They Made Me a Fugitive

A hearse approaches the premises of Valhalla Undertaking as psychopathic black marketeer Narcy waits inside for the loot that it carries. A matted shot of a set at the studio.

Having employed recently demobbed airman Clem Morgan, Narcy takes him to rob Hedley’s Warehouse following a heated exchange between the two about handling drugs. Crabtree Lane in London SW6.

Andrew Price found that warehouse chic now the order of the day on this side of Crabtree Lane.

A Policeman turns when he hears Hedley’s alarm sounding as Narcy betrays Clem whilst he’s inside the warehouse. Crabtree Wharf, just opposite the robbery action on Crabtree Lane.

No warehouse chic on the site of the wharf in Andrew's comparison. "Perhaps not surprisingly, this estate is not included in the Crabtree Conservation Area."

George Clement Morgan (Trevor Howard) jumps from the building and scrambles into the car as Soapy accelerates away. Crabtree Lane, Fulham opposite Crabtree Wharf which has since been redeveloped as Adam Walk.

Andrew Price tells us "To the left of the picture is the Boat House. Recently renovated, here we see one of the two five-storey houses in the development. To the right stands Crabtree Hall, built in 1927 with a hall, residential accommodation and commercial premises on the ground floor. The commercial accommodation has now been converted into residential use. Both buildings are designated by the local authority as Buildings of Merit."

The getaway car speeds from the scene as two Policeman arrive. Looking north on Crabtree Lane.

In 2018, advises Andrew, one of the properties in the stone-bricked Boat House was on the market for £1.8m.

Further along the road, P.C. Archer holds his hand up to stop the approaching car. Crabtree Lane in SW6 with Holyport Road to the left and Crabtree Hall at the corner of Rainville Road on the right.

Andrew Price points out the wheelie bin which is standing roughly where the phone box was located.

Narcy orders Soapy to run the Officer down. Facing the corner of Rainville Road and Crabtree Lane in Fulham. Simon Davies points out that the corner of Crabtree Lane and Rainville Road is only a short distance south of Alliance Films' Riverside Studios in Crisp Road, Hammersmith.

In Andrew's shot, a Middle Eastern restaurant currently occupies the corner shop.

Attempting to wrest the wheel from Soapy, Clem unsuccessfully tries to avoid hitting the Policeman. Looking along Crabtree Lane at the junction with Rainville Road and Holyport Road.

There's no street light to hit in Andrew Price's modern view.

Knocking Clem unconscious and placing him in the driving seat, Narcy and Soapy run from the scene. Crabtree Lane with Holyport Road to the extreme left.

Another daylight view as Andrew captures the same corner.

With bells ringing, a police car appears in the street. Facing the corner of Crabtree Lane and Holyport Road. The location is also seen in ’13 East Street’.

Andrew found that the corner shop has been converted for residential use.

Inspector Rockliffe (Ballard Berkeley) arrives on the scene and is told that Archer is dead. The junction of Crabtree Lane, Rainville Road and Holyport Road in Fulham SW6.

Andrew Price, again at the same corner.

Arrested, tried and convicted for manslaughter, Clem Morgan is sent to serve his time at Dartmoor Prison. The prison stands on Tavistock Road in Princetown, Devon and also appears in 1930's 'Escape!', the remake ‘Escape’ made in 1948 and, more recently, ’Lucky Break’ from 2001.

The prospect of fifteen years hard labour gives the framed man good reason to plan his escape.

Clem breaks free from a road party and goes on the run. With distances of 2 miles to Princetown and 15 miles to Plymouth, this should be the junction of the A384 and the B3212, as indicated, at Two Bridges in Devon.

After stealing clothing from an outbuilding, Clem makes his way from a farm.

Farmer Keaney fires his shotgun at Clem, peppering his back with pellets.

Police cordons continue to comb the countryside.

Officers scan the desolate moor. This appears to be Dartmoor on the B3212 between Warren House and Lettaford to the west of Shapley Common.

At The Music Box theatre where showgirl Sally Connor works, Stage Hands read about Clem’s escape. There are many elements that suggest this is a set, unless anyone knows different.

Back in the West Country, the fugitive hails an approaching lorry which stops to pick him up.

On the journey towards London, the Lorry Driver becomes suspicious of his passenger.

Having disposed of the Lorry Driver and taking his identity papers, Clem successfully passes through a police roadblock and continues to the capital.

Vacating the undertakers, Narcy and his gang meet at their new hideout located in a railway arch.

After Narcy forces Cora to give away her boyfriend Soapy’s whereabouts, Jim finds him at the seedy Nelson Hotel in Limehouse and gives chase when he tries to flee.

Jim catches up with Soapy on a quayside and kills him, before letting his body drop into the dock.

Following a struggle downstairs, Clem and Narcy (Griffith Jones) fight on the roof of Valhalla Undertaking high above the studio floor.

Outside the undertakers, Sally Connor (Sally Gray) watches as Clem is driven away after being taken into custody. The same set seen at the start of the film.