Soapbox Derby (Children’s Film Foundation)

Members of the Battersea Bats gang converge on their headquarters to initiate two new members. Looking up river along the Thames from Railway Wharf on Nine Elms Lane in London SW8.

A wider view from further back as there was no crane available. (PW)

Peter Toms (Michael Crawford) runs towards the disused crane where Legs Johnson, Foureyes Fulton and Lew Lender meet him. Railway Wharf, between Nine Elms Lane and the River Thames in Vauxhall.

Riverside Court now occupies the location. (PW)

Legs Johnson (Keith Davis) chases and catches Fred (Raymond Dudley), a member of the Victoria gang who has been eavesdropping on the plan to build a soapbox racing car and enter a grand prix race. Through the gate runs Nine Elms Lane.

The line of Nine Elms Lane has changed and with buildings behind the camera, it's impossible to be accurate. (PW)

Peter runs after John (Malcolm Kirby), another member of the Victorias. Railway Wharf on Nine Elms Lane.

Another approximation. (PW)

When Fred falls into the river, Grandpa (Mark Daly) comes to the rescue with a lifebuoy. Looking towards Vauxhall Bridge on the Thames from Railway Wharf.

The area has been substantially redeveloped and Riverside Walk now cuts through the area. (PW)

Grandpa gives Peter, Foureyes and Fred a lift in his BMW Isetta. Deeley Road in Battersea SW8 with properties on Brooklands Road in the distance.

Looking towards Belmore Street. Brooklands Road has been consumed by Lambeth College. SJ

Still dripping wet, Fred is taken home after Peter and Foureyes are dropped off. Looking up at Beames House at the corner of Deeley Road and Belmore Street.

Little change. SJ

Legs, Foureyes Fulton (Roy Townsend) and Peter wave Grandpa off. Deeley Road with Springfield School to the left of centre.

Big changes now. SJ

Legs spots Lew and his pals building a soapbox racer after Grandpa accidentally reverses through the gates to Mr. Lender's scrap yard. Edgeley Road in Clapham SW4 identified by Jason Damon.

Living close to the location, Jason didn't have far to go to take this shot.

When threatened by the scrap dealer, Legs and Grandpa get back into the Isetta. Jason Damon recognised Edgeley Road with the rear of properties on Shamrock Street in the left distance.

From a similar viewpoint by Jason.

Grandpa knocks Lew Lender (Alan Coleshill) and his father, Mr. Lender (Denis Shaw), over as he drives off. Edgeley Road in London SW4 advises Jason Damon.

There have been changes here, as Jason's comparison shows.

The bubble car nears the block of flats where Foureyes lives. Facing East on Wilcox Road in SW8.

Rather a dark summer's day. SJ

At a red traffic light, Peter and Legs spot an old car being towed away and have an idea of how to get parts for their racer. As a result of Dave finding his way via the following capture he identifies this the Battersea end of Chelsea bridge, just past the zebra crossing which is seen in Capture 18. (RL)

Looking across the river to the Churchill Gardens estate on the right and Westminster Cathedral's Tower on the left. SJ

The two jump into the wrecked car and are taken away when the lights change. We have once again to be grateful to Dave W and his journey to school, for he stood outside that background building on a staggering number of occasions waiting for a bus. It is the north end of Chelsea Bridge, junction with Chelsea Embankment SW3, looking at what was at the time the Lister Institute, now the Lister Hospital. (RL)

Would you believe it? More scaffolding. Let's hope to replace in the future. SJ

The car is towed into the breakers yard. Neil Rigby is reminded of an almost identical scene in 'Minder - Looking for Micky', as can be seen on Minder.org, where the location is identified as 155 Larkhall Lane, London SW4 taken from Smedley Street. Once called The Larkhall, the public house, subsequently known as the Springfield Tavern is now long gone, but the building remains. (RL)

Avoiding the obligatory parked cars, Peter Bywaters revisited the location to take this view of the former Springfield Tavern, now an electrical suppliers.

Caught by the Scrap Dealer, Peter asks if he can have parts for his gang's pedal-driven go-kart. Looking north at the junction of Smedley Street and Larkhall Lane in SW8 identified by Jason Damon . . . .

. . . who also provides this clearer view of Stanmore House.

The Scrap Dealer allows the boys to collect what they need.

Mr. Lender drives the Victoria gang and their soapbox to the park. Opposite Carriage Drive North on Queenstown Road with Chelsea Bridge in the right background.

Peter knew that the traffic was never going to clear with Chelsea playing at home.

Foureyes, Peter and Legs also take their completed soapbox to the park for a trial run.

