Before I Wake
Date: 1955
Director: Albert S Rogell
Production Company: Gibraltar Films Ltd, Roxbury Productions Inc.
Stars: Mona Freeman, Jean Kent, Maxwell Reed, Frederick Leister, Hugh Miller
Location(s): Buckinghamshire
Region(s): South East R-Z
Storyline:
April returns from America to her native England to attend her parents’ funeral. She is told by officials that they died of natural causes but she soon comes to suspect that the nurse who took care of her parents was involved in their deaths. Since the nurse is well thought of in the town, no one believes her. What April doesn’t know is that her parents’ killer has selected her as the next victim after discovering that April will inherit at 21 all that she has plotted to gain.
Additional Information:
Screen grabs and uncredited now shots uploaded by Richard Lovejoy
Also known as ‘Shadow of Fear’ (US Title)
Can you help:
If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.
We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.
- Capture 1
- 23 Nov 2015
April Haddon (Mona Freeman) return home to the UK from the USA arrives at “Dawmouth” station. She is greeted by the station master (Phillip Ray) and the taxi driver (Frank Atkinson) who picks up her cases. With the grateful assistance of Dave Woodhead of the MDRS and of Peter Swayne both of whom guided me to the fount of knowledge Mike Walker who identified this as Taplow Station.
With steam far behind us overhead electrification is now underway.
- Capture 2
- 07 Sep 2020
They drive through an “High Street” to the family home. Spittle Street, Marlow says Clive Turner, spot on!
Andrew Price provides the comparative shot for us observing fully the Yellow Social Distancing stickers on the pavements.
- Capture 3
- 'Now' required
April arrives at the home of her late parents. Clive Turner identifies this as Medmenham Abbey, Ferry Lane, Medmenham, Marlow. Currently for sale through "Knight Frank" for £10m+ Request(s) to use their photographs on the Site have been ignored... While we wait, one can snap the reverse pov from Hurley on the other side of the Thames (SJ)
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required
She is greeted by her stepmother Florence Haddon (Jean Kent). Medmenham Abbey, Ferry Lane, Medmenham, Marlow. Identified by Clive Turner.
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
They later share coffee together, it looks as thought the property is next to water. Medmenham Abbey, Ferry Lane, Medmenham, Marlow. Identified by Clive Turner. An almost identical "Now" shot appears on the Knight Frank website.
- Capture 6
- 23 Nov 2015
April “oversleeps” on the morning of her late fathers funeral and looks out of the bedroom window to the church, All Saints' church, Marlow, more of which can be seen in 'Sailing Along', 'The Sinister Man' and 'Three Men in a Boat'.
The tree has grown as you would expect.
- Capture 7
- 21 Mar 2023
The attendant mourners leave the church, including the maid Elsie (Gretchen Franklin), second right. Phil Richards advises that this is All Saints church Bisham, Marlow.
To support his earlier identification Phil provides this slightly wider comparative shot showing that the white footbridge across the river in the background of the screen capture remains, although when it was renewed a few years ago it was painted green so that it blends in with the surroundings.
- Capture 8
- 'Now' required
Mr Driscoll (Hugh Miller) leaves the house having read the will saying that to inherit April has to stay under the guardianship of her stepmother until she is 21 years old in three weeks time. Medmenham Abbey, Ferry Lane, Medmenham, Marlow Bucks.
- Capture 9
- 23 Nov 2015
April goes in search of the damaged mystery boat that is said to have killed her father whilst he was fishing. The River at Marlow with the bridge and All Saint’s church centre.
Not quite such a "working" environment now.
- Capture 10
- 23 Nov 2015
She walks the river bank looking for a damaged power boat.
Make way for riverside development.
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
As she continues her journey she spots a craft, the family craft “Happy Daze” , in the family mooring. Find this cottage, if it still exists, and we may have the location of the house.
- Capture 12
- 17 Jul 2022
Having finally seen the damaged prow she looks back at the house. So if it was moored at the house why did she go looking for it? Medmenham Abbey, Ferry Lane, Medmenham, Marlow, Bucks.
Steve Randall provides this comparison shot from across the river Thames for there is now no closer access.