Up the Junction

In Chelsea, Polly Dean (Suzy Kendall) appears at her front door before getting into the waiting Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud. Jonathan from jno forum.minder.org advises that this is Forbes House at Ham Common in Richmond, Surrey.

John Harwood took this shot of the building that replaced the 1930s property which was demolished in 1992.

South of the river, Mrs. McCarthy (Liz Fraser) leaves the house with her daughters Sylvie (Maureen Lipman) and Rube (Adrienne Posta). Neil Betterton identifies this as Gladstone Terrace in London SW8, looking south west with the railway viaduct carrying the line between Battersea Park and Wandsworth Road stations in the right distance. The location is also seen in ‘This is My Street’.

The best view possible along a truncated street with the bridge in the right distance proving the location. (PW)

The Rolls drives west along the north bank of the Thames. Grosvenor Road SW3.

The only portion of Grosvenor Road which is embanked at the top by railings rather than wall is opposite the Churchill Gardens Estate is in SW1. Over the river is the St George Wharf development which filled in a coach park and replaced the newly built and short-lived Nine Elms Cold Store. SJ

Rube and Sylvie chatter as they head to the factory where they work. The northern end of Fairfield Street in SW18 with the gates of Wandsworth Gas Works ahead. The area also appears in ‘All Neat in Black Stockings’.

The northern end of Fairfield Street is now call Smugglers Way. This shot from Peter Bywaters shows that all have now demolished with the area continuing to change as new buildings are constructed.

Polly's Chauffeur driven car turns south to cross the river by Chelsea Bridge. In the right background stands the chimney of the London County Council's Western Pumping Station alongside Grosvenor Bridge.

Bulent Dumenci provides this comparison taken from the bridge.

Bringing the Rolls Royce to a stand, the Chauffeur gets out and opens the door for Polly. Chelsea Bridge, crossing the River Thames from Chelsea to Battersea. The structure appears in many productions including 'Absolute Beginners', 'The Day the Earth Caught Fire', 'Pygmalion', 'Soapbox Derby', 'Col cuore in gola', 'The Mutations', 'Emil and the Detectives' and 'Panic'.

Not quite the same crane shot but Chelsea Bridge it is. SJ.

# Day's begun and people rush, off to work by foot and bus; Open eyes and open minds, conditioned to the daily grind . . . Looking over the Thames towards Pimlico with a train heading south over Grosvenor Bridge.

# Lots of people rush down the street . . . Hello; Lots of people rush down the street . . . Hello; Up the junction, Up the junction . . . A virtually impossible shot to recreate now due to high rise construction as the camera pans to bring Battersea Wharf into the frame with Battersea Power Station appearing to the top right.

While Polly continues her journey on foot, following the train, the lens moves past the Power Station beyond Battersea Wharf Depot off Queenstown Road in SW11.

# Day's begun and people rush, off to work by foot and bus; Through the factory gates they swarm, similar clothes by all are worn, overalls like uniforms . . . To the right, the gasometers of Battersea Gas Works rise above the tangle of railway lines to the north of Battersea Park Road.

# A sea of faces, young and old; Filling every crack and hole; Some are floating in a dream, but all go through the same routine, drifting in the human stream; Up the junction, Up the junction . . . The shot zooms in, past the Power Station and Gas Works to find flats on Stewart's Lane along with the roof of The Old Red House public house and Lennane House on Battersea Park Road SW11.

# Open eyes and open minds, conditioned to the daily grind; Stop to lock their dreams away, there's nothing new about today, only what the papers say; Up the junction, Up the junction . . . A cross-fade brings the chimneys of Fulham Power Station into view.

# Lots of people rush down the street, meet friends and say hello; It's not as nice as yesterday, the better weather's on the way; Up the junction, Up the junction . . . Zooming out finds Polly walking ahead of Sylvie, Rube and their colleagues. Neil Betterton locates this as the alley running southward towards Petergate in Wandsworth SW11 with Lerwick House in the background. The four chimneys in the right distance belong to the now demolished Fulham power station and the wall to the left is part of the former toffee factory used extensively in the film.

