Soho Conspiracy
Date: 1950
Director: Cecil H. Williamson
Production Company: D.U.K. Films, E.J. Fancey Productions
Stars: Zena Marshall, John Witty, Jacques Labrecque, Peter Gawthorne, Syd Harrison, Max Harrison, David Hurst, Ian Colin, Annette Simmonds
Location(s): London
Region(s): London R-S, South East R-Z
Storyline:
Plans for a concert to raise funds to refurbish a church are almost ruined by a crooked businessman.
Additional Information:
Page compiled by Phil Wilkinson
Wikipedia advises that the production incorporates footage from the 1948 Italian film ‘Follie per l’opera’ (‘Mad About Opera’) for the climactic concert performance.
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- Capture 1
- 23 Apr 2025
The story opens with a shot of Anteros, atop the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain in Piccadilly Circus W1.
The memorial's been moved so the background creeps in. SJ
- Capture 2
- 23 Apr 2025
Scanning the surrounding buildings, the camera moves to find the corner of Regent Street and Glasshouse Street.
So many traffic lights in the way! SJ
- Capture 3
- 23 Apr 2025
Cut to a view of Broadcasting House on Portland Place W1 with All Souls' church to the right.
Refurbishment is under way at the BBC. PW
- Capture 4
- 23 Apr 2025
Inside the building, restaurateur Carlo Scala, his daughter Dora and her boyfriend Guy Potbury sit in the audience at a BBC piano recital. Broadcasting House on Portland Place seen through the pillars of All Souls' church fronting Langham Place.
Repairs to the columns are apparent. PW
- Capture 5
- 23 Apr 2025
The action moves to Soho as Carlo, Dora and Guy make their way to the Café du Jardin after the concert. The cross on top of the tower of St. Patrick's church in Soho Square W1.
An out of focus shot due to being taken through the branches of a tree. PW
- Capture 6
- 23 Apr 2025
Tilting down, background rooftops come into frame. The tower of St. Patrick's church overlooking Soho Square.
Taken from ground level. PW
- Capture 7
- 23 Apr 2025
The shot continues to tilt towards Soho Square in front of St. Patrick's church.
A replacement building stands on the right. PW
- Capture 8
- 23 Apr 2025
Sweeping across Soho Square, the camera rises as it pans. Soho Square, in a view that appears to be taken from the roof of Nascreno House.
Looking north-west across Soho Square. PW
- Capture 9
- 23 Apr 2025
Beyond the chimney stacks, Greek Street crosses the scene diagonally.
Although the film's Café du Jardin is on Frith Street, this is plainly Greek Street. PW
- Capture 10
- 23 Apr 2025
Carlo, Dora and Guy arrive at the café to find the Gondotti brothers performing slapstick after slipping on the floor being cleaned by Rosa. Looking down onto Greek Street W1 with the Pillars of Hercules public house and the entrance to Manette Street on the right.
Facing the Pillars of Hercules. PW
- Capture 11
- 28 May 2025
Proposing to hold a concert as a way of raising funds to rebuild Father Shaney's bombed church, Guy is able to secure the Royal Opera House with help from businessman Archibald Maclean. Facing north-west on Bow Street WC2 with Floral Hall and the Royal Opera House to the centre.
New building to the left has obscured much of the Floral Hall, known as Paul Hamlyn Hall since 2005. SJ
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required
Ground Crew at London Airport pause to listen as the world's leading opera stars sing for the crowd while disembarking from their flight from Italy.
- Capture 13
- 'Now' required
After Guy is let down by the crooked Maclean, the Audience arrive for the Grand Concert which is held at Bertucci's converted hall in Soho.
- Capture 14
- 'Now' required
Learning that Maclean is at the café which was used as security against his loan, Dora, Guy and Carlo rush back during the performance to prevent losing their livelihood.
- Capture 15
- 'Now' required
The chimes of midnight ring out as Guy Potbury (John Witty) and Dora (Zena Marshall) urge the despondent Carlo Scala (Jacques Labrecque) on towards the Café du Jardin.