Surprise Package
Date: 1960
Director: Stanley Donen
Production Company: Stanley Donen Enterprises, Columbia Pictures Corporation
Stars: Yul Brynner, Mitzi Gaynor, Noël Coward, George Coulouris, Eric Pohlmann
Location(s): Rhodes (Greece), Surrey
Region(s): Rest Of The World, South East R-Z
Storyline:
An exiled gangster wires his associates in the U.S. to send funds, but instead of cash, his girlfriend arrives.
Additional Information:
Screen captures uploaded by Phil Wilkinson
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Can you help:
If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.
We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.
- Capture 1
- 24 Oct 2021
Members of Nico March's syndicate arrive at his mansion in upstate New York. The gateway to Great Fosters on Stroude Road near Egham in Surrey.
Highlighting that the pillars have changed and the gates have disappeared, Nick Boorman took this comparison.
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
After making their payments to the gambling boss, the syndicate members depart.
- Capture 3
- 24 Oct 2021
Two U.S. Marshals arrive to escort Nico to Greece. Great Fosters, Egham. The house and gateway were also seen in 'You Pay Your Money', 'Oh, Daddy' and 'A Night to Remember'.
A clearer view of the house by Nick Boorman.
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required
The gangster is flown back to his homeland. An establishing, and probably stock, shot with the Acropolis of Athens to the right.
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
Still accompanied by the U.S. Marshals, Nico is taken by boat to the small island of Kadmos where he is expected to consider himself retired. The Aegean Sea seen from the island of Rhodes.
- Capture 6
- 'Now' required
Nico March (Yul Brynner) jumps from the boat as it reaches the jetty. Lindos on the island of Rhodes, Greece.
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
The Chief of Police, Stefan Miralis (Eric Pohlmann), meets Nico at the quayside. The jetty in Lindos, Rhodes. The jetty has since been shortened after the seaward end fell into disrepair.
- Capture 8
- 'Now' required
As he shows the new arrival around the town, Miralis tells Nico that they will be good friends. Lindos on the island of Rhodes in the Dodecanese.
- Capture 9
- 'Now' required
Nico hands a bribe over to the corrupt Police Chief. In the centre distance stands the bell tower of the Byzantine Panagia, or St. Mary's, church in Lindos.
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required
Having been shown the rundown hotel where he is to stay, Nico spots Villa Manori in the distance. Lesley Crowden identifies Kallithea Springs, which is just south of Rhodes Town on Rhodes, The location can also been seen in 'Escape to Athena' and 'The Guns of Navarone'.
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
Miralis leads Nico to the "historic" inn. The ground floor of the building still stands on the edge of Lindos but it appears that the upper floors were added for the film.
- Capture 12
- 28 May 2024
Nico is asked over for tea at Villa Manori, home of the deposed King Pavel II of Anatolia. Lesley Crowden recognised this to be the entrance to the Thermal Baths at Kallithea Springs in the Dodecanese.
Lesley captured the whole of the archway.
- Capture 13
- 'Now' required
After sending for funds from the States to buy jewels from the King, Nico's girlfriend Gabby Rogers (Mitzi Gaynor) arrives on the island instead. The beach of the main bay with the acropolis of Lindos rising above the town.
- Capture 14
- 'Now' required
When he fails to sell secrets to Nico, Hungarian spy Tibor Smolny (Guy Deghy) approaches Gabby.
- Capture 15
- 'Now' required
Nico confronts Gabby when he sees her with the Hungarian.
- Capture 16
- 'Now' required
Gabby tells her boyfriend about the ruined temples, statues and grottoes that litter the island.
- Capture 17
- 'Now' required
Reluctantly, Nico follows Gabby to seek out the island's treasures. The view of Lindos from the Acropolis.
- Capture 18
- 20 Jul 2018
The two reach the temple. In the middle of the image stand the Columns of the Hellenistic stoa or portico. The statue to the right appears a prop.
Fresh from his trip to Rhodes Craig Stafford provides this now, as he did for Guns of Navarone. (SJ)
- Capture 19
- 20 Jul 2018
An unimpressed Nico crosses to a statue of Dianna. The Doric temple of Athena Lindia and another prop statue.
Craig again, on a stunning Aegean/Mediterranean (as it's on the east coast, a good arguing point) day. (SJ)
- Capture 20
- 20 Jul 2018
Gabby explains that the ruined temple is over 1,000 years old. The top of the staircase leading to the Propylaea, or monumental gateway, of the Sanctuary.
And Craig with another winner. (SJ)
- Capture 21
- 'Now' required
Nico spots a statue of a guy stealing hub caps. In the left background stand the Columns of the Hellenistic portico and in the foreground, yet another prop statue.
- Capture 22
- 'Now' required
Gabby tells Nico about the Temple of the Seven Winds. The bottom of the staircase of the Propylaea.
- Capture 23
- 'Now' required
After saving Gabby from falling masonry, Nico goes in search of a likely assassin. The Propylaea, or gateway, of the Acropolis' Sanctuary.
- Capture 24
- 24 Jun 2016
Having found a crow-bar, Nico returns to the ground. Scenes for 'The Guns of Navarone' were also shot here.
Here's a cloudy scaffolded shot, which we hope can be replaced these summer hols. RJ
- Capture 25
- 'Now' required
Gabby visits one of the town's churches. This is likely to be a studio set.
- Capture 26
- 'Now' required
During the film's finále chase scenes Tibor is shot. Again, the narrow streets have the appearance of a set.