A composite image created from two of SJ's comparison shots, on the left, the best one can do now. SJ adds that the nearest block is called Lerwick House with its rear looking onto Usk Road. The second view, to the right, is taken further back from first showing what has replaced the path at the side of the factory with Lerwick House.

As sorters and packers make their way inside, Polly looks through the gates into Macrindles confectionery factory. Petergate in Wandsworth, now a footpath named Tours Passage, with the railway line running between Wandsworth Town and Clapham Junction stations on the background embankment.

About here probably. SJ

The factory hooter signals the start of another ten hour shift. Looking into the courtyard of the toffee factory on Petergate.

Not a lot to go on here. (PW)

After checking the vacancy board for jobs, Polly heads into the Foreman's office. The gates of the toffee factory with the passage running south from Lerwick House to the top right.

Again,with no reference points this will have to do. (PW)

Following a quick lunch of egg and chips in a local café, Polly and her new friends make their way back to the factory. Neil tells us that this is Wandsworth Road SW8 facing the junction with Lansdowne Way with, to the top right, the white windows of The Bell public house, currently a second hand furniture shop.

Following Neil's research, this is the now shot. SJ

Waiting for a gap in the traffic, the three young women cross the road. This is Wandsworth Road with Battersea Gas Works and Battersea Power Station behind the roof of the Brooklands Arms public house and the railway paraphernalia of Nine Elms beyond the hoarding. Peter Clift advises that the scene is now dominated by Pure Gym building.

And Peter also fills the gap in our record of the location with this view of the building that . . . fills the gap.

The new friends pass Lads playing football in the factory yard. Above the gateway, across Petergate and the railway line, stands Peterhead House on St. Peter’s Place SW18. The flats have since been demolished and replaced with properties on Nantes Close.

Looking towards the railway embankment. (PW)

Outside the packed pub where the sisters have taken Polly for a drink, Terry (Michael Gothard) tries to impress Rube with his Triumph. Steve Gray locates this as outside The Pavilion public house on Battersea Park Road London SW8 adding that the street name changed to Bradmead and the pub closed in 2016.

The pub has succumbed to high taxes, high rates, high rents and a lack of community. (PW)

While his mates attempt to chat up Polly and Sylvie, Terry and Rube return after a quick spin up the road. Steve Gray advises that this is looking south-west beneath the railway viaduct carrying the line between Victoria and Wandsworth Road stations, along Battersea Park Road SW11. The Pavilion is seen in 'This is My Street' while the road on the far side of the viaduct features in 'Melody' and 'The Optimists of Nine Elms'.

Taken from a similar position. (PW)

With Sylvie riding pillion with Ray and Polly on the back of John's machine, the four follow Terry and Rube from the pub.

After the boys drop the girls off outside Rube and Sylvie's house, Polly says goodbye before heading home. This is Southolm Street in SW11, underneath the viaduct carrying the railway between Battersea Park and Clapham Junction stations. The location can be seen in 'All Neat in Black Stockings' and 'The Leather Boys'.

Remarkably little has changed here in an area that has seen massive reconstruction. (PW)

As Rube waits for Terry to return for a kiss, Polly makes her way back to Chelsea with happy memories of the evening. Chelsea Bridge with Battersea Power Station and Gas Works south of the river.

Bulent Dumenci provides a daylight comparison in which just a few changes are apparent!

Polly reaches the front door of her upmarket home. Looking through the gates of Forbes House at Ham Common in Richmond located by Jonathan from jno forum.minder.org.

John Harwood took this but questioned the disparity of features . . . it appears the the film captured the neo-Georgian 1935-1992 incarnation whereas this is the neoclassical rebuild completed c. 1996. Forbes House is 13, Ham Common on the west side. (SJ)

A train draws into Clapham Junction station. The station serves the South Western and Brighton main lines and stands north of St. John's Hill, Battersea SW11.

Replacing Keith Mitchell's Google shot, this is the scene that greets the eye now. (PW).

Carrying her suitcase, Polly alights from the train and makes her way down to street level. The subway beneath the station runs from Clapham Junction Approach to the north side of the station.

Now brought inside the station, the stairs still descend from platform 17. (PW)

The 21 year old makes her way past shops as she leaves the station. Clapham Junction Approach with Prested Road to the right.

