Touch of Larceny, A

A record plays 'Try a Little Tenderness' as Commander Max Easton and Susan are disturbed by her husband Tom arriving home.

Discounting an escape when looking through a window into the street below, the Commander concocts a story as to why he is in the house.

The underworked Commander Easton arrives at the Admiralty for another day during which an inter-service meeting is the highlight. Looking across Horse Guards Parade towards The Admiralty in London SW1.

A rather splendid scene. SJ

Commander Max Easton (James Mason) and an old acquaintance Sir Charles Holland (George Sanders) leave the private squash club where they are both members. Having analysed all the available evidence Dave W settles on the steps of 16 St James' Square SW1 -- now the East India Club. (RL)

Much the same. SJ

Offering the Commander a lift, Sir Charles opens the door of his Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud in which Mrs. Virginia Killain is sitting. Having left the Club we are now looking towards the Cyprus High Commission, 13 St James's Square, St. James's, London SW1Y 4LB (RL)

The northwest corner of St James's Square. SJ

Dropped off at Sloane Square, Commander Easton watches the car drive away with the attractive widow. Sloane Square in SW1 with the Peter Jones department store at the corner of King’s Road in the background.

And it's more scaffolding! SJ

Max persists with getting to know Virginia Killain (Vera Miles) although she is betrothed to Sir Charles and eventually she allows him to take her out. Eaton Square in London SW1.

Has there been some renumbering? SJ

Dismissing the chauffeur Colthorpe (Gordon Phillott) for the day, the pair set off for lunch aboard Max's ship. Facing north-east on Eaton Square in Belgravia.

Some scaffolding mars the scene. SJ

Reaching their destination, Max parks the Aston Martin and points out his sailing boat "Shelduck". Steve Randall identifies the location as Birdham Pool Marina at Birdham near Chichester in Sussex.

A virtually identical scene today. (SR)

Ending the day at a supper club, Max takes Virginia home. Eaton Square can also be seen in ‘The Stud’, ‘Do Not Disturb’, ‘Aunt Clara’ and ‘Cool it Carol’ while an almost identical view in daylight appears in ‘The Lady is a Square’.

Slighter lighter despite the rain. SJ

Putting his plan to make money into operation, Max leaves his apartment with Commander John Larkin (Robert Flemyng) telling the Hall Porter (Frederick Piper) to post a letter for him. This is St. James's Close on St. James's Terrace off Prince Albert Road in NW8 spotted by Phil Evans.

Paul Lincoln wondered whether the residents have given up the post of 'Hall Porter' in favour of planted flower beds. (RL)

Commander Larkin positions a suitcase before saying goodbye to his colleague. St. James's Close also appears in 'For Members Only', 'Meet Mr Callaghan' and 'Miranda'.

Thanks Paul, definitely more greenery there these days. (RL)

Two Car Salesmen (John Lynn and Unknown) are happy to buy the Commander's Aston Martin.

After calling into the office to hide some secret documents, Max sails around the coast to Liverpool in "Shelduck".

Arriving in Seaforth, Max asks an Fuel Attendant (Patrick Connor) if his boat will be alright moored for twenty minutes. The prop nautical filling station appears to have been positioned outside Cargo Shed 27 on the northernmost quayside of Empress Dock in Southampton Docks in Hampshire.

In a gentleman's convenience, the Commander changes into a suit.

Max walks along the quayside.

A postcard is mailed to Captain Graham at the Admiralty.

Max asks a Dock Policeman (Dickie Owen) which ship is the 'Karl Marx'. If continuity is correct, this is a door to Cargo Shed 22 on the south-western quayside of Empress Dock.

Pointing out the vessel, the Constable tells Max that he'll need permission from Harbour Control to go board. The Empress Dock at Southampton Docks in Hampshire.

Making sure that he will be remembered by the Dock Policeman and his colleague Bert, Max returns to "Shelduck". The northernmost quayside of Empress Dock in Southampton Docks, Hampshire.

Leaving the harbour, Max sets out for the west of Scotland and The Skerries. This appears to be the exit from Empress Dock onto the River Itchen with Cargo and Passenger Shed 33 in the background.

After scanning the horizon, Max turns on the radio and settles down to bide his time while his disappearance is noticed. Dubh Sgeir in the Firth of Lorne, Argyllshire.

Surrounded by supplies, Max smokes his pipe while a request from a listener in Muswell Hill is played. Dubh Sgeir to the north-east of Insh Island, across the Sound of Insh from Seil.

Sir Charles and Virginia travel on the overnight train to see his family in Scotland before the wedding. Here’s some well used and often seen footage.

While questions are asked by the Police in London when Commander Easton overstays his leave, in Seaforth Bert (Percy Herbert) greets a Dock Worker. This sequence looks like a pick-up at different docks.

Bert looks round when his Colleague spots a picture of the missing Commander in the newspaper.

Newspapers are delivered to the Holland family home where Sir Charles and Virginia read about Max going missing. This is Torosay Castle on the Isle of Mull. (SR)

With front page headlines about “Rammer” Easton being seen boarding a Russian ship, The Star is carried from the printing works by a line of newspaper vans. Barden Gridge identifies this as Tallis Street in EC4 looking towards since replaced buildings on John Carpenter Street in the right distance beyond the junction with Carmelite Street.

Paul Lincoln visited the same location to find considerably less traffic. (RL)

Spotted on his island by Gregson and Jones from Special Branch, the Commander is taken to the mainland. Easdale Sound, facing the pier at Ellenabeich in Argyllshire.

Wrapped in a blanket to keep him warm, Commander Easton steps from the boat. Ellenabeich, on the island of Seil.

Locals gather around the hotel where Max Easton has been taken. Ellenabeich also appears in ‘Alive and Kicking’, ‘Ring of Bright Water’ and ‘The Bridal Path’ while other parts of the island can be seen in 'Kidnapped'.