Silent Witness, The (A Scotland Yard supporting feature)

Date: 1954
Director: Montgomery Tully
Production Company: Merton Park Studios

Stars: Molly Weir, Ivan Craig, Kenneth Henry, Jean Lodge, Namara Michael, Frank Forsyth, Cyril Smith, Patricia Driscoll, Lloyd Lamble, Rita Webb, Grace Arnold, Bart Allison, Michael Bird, Oliver Johnson, Kenneth Midwood, George Murcell, Frank Thornton
Location(s): London

Region(s):

Storyline:

The strange case of the self-confessed killer who almost escaped justice.

Additional Information:

Screen captures by Richard Lovejoy.

Number 9 in the series introduced by the crime writer Edgar Lustgarten

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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
  • 'Now' required
Scotland Yard, Victoria Embankment, London SW1. Circa 1954

The film opens with the customary shot of Scotland Yard, Victoria Embankment, London SW1.

  • Capture 2
  • 19 May 2023
Weymouth Mews, London W1 Circa 1954

Police follow up the telephone call from Frederick Stafford (Ivan Craig) who has admitted to the murder of his wife. Weymouth Mews, London W1

Paul Lincoln 'amewsed' himself in W1 avoiding any police presence. (RL)

  • Capture 3
  • 19 May 2023
29 Weymouth Mews, London W1 Circa 1954

He opens the door to the visiting police. 29 Weymouth Mews, W1

Paul found that the airvent remains but the garage doors have been turned into a window. (RL)

  • Capture 4
  • 19 May 2023
29 Weymouth Mews, London W1 Circa 1954

Stafford is obliged to go with them ‘to the station’. 29 Weymouth Mews, W1

And your shot was a 'fair cop' too Paul. (RL)

  • Capture 5
  • 09 May 2023
Kingston Road, London SW19 Circa 1954

The car pulls up outside……Kingston Road, London SW19 looking east from circa No 76

Local John Harwood mentions that the high street has changed quite a lot. And the scaffolding doesn't help! (SJ)

  • Capture 6
  • 25 May 2023
76 Kingston Road, SW19 dressed as a police station Circa 1954

……and they go inside where Stafford is questioned. ‘Manor Club and Institute’ 76 Kingston Road, SW19 dressed as a police station. It also features in ‘Late Night Final’ and ‘The Case of the River Morgue’.

John returned to no76 for a better angle to replace his shot a couple of weeks prior. (SJ)

  • Capture 7
  • 'Now' required

With suspicions about Stafford’s story detectives were sent to talk with his only relative Mrs Marks (Grace Arnold) who lived in the films ‘Balham’. Unknown location.

  • Capture 8
  • 19 May 2023
Weymouth Mews, London W1 Circa 1954

Detectives call on neighbours Chauffeur (Cyril Smith) and his wife ‘Mum’ (Molly Weir) to find out more about the man Stafford. Weymouth Mews, W1

They must have known that you were visiting Paul, they have left the flags out. (RL)

  • Capture 9
  • 19 Jun 2023
Weymouth Mews, London W1 Circa 1954

They leave having learned nothing significant

Paul returned to the scene of the crime to capture the shot that passed him by on his last visit to provide us with this necessary wider shot from ground level. (RL)

  • Capture 10
  • 'Now' required

Sergeant Blake (Patricia Driscoll) is asked to observe the life of Stafford’s shop manager Miss Price (Jean Lodge) who’s ‘story’ the police didn’t quite believe, here leaving her home. Unknown location that looks very familiar.

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  • 'Now' required

Seeing Price drive off in a cab Sgt. Blake also hails a cab to follow her.

  • Capture 12
  • 19 May 2023
Weymouth Mews London W1. Circa 1954

As the days passed ‘Mum’ wants to know more about “that bike that has been standing there for days”. Weymouth Mews W1.

I wonder if Paul would have wanted to know more about the bike when he visited had there been one there? (RL)

  • Capture 13
  • 19 May 2023
Weymouth Mews LondonW1. Circa 1954

Supt. Daker orders Stafford’s property to “be taken apart” when it is found that the bike belongs to a missing window cleaner Albert Briggs.

No such activity during Paul's visit. (RL)

  • Capture 14
  • 19 May 2023
29 Weymouth Mews, London W1 Circa 1954

The body of the window cleaner was eventually found in the cistern for he had witnessed Forsyth murdering his wife. 29 Weymouth Mews, London W1

Paul wraps up his visit to Weymouth Mews with this comparative shot. (RL)