From behind bushes, Lew, Fred and John watch the Battersea Bats test their superior car. This appears to be the stand overlooking the running track in Battersea Park.

Whilst Foureyes distracts the Victorias by driving the soapbox, Legs and Peter creep up on them from behind.

After a fight with the Victorias, the Battersea Bats make adjustments to number 7.

Lew follows Betty home with the aim of obtaining the plans to the Battersea Bats' soapbox. As the sign says, this is the corner of Deeley Road and what was originally Thessaly Road before it was rerouted.

Lew catches up with Betty (Carla Challoner) and starts chatting to her. Deeley Road SW8 with McConnell House in the background.

More florid now. SJ

Not realising that Lew is inside the flat, Mrs. Fulton (Jean Ireland) tells Foureyes to look after his sister while she goes out. Deeley Road with the rear of Allan House running to the right.

More of a wall now. SJ

Taking the soapbox plans, Lew climbs through the living room window as Foureyes enters the house. McConnell House on Deeley Road.

Harder to climb out of that window. SJ

Foureyes crouches over Betty after she's knocked down by a lorry when running from the flat. Deeley Road in SW8.

Holding his sister's broken doll, Foureyes watches the ambulance take her to hospital. Looking south-west on Deeley Road with the low buildings of Springhill School in the background and the Projectile and Engineering Company's factory beyond.

The school has gone. SJ

Lew reads through the plans as he heads back to his father's yard. Looking along Luscombe Way from Wilcox Road with the Gladstone public house to the left.

Now. SJ

The ambulance turns onto the main road after leaving the estate. Wilcox Road in SW8. In 1985, this location would be where 'My Beautiful Laundrette' was set.

A block of flats appeared in the interim. SJ

Peter spots Lew with the plans. The south side of Wilcox Road.

Rather a cluttered post-lockdown look here now. SJ

Lew makes a run for it and Peter gives chase. Outside the Gladstone at the corner of Wilcox Road and Luscombe Way. The pub closed in 2012.

Converted but at least not demolished. SJ

Peter crosses a main road as he keeps up with Lew. This is south of Chelsea Bridge on Queenstown Road in Battersea.

Quite a few changes here with the new developments at the Battersea Power station site. SJ

Chelsea Bridge to the left and the chimney of the Western Pumping Station to the right. The structure also features in 'Absolute Beginners', 'The Day the Earth Caught Fire', 'Pygmalion', 'Col cuore in gola', 'The Mutations', 'Emil and the Detectives', 'Up the Junction' and 'Panic'.

Peter provides this comparison.

Lew stays ahead of his pursuer. Battersea Park's riverside promenade along the Thames with Chelsea Bridge in the right distance.

The redesigned pathway wall along the embankment is seen in this picture by Peter.

This is the access ramp to Pleasure Gardens Pier on Chelsea Reach. The pier was renamed Festival Gardens Pier and appeared in 'The File of the Golden Goose' but has long since disappeared.

Peter walks back along the jetty after Lew jumps on board a departing boat. The since removed Pleasure Gardens Pier with properties on Chelsea Embankment in the right background.

And our Peter takes this comparison shot.

Battersea Park's Terrace Walk with the ramp to Pleasure Gardens Pier in the background. The promenade was also seen in 'Martha, Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence'.

A rough guess but taken opposite the old entrance to the Battersea Fair. SJ

Back at the scrap yard, Mr. Lender puzzles over the plans that Lew has stolen.

The first heats of the soapbox derby take place. This is Stadium Straight at Crystal Palace Road Racing Circuit in SE19 with a property on Crystal Palace Park Road visible through the distant trees.

Less 'racey' looking these days. (PW)

Driving the Victoria's go-kart Lew bumps into another competitor, sending them off the circuit. KM places this as Terrace Straight with part of the retaining wall for Lower Terrace in the left background. The terraces can also be seen in 'The Pleasure Garden'.

From a similar position. (PW)

Lew finishes first, guaranteeing a place in the final the following week. Crystal Palace Park according to KM. More precisely, Terrace Straight with Terrace Bridge to the left. The circuit also features in ‘Rush’, ‘Time Without Pity’, 'The Full Tratment' and ‘The Italian Job’.

The bridge has long since disappeared. (PW)

After Peter and Legs believe that he's given Lew the plans for their soapbox, Foureyes goes in search of a new doll for his sister. Looking towards Lambeth Road on Wilcox Road with the spire of St. Stephen's church to the top right and the now closed Prince of Wales public house in the centre.