Back outside, we're in the car park of the Stop Shop arcade. With thanks to the guys patrolling the car park of Shop Stop Clapham Junction for their interest and assistance. (PW)

Polly walks through a parade of shops on her way to the main road. Clapham Junction Approach identified by Mrs. B. Hearn who knows well, as she walked through there every day in the 1960s. Her daughter was caught on film here while going to school one day, and she's now 50!

Look to the top left for confirmation of the same location. This shot replaces Keith Mitchell's earlier Google view. (PW)

Pushing open the door of an Estate Agency, Polly enters and asks Creely if there's any accommodation available.

To Creely's surprise, Polly accepts a run down flat before going out to find furniture, buying a banana from a Market Trader (Larry Martyn) on the way. Winstanley Road SW11 with the lift shafts of Clapham Junction station standing above Lothair Street in the left background with the site of already demolished buildings on Grant Road to the right.

The redesigned lift shafts still stand on the station behind the trees. (PW)

Polly browses bric-a-brac outside Charlie's curio shop. Winstanley Road now forms part of the Winstanley Estate which also makes an appearance in ‘The Asphyx’, ‘Sitting Target’, 'The Offence' and ‘Poor Cow’.

Nothing to browse here. (PW)

Charlie's assistant Pete (Dennis Waterman) takes Polly home after she buys an armchair. Winstanley Road with the Winstanley Arms visible to the top right.

A bleaker sight now. (PW)

Pete pulls away from outside the shop. Winstanley Road SW11 with Sendall Court coming into view on the right.

New construction to the left but Sendall Court still stands. (PW)

On the journey, Polly asks Pete the name of the cat that he has given her.

The Thames minibus arrives outside Polly's flat. This is Ingrave Street SW11 with the cleared land once occupied by homes on Lavender Road to the right.

Parked vehicles now rule this road. (PW)

Pete jumps out of the minibus before carrying the chair into Polly's flat. Facing east along Ingrave Street in Battersea.

No space to park when I visited. (PW)

Happy with her new hairdo, Polly leaves the salon. Falcon Road SW11.

Yes, looking past numbers 93-97 with hardly a change.

After browsing fashion shops, new clothes are purchased. Clapham Junction Approach in Battersea with Newboltons occupying the former Empire Hall in the background.

Facing the same way. (PW)

Polly admires her new look in a window. The reflection in Newboltons window on Clapham Junction Approach SW11.

Looking towards the reflected background. With thanks to the guys looking after the car park of Shop Stop Clapham Junction. (PW)

On their way to see Polly's flat, Rube and Sylvie gossip about the various men who pass by as they walk.

While the sisters suggest that Polly's furniture may be a bit old fashioned, Pete arrives outside the flat on his scooter. The corner of Ingrave Street and Wye Street with the chimneys of Fulham Power Station in the right distance, beyond the construction site.

The same corner with the background construction long completed. (PW)

Parking his Lambretta, Pete walks into the flat where the girls sit chatting. The door of 86 Ingrave Street in SW11.

Not really much to see here now. (PW)

Declining Pete's offer of going up west to a cinema or discotheque, Polly and her new boyfriend walk around the streets of her new home. Facing the corner of The Causeway and Fairfield Street, now Smuggler’s Way, with the gasometers of Wandsworth Gas Works filling the background.

Peter Bywaters revisited the location where gasometers no longer dominate the view.

Polly finds the scenery beautiful and Pete tells her that he sees "Poxy little houses. Some mum in bed, steel rods in her hair and false teeth in a glass. Her old man snoring. He's been down the boozer. Every time a train goes by it rattles the house. The old man starts coughing. Out of bed and spit it in the pot."

Pete continues "A kid'll scream further down the road. Someone further down having a ruck with his missus, calling her every name under the sun. Up in the morning at six, go to work. Day in and day out. Get behind on installments on the telly. Two weeks at Ramsgate once a year. And a wooden box at the end of it."

"You're the only beautiful thing 'round here princess. Come 'ere, I wanna show you something."

