in the 1990s and 2000s and is currently known as West 12 Shepherd's Bush.

Little evidence of the Concorde centre now. SJ

The rest of the lads try cars on another street. Facing north on Richmond Way in Shepherd's Bush.

A matching scene today. SJ

When a car alarm is set off, the delinquents 'leg it'. Looking towards Richmond Way from Charecroft Way.

Now looking east. SJ

The boys keep running. Brook Green, London W6.

I think this may be the right tree. SJ

Still looking for cash, parking meters are broken into next. Facing Shepherd's Bush Road from Brook Green.

Again I'm working on the trees. Very close to Holy Trinity church seen in Father Brown. SJ

A police 'Panda' car approaches as Alex and Franky keep a look out. The corner of Shepherd's Bush Road and Brook Green in W6.

The corner now. SJ

With the proceeds from the parking meters, fish and chips are bought. The junction of Lancaster Road and All Saints Road. The location features in 'A Hard Day's Night'.

Now a fabric shop. SJ

Alex and Franky eat their chips on the way home. Under the Westway Roundabout in London W10. The area was also seen in 'Theatre of Blood', 'Breaking Glass' and 'Steptoe and Son Ride Again'.

Just taken from slightly further back as I didn't wish to interrupt the spray painter at his work. SJ

The two pals part company. Dixon House and Markland House on Darfield Way W10.

Markland House and Frinstead House offer the better angle. SJ

Alex's mother lectures him about stealing as the camera zooms in on the prison where his father is serving time. Wormwood Scrubs on Du Cane Road W12 as seen from Hammersmith Hospital. The prison makes an appearance in many films including 'Morgan, a Suitable Case for Treatment', 'Fool’s Gold: The Story of the Brink’s-Mat Robbery', 'The Devil Inside', 'Rotten to the Core', 'Jungle Street', 'A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square', 'The Hi-Jackers', 'Nothing Barred', 'The Horse's Mouth', 'Hot Millions' and 'The Italian Job'.

Dave Barry (Dave McCaul) runs after Joey Jackman (Geoffrey Coleman) and Steve (Gerald Cupples). Bonchurch Street W10 looking towards Ladbroke Grove. A big "Hello" to Geoffrey Coleman who contacted us after seeing himself all those years ago.

Looking west. SJ

The three turn a corner and see a commotion in the street. Mozart Street in W10 identified by Richard Lovejoy . . .

. . . which is quite a cut as this is north of the canal and next to W9 in West Kilburn rather than North Kensington. SJ

Dave, Steve and Joey approach the house where a small crowd has gathered. Facing west on Mozart Street.

All shops now private residences. SJ

An old lady that the youths had robbed a few weeks earlier is taken away by ambulance. Mozart Street found by Richard.

Slightly remodelled. SJ

On another day, the truants wander through a street market. Portobello Road with the corner of Tavistock Road in the centre and the Westway passing overhead on the left. Other sections of the famous road appear in a number of productions including ‘Otley’, ‘Notting Hill’, ‘Pressure’, ‘The Wind of Change’, ‘Breaking Glass’, ‘West 11’, ‘The Moon Over the Alley’, 'Bullet to Beijing', ‘Tonite Let's All Make Love in London’, ‘Mantrap’, ‘The File of the Golden Goose’, ‘The Italian Job’, ‘Villain’, ‘Who Done It?’, ‘The Gentle Trap’ and ‘The Traitors’.

In Jan '16 I posted a photo from Oxford Gardens north of Westway looking south. As Derek Harris explained, "Actually, from the south side of Westway. The middle corner, including the Pepsi logo café, was knocked down in 1980 to make space for a square and block off through traffic. I had a shop opposite this spot in the mid 80’s and lived on the (dilapidated) corner of Oxford Gardens in the building you photographed in 2016. A large Children's home is opposite the Oxford Gdns building followed by a long wall which is/was part of a Convent; there are no shops between Oxford Gdns and Golborne Rd on that side." ... A retake is (now was!) in order and on the way but don't hold breath! ... Breathe now, 8 years later, I finally made amends, and this shows a similarly busy market with the new open space on Tavistock Road where the tree is. The buildings (nos. 252-246) on the right match, except that two tympana, at the risk of starting an architectural debate, are now absent. SJ

Goods are stolen from the traders. Portobello Road with the entrance of Alba Place to the right of centre.

All intact though the businesses come and go. SJ

The thieves meet up to compare their takings. Outside the gates of North Kensington Secondary School on Lancaster Road.

This is looking east towards Portobello Road. SJ

As the market didn't produce a profit, a trip to Hammersmith is suggested. Looking towards Ladbroke Grove on Lancaster Road W11.

And a reverse pov. SJ

A large shop is targeted. Woolworths on King Street in Hammersmith W6 with the Kings Mall Shopping Centre under construction. This section of the street also features in 'Poor Cow'.

From ground level: Woolies has now evolved into KFC, Casino Gaming and Best Western Seraphine. SJ

Terry tells Frog to wait outside the store. The corner of King Street and Leamore Street.

Down Leamore Street is the home of 'Cosh Boy'. SJ

The manager sees the boys leave his shop after their spree and calls the police. Facing east on King Street, Hammersmith W6.

Much extended pavement but otherwise minimal change. SJ

When they head back to the station, the police catch up and Joey is caught whilst the others scatter. Holland Park station at the corner of Holland Park Avenue and Lansdowne Road in W11.

