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Date: 1953
Director: John Paddy Carstairs
Production Company: Paul Soskin Productions, British Film-Makers
Stars: Ronald Shiner, Harry Fowler, Anthony Newley, Alfie Bass, Mary Jerrold, Howard Marion-Crawford, Richard Wattis, Gerald Campion
Location(s): Brussels (Belgium), Buckinghamshire, Kent, London, Paris, Rome
Region(s): France, Italy, London T-Z, Rest Of The World, South East R-Z
Storyline:
A tipster inadvertently becomes the headmaster of a boys’ school and while on a trip to Paris his pupils become mixed up with a jewel robbery.
Additional Information:
Page compiled by Phil Wilkinson
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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
- 'Now' required

At a race course, tipster Professor Ronnie Fortescue (Ronald Shiner) attempts to sell his racing predictions to a wary Audience.
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required

Against the odds, horse number 5 wins the next race.
- Capture 3
- 'Now' required

When it's discovered that the Professor's envelope contained number 5, an angry Bookmaker sends his Thugs after him.
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required

Jumping over a wall, the Professor finds himself at a garden party in the grounds of Bagshot Academy. Actually, the grounds of Heatherden Hall within Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire.
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required

Two of the Bookie's Thugs enter the school gates looking for Fortescue. The Grade II listed Heatherden Hall.
- Capture 6
- 27 Nov 2025

Given the post of Headmaster by Mrs. Bagshot, Professor Fortescue takes his Pupils to the Interschool Examination in London to prevent Mr. Willoughby Gore from closing the academy. Spotted by Steve Randall, this is facing Dorset House on Gloucester Place NW1 which can also be seen in 'The Wrong Arm of the Law'.

Those two trees have exploded so I stepped out to avoid the one on the right to show at least some of Dorset House. SJ
- Capture 7
- 27 Nov 2025

Alfie Wilson (Graham Stark) and Matt Higgins hide behind a pillar to grab Septimus Jones (Oscar Quitak) as the Professor attempts to stop Albert (Harry Fowler) and another Boy from dancing on the steps of the building. This is Westminster Council Library on the corner with Upper Montagu Street. (SJ)

A hand rail has been added. SJ
- Capture 8
- 19 Dec 2025

Making his way to the hotel where they are staying, Professor Fortescue carries a pile of text books for his Boys to swat up in preparation for the following day's examination. Outside the Kensington Hotel on Queen's Gate SW7 identified by Steve Randall.

Looking north from 110 Queen's Gate to the corner with Manson Place. SJ
- Capture 9
- 10 Feb 2026

French crook Monsieur Cliquot visits a Barber in the East End where he meets with Wilson and Higgins in the basement to discuss a robbery at the National Museum in Paris. Chapel Market N1 looking towards the junction with Baron Street, found by Steve Randall who noticed that the footage appears to have been taken from 'Waterloo Road'.

The view today from ground level. The Alma Rooms, seen on the right, originally a Victorian beer house still survives as a pub and serviced apartments.(SR)
- Capture 10
- 06 Aug 2026


Alarm sirens sound at the gaol where Septimus Jones's brother Arty is a prisoner when it's discovered that he's missing. Wandsworth Prison on Heathfield Road SW19 in a scene taken from the 1949 release 'Don’t Ever Leave Me'.

A more cluttered location now, as Peter Bywaters discovered.
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required

At Bagshot Academy, the basket ball Team (Including Roland Curram, Anthony Newley, Ronnie Corbett, Gerald Campion and Melvyn Hayes) at a match against Repingham School. Heatherden Hall at Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath.
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required

The opposing team arrive at the school. Heatherden Hall at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire.
- Capture 13
- 'Now' required

When the bus comes to a stand, Mr. Dickson alights with his smartly dressed Pupils. Heatherden Hall features in many productions including 'What a Whopper', 'Crackerjack', 'Band of Thieves', 'House of Secrets', 'The Square Peg' and 'Carry On Camping'.
- Capture 14
- 'Now' required

On the run, Arty Jones (Alfie Bass) takes off his prison clothes outside the school. Heatherden Hall at Pinewood Studios in Iver Heath.
- Capture 15
- 'Now' required

With whistles blowing and their dogs pulling on their leads, Wardens enter the grounds of Bagshot Academy as they hunt for the escaped convict. The gardens at Heatherden Hall where a similar view appears in 'Wombling Free'.
- Capture 16
- 'Now' required

Mistaken for the escaped prisoner when he picks up Arty's discarded clothing while still wearing shorts following the basket ball match, the Professor runs from the Wardens. In the left distance between the trees stands Heatherden Hall.
- Capture 17
- 'Now' required

After Bagshot Academy wins the Interschool Examination, a train takes Professor Fortescue's Pupils to Dover and the ferry to France.
- Capture 18
- 'Now' required

The Golden Arrow pulls into Dower station. Dover Marine station on Admiralty Pier in Dover, Kent. The station was renamed Dover Western Docks from May 1979 and closed in September 1994.
- Capture 19
- 'Now' required

With Arty joining the Class dressed as a Pupil, the boat to France departs. Launched in 1934, the Belgian registered Prince Baudouin leaves Dover for Oostend.
- Capture 20
- 'Now' required

Travelling from the French coast, the boat train arrives at the Paris terminus. Manuel Gurtner explains that this is stock footage taken at Gare de Lyon on Place Louis Armand 12e which is also used in 'Beware of Pity'.
- Capture 21
- 'Now' required

The train comes to a stand in the station where the Deputy Minister for Education is waiting to welcome the Professor and his Class to Paris. This is the pre-war Stazione Termini on Via Giovanni Giolitti, Rome recognised by Manuel Gurtner.
- Capture 22
- 'Now' required

Leaving the station, Professor Fortescue and his Pupils enjoy the sights of Paris on their way to the hotel. The Church of Saint Mary Magdalene on Place de la Madeleine in the 8th arrondissement.
- Capture 23
- 'Now' required

More stock footage helps the story along. Palais Garnier on Place de l'Opéra, Paris IXe.
- Capture 24
- 'Now' required

That evening after dinner, the Professor and his Class are taken to the National Museum where Marie Antoinette's necklace is on show. The Eldorado was a cinema on Place de Brouckère in Brussels.