Pete leads Polly through the gardens of a half demolished terrace. This appears to be Kilton Street SW11 as Jay Court, now Park South, stands towering over the scene in the left background.

Picking a way over bricks that were once the walls of parlours, kitchens and bedrooms, the two reach the remnants of a street. This is likely to be Kilton Street in Battersea. The location is now occupied by Arthur Court on the Doddington & Rollo Estate.

Pete takes Polly inside one of the windowless buildings and up the stairs . . . . "This used to be my bedroom." The buildings suggest that this is also likely to be Kilton Street.

Agreeing to go "up west", Polly and Pete watch the well heeled enter a club. Neil Rigby places this as 29 Belgrave Square, London SW1. (RL)

The south-east side of the square. SJ

The camera tilts up the front of a building opposite as the couple ride away. Following on from Neil's identification of the above capture the camera tilt up to view the upper floors of 29 and 30 Belgrave Square, the latter now the Bahrain Embassy. This south-eastern side of Belgrave Square can also be seen in 'Alien Autopsy'. (RL)

And there's Bahrain's flag with serrated line. SJ

Arriving back in Battersea, Polly spots a rather drunken Sylvie making her way home. Roger Armstrong found Flavell Road in SW18 which was demolished to make way for Trinity Way.

Sylvie's inebriated estranged Husband begins to shout at her in the street before a fight breaks out between them. Gladstone Terrace in Battersea, beneath the viaduct taking the railway south from Victoria to Wandsworth. George Hutchison adds that his sister Jeanette appears later during this scene, wearing a black top and red skirt as she walks away from the fight that is about to break out.

Taken from outside the premises of Base Models in Arch 697, with thanks. (PW)

Using the brawl as an example of the world which he wants to escape from, Pete takes Polly home. Mentioned within the film as such, this is Ingrave Street at the corner with Wye Street in Battersea which is confirmed by Steven Hyde.

Just another view of the greenery. (PW)

When Rube falls pregnant, Polly accompanies her to Wimbledon. The Edinburgh Castle public house at the Corner of Archway Street and White Hart Lane in SW13. K. Montrell tells us that the pub was renamed to The Tree House in 1996.

Now. SJ

Feeling ill, Polly leaves her teenage friend inside the shop with Winnie. The shop stands adjacent to The Edinburgh Castle in White Hart Lane, Barnes.

The shop is now called The Cab, and The Tree House next door is re-opening as The Crossing. SJ

Taking her mind away from Rube's ordeal, Polly walks through a nearby park. See next capture. (RL)

Much of the pond has been "wilded" so the grass banking is now limited. SJ

Making her way back to the shop, Polly passes a Mother and Child. You can't stop Neil when he is on a roll, that 'pie crust' bargeboard clinched it for him, Elm Cottage, Church Road, Barnes, London SW13, by Barnes pond. (RL)

Elm Cottage can be seen peeping through the foliage. SJ

When she finds Rube in terrible pain, Polly phones Pete to come and collect them. Neil Rigby has identified this as Christ Church, Lancaster Gate. Built in 1855, it was declared unsafe in the mid 1970's, the spire was however retained and in 1983 was incorporated into an apartment block called Spire House. Christ Church is also seen in 'The Battleaxe' and 'Booby Trap'. (RL)

No phone box to enhance the comparison sadly. SJ

Having been told that Polly as hurt her leg, Pete drives to find her. Identified by Geoff Dodd, this is facing south on Sheen Lane in Mortlake SW14 with The Railway Tavern at number 11 on the left.

This is taken from the car just ahead of The Railway Tavern approaching the railway crossing on Sheen Lane. SJ

Pete is annoyed to see his girlfriend waiting with Rube. Facing south at the corner of White Hart Lane and Archway Street in Barnes SW13.

The Edinbugh Castle, which became the Tree House, on the left. SJ

When he discovers that Rube has had an abortion, a distressed and angry Terry speeds away from the McCarthy's house. Gladstone Terrace in Battersea SW8 with properties on Havelock Terrace visible through the arches of the railway viaduct. More views of Havelock Terrace appear in 'This Is My Street'.

Beyond the premises of Newton Preparatory School stands the railway viaduct. (PW)

Knowing that she's irritated him by becoming involved in Rube's situation, Polly finds Pete at work.