Now. SJ

Joey is cautioned at the police station. Paddington Green Police Station at the junction of Harrow Road and Edgware Road. The ground floor and entrance has been redesigned in the intervening years.

Yes, the court has been filled in. SJ

After causing more trouble in the street, the boys run to find Alex. Ray and Ron Glenister have identified this as Faraday Road, London W10 at the junction with Portobello Road. The shop foreground right (red) appears to be hanging on amongst all the re-development. The Trellick Tower background. (RL)

Yup just the right corner hanging on. SJ

Terry and the others walk away after finding Alex helping to load a minibus for a trip away. Also Faraday Road, London W10 say Ray and Ron, no. 55 on the right. (RL)

And this settles it. SJ

Alex jumps down from the minibus roof. And Faraday Road, London W10 once more looking west with Saint Pius X Church, St. Charles Square in the background. (RL)

And a nice new fire station on the right. SJ

The mini-bus carries Alex away to Wales. Looking westward along the Westway with the Hammersmith & City Line turning southwards to the left of centre and Malton Road in the bottom right.

After leaving Alex, Terry suggests stealing a car and a Morris van is taken. Malton Road W10 with the A40 Westway above to the left.

Quite noisy, and dark, here. SJ

Terry swings the van into a side street. Looking towards Cambridge Gardens from the junction of Malton Road and Malton Mews.

One can see the hasty effort where the side gate in the wall has been filled in. SJ

Traffic is overtaken along the main road.

Ron and Ray Glenister identify the "main road" as the junction of Pentonville Road and Caledonian Road, London N1 looking towards Kings Cross Station. A Google Earth shot supports. (RL)

A corner is taken at speed. The Highway at the junction with Glamis Road in Shadwell E1.

It is unlikely that you would ever see just one vehicle there now. (RL)

Continuity is good as the van's journey is followed. The corner of Glamis Road and Wapping Wall.

Much the same today even from ground level. (RL)

The camera pans with the car and we're now looking onto Wapping Wall with the Prospect of Whitby's pub sign in the bottom left corner of the image.

Best possible shot from ground level so as to include all elements. (RL)

The boys speed through the streets. Facing north on Thomas More Street in E1. The walled road also appears in 'It Always Rains on Sunday' and 'Hue and Cry'.

Those windows, now bricked, are just visible but the other side of the road is unrecognisable. (RL)

Terry loses control of the van. Thomas More Street running between St Katherine and Western Docks.

Not much remains of the original. (RL)

A wall is hit and the van turns over. Thomas More Street with one of the, still standing, entrance buildings to London Docks to the top right. The walled road was once called Nightingale Lane.

Indeed, the dock building remains as does some of the wall. (RL)

An approaching motorcyclist swerves but runs into the wreckage. Looking across St Katherine Docks E1 with the clock tower of The Ivory House to the bottom right and Tower Bridge to the top left.

And now with "The Shard" added, centre. (RL)

Terry, Frog and Franky break into their school. The gateway has been redesigned but most of the buildings still stand at the school on Lancaster Road W11.

With items stolen from school, the boys march through the streets. Facing south on the present day Kingsdown Close W11 looking towards Lancaster Road with Notting Hill Methodist Church on the left. The location was seen in 'Steptoe and Son' before the 1970s destruction of the area had begun.

A police car follows the impromptu band. Looking north on Walmer Road, now Kingsdown Close, with the bridge carrying the Hammersmith & City Line to the left.

New building to the right. SJ

The officers confront the boys and Franky is apprehended whilst his pals run away. Walmer Road to the north of the railway bridge.

Franky is remanded to Stamford House for 14 days but absconds on arrival. Stamford House was a secure children's home on Cathnor Road off Goldhawk Road but was demolished in 2009 to make way for the Hammersmith Academy.

Bobby Moore (Himself) comments on Dave's football skills. Craven Cottage, Fulham Football Club's ground in Fulham.

Whilst acknowledging that the view is from the south-west rather than the south-east corner of the pitch, Antony Blair took the opportunity to capture a comparison shot whilst watching Fulham and Brentford play.

Dave sees his former friends still stealing from cars. Looking towards Stevenage Road at the junction with Finlay Street from Craven Cottage in SW6.

The reformed character ignores them and goes inside to get changed. Fulham Football Club's Craven Cottage on Stevenage Road, Fulham.

Terry and Franky run from a pawnbroker's shop that they've robbed. The junction of Portobello Road and Chesterton Road in W10 looking along Golborne Road towards Trellick Tower. A similar view was seen in 'The Moon Over the Alley' and the corner building on the right appeared in 'Notting Hill'.

And in "London Kills Me", and looking beyond on Golborne Road, "Love Actually, Saving Grace" and "About Time." SJ

The pair share out the money from the shop. Looking up at Trellick Tower on Golborne Road W10.

The north side of the tower. SJ

Terry is arrested when he returns home and is eventually sentenced to serve time. Latchmere House, Latchmere Close off Church Road in Ham, Richmond upon Thames.

John Harwood offers this shot on this now private estate, buoyed by the help of a local friendly who said the cells and prison were here and the fact that behind him was the look of an old Victorian building... I think this looks like Barrons Chase looking north-west from the footprint of the borstal's east wing. (SJ)

Latchmere House was a remand centre and became a prison in 1992 before being closed in 2011.