Now Nolan's Freehouse, 33 Wilcox Road. SJ

Lew catches up with Foureyes and recruits him into the Victoria Victors in return for buying a new doll for Betty. Looking across Wilcox Road.

Now. SJ

Legs and Peter bump into Lew and Foureyes, which compounds their suspicions. Wilcox Road at the end of the passage that leads to Luscombe Way.

Today. SJ

In silence, Peter and Legs turn and walk away. Facing the passage that leads to Luscombe Way from it's corner with Wilcox Road SW8.

No shop down the passage now. SJ

With a replacement doll provided by Lew, Foureyes approaches the hospital. Richard Lovejoy recognised Bolingbroke Hospital on Wakehurst Road, London SW11.

This comparison from Peter Bywaters shows that, to some extent, time has stood still at the entrance to the former Bolingbroke Hospital.

The youngster runs inside to visit his sister and give her the new doll. Bolingbroke Hospital, Wakehurst Road in Wandsworth Common. The facility closed in 2008 and the building is now home to Bolingbroke Academy. Location identified by RL.

The location as it appears now by Peter Bywaters.

In the street outside the scrap yard, the Victoria's test their racer. Edgeley Road SW4 with Larkhall Rise in the background, found by Jason Damon.

Looking the same way, Jason took this shot.

Mr. Lender tells his son that the Battersea Bats have a better soapbox. Jason Damon locates this as Edgeley Road in Clapham.

The same row of houses captured by Jason.

Foureyes helps Lew, John and Fred to redesign their car. Looking onto Edgeley Road in Clapham SW4 identified by Jason Damon.

Jason took this view from the pavement as new properties now occupy the site of the yard.

On the day of the big race, Mr. Lender and Lew arrive at the Battersea Bat's hide out. Across Nine Elms Lane, the background is dominated by Nine Elms North Goods Depot.

The background is dominated by different buildings now. (PW)

With a plan to steal and dispose of the opposition' soapbox, Lew gets out of the truck. Railway Wharf with Nine Elms North Goods Depot in the left background.

Panning from the previous comparison. (PW)

The remaining two members of the Bats head home before Legs returns to the den after forgetting the massage oil for his legs. Queenstown Road in SW8 with the entrance to Battersea Wharf to the right. The area was also seen in 'The Mutations' and 'Col Cuore in Gola'.

Lew and his father duck behind a wall as a police boat passes. Dave W revises the location description to "looking across the river towards Pimlico. On the left are the stark angles of the Tachbrook Estate, in the centre, the chimney stack of the London Hydraulic Power Company and on the right the domed tower of Imperial Mills Wharf, referred to locally as the Hovis building." All that said, confirms Phil's shot as being "a very good match to the sweep of the capture." (RL)

There aren't many clues to determine whether this is the right view, but Dave W confirms that it is! (PW)

Legs arrives in the wharf just as Mr. Lender and his son are driving away with No. 7. Prominent is the Southern Railway grain warehouse dating from 1936.

The grain warehouse isn't dating any more. (PW)

As the truck passes through the gates and onto the main road, Legs follows. To the right stands Friary Meux's Horseshoe Brewery which stopped brewing in 1966 but was also seen in 'Melody' and 'Villain'.

Dodging traffic, this is roughly from the same position. (PW)

Lender's truck is too fast and leaves Legs behind. Chelsea Bridge with Battersea Power Station on the left.

The power station is undergoing transformation in this shot from Peter.

Letting the truck drive away, Legs turns and runs to tell Peter. Chelsea Bridge running across the Thames between Battersea and Chelsea.

Chelsea Bridge by Peter.

Legs arrives outside Peter's home. Deeley Road in London SW8.

New pavement, bollards, entrance and background. SJ

Peter is told of the emergency just as Betty is brought home from hospital by her mother. McConnell House on Deeley Road.

A helpful sign is still there. SJ

Peter runs to fetch Grandpa.

Finding Grandpa cleaning his bubble car, Peter tells him about the theft of the soapbox.

Grandpa takes Legs and Peter to the quarry. Wilcox Road with the Gladstone pub at the corner of Luscombe Way on the right.

Trees have sprouted. SJ

Mr. Lender and Lew attempt to dispose of no. 7 at the quarry but are foiled by Grandpa, Peter and Legs.

Returning just in time to join the race, Peter in the Battersea Bats number 7 races against Foureyes driving Victoria number 6. Facing north on Terrace Straight at the Crystal Palace Road Racing Circuit in SE19 the with Terrace Bridge crossing the background.

A greener view now. (PW)

The Battersea Bats are victorious and Foureyes is welcomed back into the Bats after Betty explains that it was Lew who stole the plans.