Seventy Deadly Pills (Children’s Film Foundation)

While Dickie Goodwin explores the Rocket Gang's headquarters above a disused garage, the police chase a stolen Doctor’s car. Looking south on Millbank at the junction of Lambeth Bridge and Horseferry Road in SW1 with Thames House to the right.

A stunt van stands in for the Wolseley Wiresless car. (PW)

The Police Driver steers to turn right at a roundabout. Facing Imperial Chemical House at the corner of Horseferry Road and Millbank. The junction also appears in ‘Checkpoint’, ‘Carve Her Name with Pride’, ‘The Constant Husband’ and, from a distance, ‘The Vault of Horror’, ‘A Dandy in Aspic’ and 1966’s ‘Alfie’.

With work in progress, there's even a stand in for the building ahead! (PW)

One of the Thieves looks back from the stolen car. Millbank at the junction with Lambeth Bridge and Horseferry Road in Westminster.

The rain persisted during my visit . . . as did the traffic. (PW)

Desperate to evade capture, Lofty turns the wheel to cross the River Thames. Lambeth Bridge seen from Millbank in SW1.

A changed skyline south of the river. (PW)

The stolen Humber Hawk corners on the other side of the river. Looking west across Lambeth Bridge from the junction of Albert Embankment, Lambeth Palace Road and Lambeth Road in SE1 with Thames House and Imperial Chemical House on the far side of the Thames.

Taken from a similar position. (PW)

Close behind, the Police Driver follows the Humber’s path. Lambeth Palace Road in Lambeth with Lambeth Palace and St. Mary’s church ahead. The location appears in several other productions including ‘Too Hot to Handle’, ‘Der Bucklige von Soho’, 'The Reluctant Bride', 'Mr. Denning Drives North', ‘The Cracksman’, ‘Madame Louise’, 'How to Get Ahead in Advertising', ‘Unearthly Stranger’, ‘George and Mildred’, ‘Midnight Lace’, ‘Secrets of a Door-to-Door Salesman’ and ‘Bullseye!’.

Without the aid of a car, this view is taken from the safety of the pavement. (PW)

Still trying to shake off the Police, the crooks turn into a side street. The corner of Albert Embankment and Tinworth Street SE1.

Same corner, different era. (PW)

Lofty sounds the horn as the Humber heads for two Barrow boys. Facing east on Tinworth Street with buildings on Vauxhall Walk in the distance. The location also appears in 'Death Wish 3'.

Although the road is flanked by new buildings, the premises in the distance appear unchanged. (PW)

The Police Wolseley is brought to a stand after the barrows lose their loads. Looking west on Tinworth Street SE1 with the since demolished and replaced Eastbury House to the top right.

To the top left, the chimney pots of The Rose public house survive. (PW)

Hiding the Humber in the garage beneath the Rockets Gang's HQ, Lofty (Warren Mitchell) and his Accomplice leave with the Doctor’s medical bag after discarding tablets that have become mixed with sweets. Looking south-west from Oxford Mews, across Southwick Street and through Somers Mews in W2.

The site is now occupied by The Quadrangle. (PW)

After young Dickie Goodwin finds the deadly mixture of pills and sweets, the two crooks return to the garage. Oxford Mews in Bayswater.

With thanks to Amir Dinar, a resident of The Quadrangle, for his assistance in taking this sequence of views. (PW)

Lofty unloads spraying gear from the van before opening the garage door to find a Police Sergeant standing inside. Looking across waste ground from Oxford Mews towards the corner of Southwick Street and Sussex Gardens.

Taken from the residents garden within The Quadrangle. (PW)

As the two criminals turn, several Constables appear from hiding places on the waste ground behind them. Facing the junction of Sussex Gardens, Sale Place and Porchester Street from waste ground off Oxford Mews with the tower of St. Mark’s church to the extreme right.

Another peaceful view. (PW)

The Rockets play cricket on the waste ground outside their headquarters. Cleared ground between Sussex Gardens and Oxford Mews in W2 which is now occupied by The Quadrangle.

No cricket allowed here. (PW)

Rusty Murphy (John Ross), Gerty Briggs (Sally Thomsett), Brian Smith (Gareth Robinson), Phil 'Streaker' Goldstone (Len Jones) and Nellie (Linda Hansen) approach Dickie Goodwin (Ronnie Johnson) after he throws their ball back to them. Looking from Oxford Mews towards Porchester Street and buildings on Edgware Road beyond.

Once again, with acknowledgement to Amir Dinar for his help in gathering this and the preceding shots inside The Quadrangle.

