Strictly for the Birds

A montage of views unrelated to the film accompany the titles. Here, we’re looking out from Charing Cross station in WC2 towards the corner of Strand and Duncannon Street with St. Martin-in-the-Fields church in the right distance.

Looking out from the same location. (PW)

These are the steps from Charing Cross station concourse that lead down onto Villiers Street which is crossing the background.

The refurbished steps survive. (PW)

Looking up the steps to Charing Cross station concourse.

There are less people but more orders these days. (PW)

Facing the forecourt of Charing Cross station from Strand in WC2.

A reasonable comparison of the busy forecourt. (PW)

In the background stands the corner of Strand and Villiers Street.

The background building remains in place. (PW)

As the credits end, a flock of pigeons take off from Trafalgar Square before the scene cuts to the upper floors of buildings in the neighbourhood where Terry Blessing lodges with his sister Peggy and her Husband.

Borrowing money from Peggy and carrying a pair of maracas forgotten by Maxine's boyfriend Joe, Terry Blessing (Tony Tanner) makes his way to the station for the journey to work. Dave W has found the long-gone tube station entrance of Shepherds Bush, and here, looking across Shepherd's Bush Place, now known as Plimley Place, to 54 Uxbridge Road, London W12 and a branch of J. Lyons. (RL)

Rather a grim scene of damp scaffolding looking west along Uxbridge Road. This details the left hand side of the original with the right side swept away for a recessed glassed and shiny new entrance. SJ

In the West End, Terry appears from Piccadilly Circus station. Piccadilly Circus in W1 with Regent Street in the left background and Glasshouse Street to the right.

The kiosk hides Regent Street. SJ

The camera follows the 29 year old gambler as he folds his newspaper while heading into Soho. Piccadilly Circus with the corner of Shaftesbury Avenue to the left.

About there: I quite like the shadows on the pavement trying to match. SJ

Terry walks through Berwick Street market. Berwick Street W1, seen from the junction with Peter Street.

Berwick Street from ground level. (PW)

A peach is purchased from a Trader before Terry ducks into an alleyway. Facing north on Berwick Street. The street is seen in many productions including 'The Small World of Sammy Lee', 'Evidence in Concrete', ‘The Playbirds’, ‘Turn the Key Softly’ and 'Make Mine a Million'.

A variety of food has replaced the fruit and veg on sale in the 60s. (PW)

Terry calls into the Maryland Club where he wins the jackpot on a fruit machine whilst dropping off the musician's maracas. This has the appearance of a set.

Returning to the market with his winnings, Terry continues his way to work.

Late as usual, Terry arrives at the newsagents where Mr. Mendoza has recently taken him on as assistant manager. The shop is based on Moroni's on Old Compton Street but the location is a set which is confirmed by Soho George following on from the suspicions of Derek H.

Coming out of a bookmakers after placing a bet, Terry dives out of the way as Claire Snow (Jeanne Moody) negotiates her way through the market. Continuity suggests that this may be Peter Street in Soho W1, but it’s more likely to be a set.

Following an apology, Claire drives on along the busy street. Peter Street W1 at the junction of Berwick Street with Walker’s Court to the left and the side wall of the Lex Garage on Brewer Street in the extreme top right distance.

A wider view of the busy street where queues now snake across the road. (PW)

From a telephone kiosk, Linda Rich (Christine Hargreaves) calls Terry at the shop and tells him that her friend Dorothy (Juliet Cooke) had his baby six years ago. Phil Evans did some research about this location . . .

Opening the kiosk door, Dorothy tells the impatient Marlon to wait. The phone box looks like a prop and Phil Evans had seen The George pub before . . .

After Terry agrees to a meeting at a coffee bar on Great Newport Street the two women leave the call box before Dorothy departs for the airport with her American husband. This is a set at Beaconsfield Studios identified by Phil Evans who spotted the same buildings in television's 'The Avengers'.

Picking up his winnings from Hymie Fisher's betting shop, Terry makes his way to the Comanchero's Coffee Bar. The junction of Old Compton Street and Dean Street in W1 with Gamba occupying number 46 Dean Street.

Traffic now flows the other way along the northern part of Dean Street. (PW)

Coming out of the coffee bar after Alfie (Alan Baulch) is left in Terry's care by Linda, the two walk hand in hand through Soho. The junction of Rupert Street and Winnett Street with the White Horse public house at the corner of Archer Street to the right.

A quieter moment on Rupert Street. (PW)

Alfie just about keeps up with Terry as they make their way to find Hartley. The corner of Winnett Street and Rupert Street in Soho with the Globe Theatre on the left.

Recognisable as the same corner. (PW)

Nearby, Hartley (Graham Stark) performs for a less than appreciative Gathering.

As the busker holds out his hat for the collection, the Audience stand up and move on.

Leaving Alfie with Hartley for a couple of hours, Terry makes his way to a card game. Winnett Street W1 with Wardour Street and St. Anne’s churchyard in the left background.

A higher fence has protected the church yard for some time. (PW)

The shot keeps up with Terry as he quickens his pace. Winnett Street with the wall and doors of the Queen's Theatre as the backdrop.

An obstructed view. (PW)

Terry reaches the car park where he unexpectedly bumps into Hartley and Alfie. Facing south on Dean Street with buildings on Gerrard Street beyond Shaftesbury Avenue and Macclesfield Street in the distance.

There hasn't been a car park on the right for many years. (PW)

Hartley tells his pal that the can keep the little perisher before revealing his broken drum. The car park in the ruins of St. Anne’s church off Dean Street.

As Alfie sits in the driving seat while Terry plays cards with a Traffic Warden, Mario from the bookies, Sardines and two Others in the back of a luxury car, Claire leaves the car park after leaving her Austin Healey Spite. Facing Dean Street with Romilly Street and the Golden Lion public house in the background. The car park occupied the ruins of St. Anne’s church which had been bombed during the Second World War.

An almost impossible view to recreate. (PW)

Terry returns the the shop with Alfie and is fired by Mr. Mendoza. Soho George confirms that this was part of a set built at Beaconsfield Studios in Buckinghamshire.

Leaving Alfie with his sister, Terry and Hartley go to the dog track where the punter has more luck.

After being robbed by Claire and her accomplice George following a very successful visit to a casino, Terry sits penniless on the kerb.

Terry returns to his lodgings where to learn that he's won £10 in a raffle . . . . which he hands over to pay a debt to neighbour Bridget Samuels.