Value for Money

Date: 1955
Director: Ken Annakin
Production Company: Group Film Productions Limited

Stars: John Gregson, Donald Pleasence, Leslie Phillips, Joan Hickson, Derek Farr, Diana Dors
Location(s): London, Middlesex, Yorkshire

Region(s): , ,

Storyline:

A young man from Yorkshire inherits a sizeable legacy from his deceased father and decides to try the nightlife of London where he meets a girl performing in a theatre.

Additional Information:

Screen captures uploaded by Phil Wilkinson.

Jimmy Snow worked on special effects at both Pinewood and Denham Studios but a name that often remained uncredited, as with this film. An interesting Biography and her Memories of him has been written for us by his granddaughter Brigitte, all of which can be read here.

 

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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.

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The Town Band (Hanwell Silver Band) plays a rousing tune as they march along a wet and dreary Yorkshire street. Taylor Street, Batley in Yorkshire.

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The Bandmaster orders armbands to be put on. Taylor Street in Batley.

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  • 14 Oct 2016

The tempo changes and the Band continues in somber mood towards the premises of J. H. Broadbent & Son, rag merchants in fictional Barfield. Back Station Road looking towards Spurr Street.

Clive Dawson provides this modern shot showing changes in the distance.

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  • 14 Oct 2016

The Band approaches the warehouse as, inside, the funeral party gathers to see John Henry Broadbent off on his final journey. Station Road in Batley.

This comparison from Clive shows that the street's buildings have survived intact.

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  • 14 Oct 2016

After his father's funeral, Chayley Broadbent (John Gregson) promises to look after his inheritance. Batley Cemetery on Cemetery Road.

Only the distant chimney appears to have altered the view in this picture from Clive Dawson.

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Looking out of his parlour window, Mayor Higgins asks Chayley for a gift of land to enable Barfield's new Civic Centre to be built.

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Duke Popplewell (Derek Farr), Mayor Higgins (Frank Pettingell) and the rest of the party wait to return from their day out in London as Chayley says farewell to dancer Ruthine West (Diana Dors). A studio set included for sake of completeness.

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  • 14 Oct 2016

The Wives of the excursionists gather as the charabanc returns to Barfield early on Sunday morning. Market Place, Batley with the Library to the right.

Clive provides this modern view of the location.

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  • 14 Oct 2016

Facing Commercial Street from Market Place in Batley with Batley Central Methodist Church in the background.

Again, not much has changed in Clive Dawson's comparison.

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Husbands are dragged and chased home from the Market Square.

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Chayley sleeps in the back of the charabanc as the Market Square clears.

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Zion Street. The street ran alongside Batley Central Methodist Church but has now disappeared.

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  • 14 Oct 2016

Chayley's fiancée Ethel (Susan Stephen) looks into the charabanc. Market Place in Batley, Yorkshire.

Clive Dawson captured the Library in Batley's Market Place.

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  • 14 Oct 2016

Instead of attending church, Chayley returns to the warehouse. Station Road again.

The street appears tidier and brighter in Clive's up to date shot.

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Chayley and Ethel spend time together at the park. Wilton Park on Bradford Road in Batley. The quaint pavilion has been replaced with a not so quaint car park.

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Ethel realises that she is no match for Ruthine and the engagement is called off. Looking over Wilton Park's boating lake towards Bradford Road.

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After Chayley becomes a Councillor and gives his plot of land to the town in an attempt to win Ruthine, he heads for London to find the dancer and ask her to open the new Civic Centre. Market Place, then known as Market Square.

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The train bringing Ruthine from London arrives in Barfield.

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  • 14 Oct 2016

Chayley runs onto the platform to meet the train. Looking south at Batley railway station in Yorkshire.

Apart from the curve of the track and platforms, the scene looks quite different in this image from Clive.

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  • 14 Oct 2016

Outside the railway station on Upper Station Road. Simon Reed has been researching this film and has found out Diana Dors never went to Batley, consequence this either had to be a double or a set. Given the option it is not difficult to see that this is actually a set. (RL)

Clive Dawson provides a modern view of the real station entrance.

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The sight that greets Ruthine's eyes as she leaves the station is not one that she is used to.

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Chayley points out the last remaining green patch in the town.

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  • 14 Oct 2016

Ruthine is driven to Chayley's home. Facing north on Mill Lane, Batley.

Changes in the distance but a recognisable foreground in Clive Dawson's picture of the location.

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The car pulls up outside the dilapidated house. Mill Lane opposite the junction with Bromley Road.

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  • 14 Oct 2016

Mill Lane. The junction with Bromley Street can be seen on the left.

Clive's modern shot shows that every building still stands.

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A crowd gathers to see the glamorous Ruthine.

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Chayley appears from the house to escort Ruthine to the opening ceremony at the Civic Centre.

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Lord Dewsbury (Ernest Thesiger) and Ruthine are the guests of honour as the ribbon is cut at the Civic Centre. Looks very much like a studio set.

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Guests and the press line the new Centre's pool. Isleworth Swimming Baths on Twickenham Road, Isleworth, Middlesex.

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Ruthine appears and Barfield Times photographer, Robjohns (Leslie Phillips), is knocked into the water.

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Lord Dewsbury looks on as Ruthine starts to ascend the steps of the diving board. Isleworth Baths, Twickenham Road, Isleworth.

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The Band pauses to watch as a suitably clad Ruthine dives into the pool.

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  • 10 Oct 2013

Robjohns (Leslie Phillips), snaps the occasion. Isleworth Leisure Centre & Library on Twickenham Road, Isleworth.

Diana Dors in a very smart car outside an office block, somewhere. Photo from 'Movies from the Mansion: History of Pinewood Studios' by George Perry. Published by Pavilion Books 1976 (Revised 1986) Copyright Pavilion Books.

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The now engaged pair head to Upper Barfield after Chayley is coerced into buying a new house.

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The couple enter the garden of the house. 23 Fife Road in East Sheen SW14 advises Ian Hedgcock.

Antony Blair returned 68 years later to find that the house was no longer on the market.

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Chayley refuses to buy when he finds that Ruthine has already agreed to pay for the property out of his money.

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After a scandal ensues and realising that he really wants to be with Ethel, Councillor Chayley arrives at the Town Hall to meet with the Mayor. The steps of Batley Library. Further to the station entrance seen earlier, Simon's research for this film and finding out that Diana Dors never went to Batley, also raises the question as to whether this either a double or a set. Once more, given the option, it is not difficult to see that this is also a set. Subtle differences, but none the less evident. (RL)

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Duke Popplewell arrives at the Town Hall. Facing north in Market Place, Batley in Yorkshire.

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  • 14 Oct 2016

Chayley persuades Duke to date Ruthine as the two girls appear on the steps. A studio recreation of Batley Library in the Market Place as seen previously. (RL)

A comparison of the actual Library steps from Clive Dawson.