A police car cruises the streets, appealing for parents to check if their children have found the dangerous pills. Tavistock Road facing the corner of Aldridge Road Villas in W11.

The tree has escaped from the garden while, swathed in polythene, the corner building hides from view. (PW)

As the announcement continues, the car follows the camera. Tavistock Road at the junction of Tavistock Crescent with properties on Aldridge Road Villas in the background.

Clearly the same location despite the blue can. (PW)

The corner of Tavistock Road and Tavistock Crescent in Westbourne Park.

Moving around the corner. (PW)

This is the junction of Tavistock Road and Tavistock Crescent in W11 with The Metropolitan public house and Great Western Road in the left background.

The pub to the left proves the shot. (PW)

While Dickie shares out the sweets that he found, the Police message is broadcast on other streets. McGregor Road, looking towards St. Luke’s Road.

Facing north-east on McGregor Road. (PW)

With Dickie now a member of the Rockets, he's sent out to dump the Doctor's belongings that he found with the sweets. Looking north along All Saints Road from Westbourne Park Road W11.

Looking up at the same properties from ground level. (PW)

Dickie approaches a parade of shops. The corner of Westbourne Park Road and All Saints Road with the setts of St. Luke's Mews to the top left.

The best shot possible from the street. (PW)

After hiding the Doctor’s stethoscope in a box of broad beans outside a greengrocer, Dickie carries on along the road. All Saints Road with Tavistock Crescent in the distance.

Although change is apparent, the parade is still fairly recognisable. (PW)

An auriscope is left in a crate on the back of a milk float. Tavistock Road, looking towards the crossroads formed by All Saints Road with The Pelican public house to the right.

To the left, the buildings have given way to Tavistock Gardens. (PW)

With his carrier bag now empty, Dickie makes his way back to headquarters. Facing south-westwards on Tavistock Road with the corner of Tavistock Crescent to the right and Portobello Road in the distance.

The terrace now faces the greenery of Tavistock Gardens opposite. (PW)

In their Wolseley, two Policemen continue to warn about the pills. Through the windscreen can be seen Tavistock Crescent with The Tavistock Arms public house in the top right distance.

Quite a change here. (PW)

Streaker trades a pen-knife, a cap bomb and some of the found sweets with Harry Robinson (Robert Ferguson). Ray Glenister advises that the location is the corner of Acklam Road and St. Ervans Road, North Kensington, London W10, vastly changed as a result of re-development. The background shops can also be seen in 'Violent Moment' and the general location in many other films. (RL)

Streaker and Rusty leave with a pile of records. Acklam Road again says Ray but this time near the corner of Wornington Road and looking NNW to St. Ervan's Road, North Kensington. (RL)

Harry carries on fixing his go-cart. Harry is at the junction of Acklam Road and St. Ervan's Road looking across to 106 Acklam Road that can also be seen in 'Violent Moment'. (RL)

The police patrol car draws alongside and Harry is called over by Police Constable Weaver (Edward Cast) who asks if he has any sweets on him. The post box, Ray says, stood on the corner of St. Ervan's and Acklam Road, North Kensington. (RL)

Streaker and Rusty try to sell the records to Mr. Goldstone (Timothy Bateson). Facing north-east from the corner of Tavistock Crescent and All Saints Road in W11.

Nothing remains of the view from 56 years ago. (PW)

Streakers dad tells the boys that the records are worthless before throwing a coin to each of them as they walk away. Looking southward along All Saints Road from the corner of Tavistock Crescent.

Obviously, the shop on the corner didn't play a part in the street's future. (PW)

As 'Big Ben' chimes the hour . . . .

Taken from the SE1 half of Lambeth Bridge. SJ

. . . . Gertie munches her share of the sweets while walking along the street with Nellie. The railing pattern to the left is repeated on St. Luke’s Road.

Some elements remain to help trace the past. (PW)

Dickie shows Brian where he lives before the two part company for the day. To the left stand now demolished and replaced properties on Tavistock Road W11.

The only clue is the Post Office manhole cover on the right. (PW)

Still eating sweets one after another, Gertie begins to feel ill. Facing east on Tavistock Road, just west of the crossroads formed by St. Luke’s Road.

Should I comment about the heap of rubbish bags? (PW)

Mrs. Briggs (Barbara Ashcroft) finds her daughter unconscious on the doorstep. The address scratched into the pillars reads 26 St. Luke’s Road, the entrance to which is on McGregor Road.

Well, it's different to the scruffy doorway of yesteryear. (PW)

The next day, Rusty and Streaker make their way to find Dickie. Tavistock Road W11 with the corner of St. Luke’s Road in the left of centre distance.

