Stranger in the House

Date: 1967
Director: Pierre Rouve
Production Company: American Broadcasting Company, De Grunwald, Selmur

Stars: James Mason, Geraldine Chaplin, Bobby Darrin, Ian Ogilvy
Location(s): Hampshire

Region(s):

Storyline:

After sliding into a life of cynicism and drunkenness, a once eminent barrister decides to pull himself together and defend his daughter’s boyfriend him in court when he is accused of murder.

Additional Information:

Original research by Phil Wilkinson with screen captures from Manuel Gurtner

Also known as ‘Cop-Out’ (US Title)

 

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Friends arrive back in Winchester after a night out in Southampton. Clifton Lodge at the junction of Romsey Road with Clifton Road, Winchester, Hampshire.

Clive Rideout sends this daytime shot evidencing little change. (RL)

Angela Sawyer (Geraldine Chaplin) opens the door to the home that she shares with her drunken father. Clifton Lodge, Clifton Road in Winchester.

Clive captures the front door now painted red. (RL)

Former barrister John Sawyer (James Mason) makes his way to the library to return books that he never reads. This looks like the corner of St James' Lane and Sparkford Road in Winchester with the spire of Christ Church in the left distance.

Clive found that more wall had been removed and that the spire is still visible, just! (RL)

  • 'Now' required

In a drunken fantasy, John recalls the hanging of a man that he was defending. A studio set, see http://avengerland.theavengers.tv/studios/mgmblot.htm (RL)

  • 'Now' required

Angela and her friends are taken out in Desmond Flower's new boat. The background appears to be the Mayflower Cruise Terminal at Southampton Docks which was also seen in 'Juggernaut'.

  • 'Now' required

The friends climb onto a liner where they meet American seaman Barney Teale.

After Barney is found murdered, Jo Christoforides (Paul Bertoya) runs to meet Angela following her questioning by the police. This looks like the section of Winchester's City Wall as it runs through The Wiers alongside the River Itchen.

Indeed it is and Clive sends this shot to confirm. (RL)

When he finds the murder weapon in his locker at work, Christoforides searches for a disposal place. The River Itchen as it flows through The Weirs in Winchester with Wharf Mills in the left distance. The location features in the 1974 version of 'Brief Encounter'.

With the private bridge locked Clive was restricted with regard to angle to take the shot. (RL)

Still hiding the gun under his jacket, Christoforides walks through town. To the right stands Sherriff & Ward's department store, which became Debenhams, on High Street, Winchester.

As Clive says "Now 'Buses Only" - "Renaults and Concealed Weapons Prohibited". (RL)

Looking towards The Broadway, High Street from Eastgate Street in Winchester with the statue of King Alfred the Great to the left and the tower of The Guildhall in the centre distance.

Clive observed that "clearly someone has been watering that tree!" (RL)

Christoforides crosses the road. The end of Eastgate Street at the junction with High Street in Winchester.

Clive send this shot showing a new roundabout and that the zebra crossing had "trotted" up the road. (RL)

The young man looks around before entering a public convenience where he hides the weapon. The gateway and railings of the Abbey Grounds on Broadway, Winchester with Abbey House in the background.

Clive did not wish to spend too much time photographing a Men's lavatory. (RL)

John Sawyer walks through the Cathedral grounds after agreeing to defend Christoforides in court. Looking up at the south transept of Winchester's Cathedral of the Holy Trinity.

As Clive says " .....and the prize for most scaffolding on Reelstreets goes to.... (RL)

The camera tilts down to find the barrister a he walks through a photo-shoot. Winchester Cathedral, The Close, Winchester in Hampshire.

No model today - not even a model of a model during Clive's visit. (RL)

John crosses over to Inspector Colder (Ivor Dean) who he has arranged to meet. Winchester Cathedral, which can also be seen in 'Number 13' as well as 1974's 'Brief Encounter'.

Clive sent this shot from a scaffold-free zone, happily. (RL)

As the two men talk about the case, John watches the model being photographed. Winchester Cathedral, Hampshire.

Clive had to resort to a change of angle due to an episode of 'Extreme Hoarding'. (RL)

After leaving the Inspector, John heads to the river. The River Itchen alongside 'The Weirs' in Winchester.

Clive found that after all those years it was now in need of a "lick" of paint. (RL)

John Sawyer meets with his nephew, Desmond Flower (Ian Ogilvy), and the two head for a pub. In the left distance stands Harbour House, the former Harbour Board Offices on Town Quay, Southampton. On his lunch break from The Deanery School in Southampton, Brian Smith came across filming and was able to speak with James Mason "I only had a library card in my pocket at the time so he signed his autograph on that!"

As a 'Gentlemen's Entertainment Venue' the building has now qualified as Southampton's cultural epicentre advises Clive. (RL)

Desmond rushes off after noticing a girl named Brenda in the bar and John follows, pausing to watch a building being demolished. The Gurney Arms public house at the corner of Chantry Road and Andersons Road, Southampton. The area has been completely redeveloped.

Clive found that there is now no chance of a pint of Brickwood's there any more. (RL)

Brenda (Marjie Lawrence) waits to about to board a bus as John catches up. Facing south-east on Chantry Road. John Eagle recalls being on the bus, remembering that James Mason talked with him and his fellow extras and the dream of stardom.

Clive found that not even the road remains! (RL)

John boards the bus and watches Brenda at the stop where she alights. The Royal Albert Hotel still stands on what is now part of Albert Road South in Southampton.

Clive says that "She could have saved 3d and walked the 200 yards - Lazy Brenda." (RL)

The young woman walks along the street as the bus pulls away. Looking towards the junction of Lower Bridge Road and Albert Road with the Royal Albert Hotel on the left and the York & Albany public house to the right.

Clive found that one would have a long wait for a bus along there now. (RL)

Brenda crosses to enter a seedy looking club tucked away behind a pub. The York & Albany public house at the corner of Albert Road and Lower Bridge Road in Southampton, Hampshire. The buildings have been demolished.

At least as Clive found, there is somewhere to sit down. (RL)