When going bowling is suggested, guests spill out onto the street from Rube and Terry's engagement party.

Rube tells Terry that shes riding in the Consul.

Racing against Ray and John, Terry speeds ahead through roadworks before he collides with a lorry that pulls out in front.

Pete arrives outside Polly's flat in an E Type Jaguar. The corner of Wye Street and Ingrave Street with the construction of Battersea Chapel under way behind the hoarding.

Another view of the corner as it looks 52 years into their future. (PW)

Polly is impressed by the car that Pete tells her he has hired for the weekend. The stone to the left belies Ingrave Street's intended name of Ingrave Road with a build date of, what appears to be, 1868.

Nothing stands in the way of a shot of the sky now. (PW)

The two head for a break at the seaside. Worthing Promenade, Marine Parade in Worthing, Sussex. The same section of the promenade was also seen in 'The Birthday Party'. (SD)

Some of the blocks placed between the promenade and the beach still exist. They have now been placed alongside the promenade flowerbeds. (SD)

Their coastal destination is reached. Marine Parade, Worthing with Western Place to the left. (SD)

Marine Parade, Worthing, with Western Place to the left. (SD)

Although Polly remarks that the boarding houses look lovely, Pete opts for the best hotel. Marine Parade in Worthing, with Western Place to the right. (SD)

They have already driven past the chosen hotel at this point. (SD)

At the finest hotel in town, the Concierge and a Porter hurry to assist the apparently wealthy new arrivals. The Beach Hotel on Marine Parade, Worthing. (SD)

The Beach Hotel was demolished in 2012 and the site is now occupied by The Beach Residences and Premier Inn. (SD)

While out walking on the beach, Polly asks if she can have some cockles. Worthing Pier stretches out to sea in the background, just as it does during 'Ashes and Sand','The Birthday Party', 'Cor Blimey', 'Dance With A Stranger', 'The Rise And Rise Of Michael Rimmer', 'Seamonsters' and 'Wish You Were Here'. (SD)

No cockles here now. (SD)

After a paddle in the sea, the two pick their way through the pier supports.

The amount of shingle under the pier now makes it difficult to line up the pier supports accurately. (SD)

Polly is not impressed when Pete takes her to a 'stuffy' upmarket restaurant. The Warnes Hotel, Marine Parade, Worthing. Lynda posed for a beach photographer on the entrance steps in 'Wish You Were Here'. (SD)

The Warnes Hotel burnt down in 1987 and was replaced by the Warnes luxury apartments. (SD)

Following a row in their hotel room, Pete leaves Polly and drives back to London. John Skinner identifies this as facing south on the A24, Horsham Road to the north of Findon in Sussex.

The A24 runs from Clapham Common to Worthing town centre. (SD)

A pair of Motorcycle Cops begin to follow the stolen E Type. The turn off for the former Muntham Court, the site of the then newly built Worthing Crematorium, on Horsham Road north of Findon recognised by John Skinner.

Muntham Court was demolished in 1961. Construction of the crematorium began in 1967 on the site of the tennis courts. (SD)

After his appearance in court, Pete is drive away in a Black Maria. Looking north-east on High Street in Brentford, Greater London towards a location seen in ‘Hell Drivers’ with a gas holder belonging to Brentford Gas Works in the distance and the Red Lion public house on the corner of Ealing Road to the left.

A very changed view taken by Antony Blair.

On the steps of the court, Polly stands with Sylvie and Rube. Adrian Grepnold found Chelsea Old Town Hall on Kings Road in Chelsea SW3, which also makes an appearance in 'Food for a Blush, 'Die Screaming Marianne' and '30 is a Dangerous Age Cynthia'.

Uh-oh there are two identical doors to the town hall but, worry not, this is the western one. Spot the dark chip in the plaster work to the right of the lamp. SJ.

The police van heads into the distance as the end music starts. Facing south-west on High Street, Brentford.

Antony Blair's shot suggests that the character of the street has been compromised by modern buildings as the tower block of the former Police Station in the distance and The Black Dog public house to the extreme right being the only original buildings still standing!