The green leaves of the overhanging trees still adds to the street's character. (PW)

Excitedly, the three boys run off to visit Battersea Fun Fair. Tavistock Road with Leamington House at the corner of Leamington Road Villas in the left background and St. Luke’s Vicarage on the extreme right.

Newer walls and fences hem in the same buildings. (PW)

Mrs. Goodwin (Myrtle Reed) hurries from the house to find her son after discovering a note about the sweets from the police. Looking to the south-west along Tavistock Road with The Pelican at the corner of All Saints Road in the centre distance and buildings on Portobello Road beyond.

No, not more rubbish . . . it's the same rubbish seen earlier. (PW)

Having heard a report about the pills on the radio, Brian arrives outside Dickie's house. Facing south-westward on Tavistock Road with the corner of St. Luke’s Road to the left of centre.

Facing the same direction with the corner property obscured by leaves. (PW)

Finding no one at home, Brian fears the worst. Tavistock Road with the corner of St. Luke’s Road crossing the background. The building at the western corner of the junction appears in ‘Breaking Glass’.

Moving slightly left brings the buildings across the road into view. (PW)

Mrs. Goodwin keeps on searching for Dickie. Looking north on St. Luke’s Road with the The Tavistock Arms on Tavistock Crescent straight ahead. The pub was dressed as The Mother Black Cap for ‘Withnail & I’ and the junction is also seen in ‘Duffer’.

Facing the site of The Tavistock Arms with replacement buildings to the right. (PW)

Brian races to Nellie's house where she has also heard about the pills and the sweets. Facing south on St. Luke’s Road with shops on Westbourne Park Road in the distance and the corner of Lancaster Road to the extreme right.

The enlarged manhole marks the spot. (PW)

Rusty, Streaker and Dickie arrive at Battersea Fun Fair. This is the entrance to Battersea Fun Fair with the steps leading down from The Parade on Carriage Drive North in SW11.

From the entrance to the now Children's Zoo. SJ

Streaker pays for Dickie. Looking through the turnstiles into The Piazza.

The games and rides have been replaced by cages. SJ

Checking on Gertie's friends, a Policeman arrives to ask Mr. Goldstone where his son might be. All Saints Road between Tavistock Road and Tavistock Crescent.

The trees of Tavistock Gardens replace the businesses of All Saints Road. (PW)

The three youngsters walk around the fair. Battersea Fun Fair also appears in 'The Wrong Arm of the Law', ‘The File of the Golden Goose’, ‘Bedazzled', 'The Mutations', 'The Day the Earth Caught Fire', 'Doctor in the House', 'Counterspy' and 'Torture Garden'.

About to make a call to headquarters, Constable Weaver asks Harry if he knows Phil Goldstone.

Harry tells the Officer that Phil was heading to Battersea Fun Fair with Rusty and Dickie.

Getting into the police car next to his grandad Constable Robinson (Leslie Dwyer), Harry is taken along to identify Phil and his pals.

Dickie visits the zoo whilst Rusty and Streaker ride on the roller-coaster.

As the police head towards Battersea, Brian and Nellie hurry to the fair to find their friends. The entrance to Carriage Drive North on Queenstown Road just south of Chelsea Bridge in SW8. The gates are seen in 'The Mutations'.

A random cone adds little enhancement. SJ

Brian and Nellie reach the entrance to Battersea Fun Fair and pay to enter. At the top of the steps leading down to The Piazza from The Parade on Carriage Drive North in SW11. This location, and other parts of Battersea Fun Fair, can also be seen in ‘The File of the Golden Goose’, ‘Bedazzled', 'Gorgo', 'The Green Buddha', 'The Day the Earth Caught Fire', 'Counterspy', 'The Wrong Arm of the Law' and 'Torture Garden'.

A narrower entrance today. SJ

With Harry as a witness, Constables Weaver and Robinson get closer to the fair. Queenstown Road in Battersea SW8 approaching the junction of Prairie Street and St. Philip Square with Battersea Power Station straight ahead.

The cleaned up chimneys of the power station can just be made out beyond the greenery. (PW)

While Nellie checks the water chute Brian runs through the fun fair in search of Streaker, Rusty and Dickie.

The Policemen and Harry turn into Queenstown Road as Nellie and Brian spot their friends. Queen’s Circus in SW8 with the garage at the corner of Queenstown Road visible through the windscreen. The location also appears in ‘Stop Press Girl’.

The garage still dispenses Shell petrol. (PW)