Something in the City

William Ningle (Richard Hearne) waves to his wife (Betty Sinclair) as he leaves for work. 28 West Way, Shepperton, Surrey.

Now, having a new wall built. SD

The commuters cross London Bridge.

The new London Bridge. (RL)

Mr Ningle keeps up the pretence and joins the commuters on London Bridge.

It might be a little more difficult to blend with the crows these days. (RL)

After passing through his former work place, Mr Ningle takes the tube from Monument Station, King William Street.

Much the same save for the redevelopment on the corner. (RL)

Mr Ningle travels to the 'slum district'. Carlisle Street, Soho W1. The café is now a bar which appears in 'Last Night in Soho'.

Indeed, "The Toucan". (RL)

Mr Ningle pauses outside the lodging house where he has a room. No. 2 Meard Street, Soho, W1. Identified by Richard Lovejoy. The street is also seen in 'Two Left Feet', 'The Moon Over the Alley', 'All You Need Is Cash', 'King of the Underworld', 'Saturday Night Out', 'Man at the Carlton Tower', 'Danger by My Side', 'The Six Men', 'The Hippopotamus', 'The Teckman Mystery' and 'Don't Open till Christmas'.

Quite a transformation. (RL)

The time on the clock signifies the end of the working day. House Of Fraser, King William Street, London.

Approaching the end of my "working day" as well. (RL)

Mr Ningle buys a 'presentation' clock to keep up the pretence of working for Implicit Trust for 20 years. Mappin and Webb, 1 Poultry, Queen Victoria Street, London. Now demolished.

It reinforces that it is "1 Poultry" at least. (RL)

Struggling with the clock, he takes the tube from Bank Station.

Well, that access has certainly gone. (RL)

Still struggling with the clock, Mr Ningle leaves the train. Shepperton Station, Station Approach, Surrey. Also seen in 'On the Fiddle', 'Heavens Above' and 'Marilyn (aka Roadhouse Girl)'.

The platform of the redeveloped Shepperton Station building. SD

Still sruggling with the clock, Mr Ningle attempts to find his ticket. Shepperton Station. Now re-developed.

The equivalent ticket barrier now, but no-one came through with a clock. SD

The prospective inlaws, Mr & Mrs Holley (Garry Marsh, Ellen Pollock), decide to pay a visit to the Ningles. West Way, Shepperton, Surrey.

I'm not spying on the builder. SD

Mr Ningle disguised as Artie The Artist pauses to feed the pigeons. Trafalgar Square, facing The South African High Commission.

At least the pigeons are no longer a problem. (RL)

Artie climbs the steps leading from Trafalgar Square to take up his spot outside The National Gallery.

It was very busy everywhere else, I was in luck. (RL)

Artie notices that it is time to phone his wife. St Martin In The Fields, St Martin's Place, Viewed from outside the National Gallery.

Pity about the work on the National Gallery. (RL)

A reporter from The Evening Courier (Bill Shine) follows Ningle to the slum district. Two good clues: Arthur E Gould Ltd and Frank Venose Hairdressing Saloon at number 6. My clues worked! Richard Lovejoy identifies this as 6-8 Meard Street, Soho. W1.

Replacing my previous misaligned shot. No 6 has a plaque to the artist Thomas Hearn 1744-1817, no relation I believe. (RL)

When Ningle has to break in to his lodgings the police are called. Facing Dukes Lodge, Holland Park, W11.

80 Holland Park, W11, close to the north entrance of the park itself. SJ

The police car makes its way to the scene of the break-in. New Zealand Avenue, Walton on Thames, Surrey. Also seen in 'The Price of Silence', ‘The Sound Barrier', 'Mother Riley Meets the Vampire', 'The Naked Truth’, 'Rag Doll', ‘The Third Alibi’ and 'A Weekend with Lulu'.

That shop is still empty! SD

The police car arrives. Carlisle Street facing Dean Street. W1.

After a long wait the delivery eventually moved. (RL)

Artie hides from the police. Church Walk, Walton on Thames, to the rear of Berry Cottages.

As close as I could get to the actual location, which is now the back garden of the house on the left. SD

He makes his escape down the alley. Church Walk, off Walton On Thames High Street. The passage was also seen in 'You Pay Your Money but Berry cottages, on the left, have since been demolished.

The warehouses are now also in the process of being demolished. SD

Artie keeps running. Cecil Court, Off Charing Cross Road.

Some things do change for the.......... (RL)

He stops on the corner to check that the coast is clear. Cecil Court, on the corner of Charing Cross Road.

Some call it progress. (RL)

The police catch up with Artie. Charing Cross road, from outside number 26 looking towards The National Portrait Gallery.

They could well be the same trees. (RL)

The police give chase again. Outside Charing Cross Library, 4 Charing Cross Road.

Less excitement earlier in the day. (RL)

Artie hides in a builder's lorry which stops at a roadside café. The café is now Walton Bridge Garage, Walton Bridge Road, Shepperton, Surrey. Also seen in 'The Scarlet Web' and 'The House of Blackmail'.

The garage has now become a hand car wash and is barely recognisable. SD

After reading a newspaper story that he is a wanted man, he attempts to return home. Facing south on Walton Bridge Road, by Walton Bridge Garage, Shepperton, Surrey, most certainly not 63 miles from London.

Walton Bridge House (seen between the trees) was demolished when the new bridge was built. SD

He crosses the road and tries to thumb a lift. Walton Bridge Road, Shepperton, opposite what is now Walton Bridge Garage.

To the left of the green is Walton lane. That's where we parked the car, so no need to thumb a lift. SD

Artie gets a lift by stowing away in a boat.

The house is on River Mount, Walton On Thames. SD

Ningle decides to leave a suicide note from Artie but later has to retrieve his abandoned clothing. Walton On Thames, with Mount Felix opposite.

This is now Walton Marina. Mount Felix was demolished in 1966 and replaced with flats. SD

Becoming Artie again, Ningle escapes from Harold Holley so that he doesn't find out they are the same person. Unknown location.

Artie escapes down St Brides Avenue and into Fleet Street. Also seen in 'The Day The Earth Caught Fire'.

Thank goodness for Grade II listing. (RL)

Harold Holley gives chase. Salisbury Square. London EC4

Some redevelopment. (RL)

A taxi driver refuses to take Holley to Bergers Green. Salisbury Court facing Fleet Street.

I waited for a quieter moment. (RL)

Artie runs to catch a bus. The Strand, opposite The Royal Courts Of Justice.

Now with a pedestrian crossing. (RL)

Holley attempts to hire a car. Richard Lovejoy identifies this as NCP Car Park, Brewer Street, Soho, W1.

With London Fashion Week over it returns to normal usage and I am now able to support with a shot. (RL)

Artie steals a scooter. Irving Street, London WC2

I think I have the correct doorway but I am happy to be wrong. (RL)

Artie continues his escape on the scooter. Irving Street, facing Leicester Square. Also seen in 'High Treason'.

This, as we know, has certainly changed. (RL)

Artie passes 50-52 Sloane Square, SW1.

Apparently unknowingly following Richard around on the same day, Peter got to this location first.

Turning into Royal Avenue from St Leonards Terrace, London SW3, seen more recently in 'Stormbreaker'.

Now SJ

Continuing along Royal Avenue.

Heading north. SJ

The police pursue Holley, now in a newspaper van. Sumner Place SW7

Peter provides the "now" noting much the same except for the building works in the background. (RL)

Emerging from Wellington Square into Kings Road, London SW3.

Also seen in "I Don't Want To Be Born". SJ

Crossing Kings Road into Bywater Street.

Even in winter, the trees can obscure the architecture. SJ

The police chase continues along Old Brompton Road towards South Kensington station which features in 'Amelia and the Angel’, ‘Repulsion’, 'Das Geheimnis der gelben Narzissen' and ‘The Crying Game’.

Peter captured the location in colour.

Artie continues along Walton on Thames High Street. Also seen in 'Press For Time'.

Walton on Thames High Street now. SD

Narrowly missing a pram, the scooter veers into Woolworths. Now W.H Smith, Walton on Thames High Street.

Not as easy to ride a scooter through here now. Don't try it! SD

The scooter emerges from Woolworths and on to the High Street. W.H. Smith, Walton on Thames.

In one door and out the other. Didn't even stop for the Pick'n'Mix. SD

The scooter speeds off along Walton-on-Thames High Street towards Bridge Street.

I headed off towards Bridge Street too. SD

The newspaper van passes Notting Hill post office, Westbourne Grove.

The north side opposite Grant's haircut in About a Boy. SJ

The police car follows the van as it turns right into Colville road from Westbourne Grove. Also seen in 'Who Done It?'.

Not quite the same place, as the estate has extended so I moved further north to show the Colville Primary School on Lonsdale Road. SJ

Artie/Mr Ningle finally makes his way back to Bergers Green. West Way, Shepperton, Surrey.

Or is it 'Bengers' Green? The newspaper article could have had a spelling mistake! SD