Walk a Tightrope
Date: 1963
Director: Frank Nesbitt
Production Company: Jack Parsons-Neil McCallum Productions, Associated Producers (API)
Stars: Dan Duryea, Patricia Owens, Richard Leech, Neil McCallum, David Bauer
Location(s): London, Middlesex, Surrey
Region(s): London T-Z, South East R-Z
Storyline:
An American living in Great Britain claims he was hired by a woman to kill her husband whom she clearly loves, but all is not what it seems.
Additional Information:
Page compiled by Phil Wilkinson
Can you help:
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.
- Capture 1
- 10 Jan 2025

Nearing home, Maisie (Shirley Cameron) searches through her handbag for her keys. Lower Square in Isleworth, Middlesex with properties on Church Street to the left.

John Harwood (JH) took advantage of a cold sparkling day to fill in some comparisons. (SJ)
- Capture 2
- 10 Jan 2025

Opening the door, Maisie enters the building where she shares a room with her boyfriend Carl Lutcher. Facing number 11 Lower Square, now known as John Day House, which also appears in 'The Quiet Woman'.

John Day House confirmed by JH. (SJ)
- Capture 3
- 10 Jan 2025

Through their upstairs window, Carl looks across the street at the Hawk's Head Tavern as he gets ready to go out. The Northumberland Arms public house on Lower Square in Isleworth which closed in 1983. The premises can also be seen in 'Dublin Nightmare', 'Calculated Risk' and 'Jack the Ripper (1959)'.

JH found the pub's closure was followed by some conversions. (SJ)
- Capture 4
- 20 Jan 2025

Leaving the bedsit to do a little work, Carl Lutcher (Dan Duryea) makes his way along the street. Outside number 102 Chepstow Road in W2.

Paul Lincoln left his home to do a little photo shooting and captured 102 Chepstow Road as it is now, with it would appear some walls removed. (RL)
- Capture 5
- 20 Jan 2025

Obviously agitated, the ex-seaman strides up the road as the titles appear around him. The corner of Chepstow Road and St. Stephen's Gardens.

Even without the street name Paul was satisfied that he was in the correct location. (RL)
- Capture 6
- 20 Jan 2025

Westbourne Park Road, opposite the Westbourne Tavern in W2.

A fine comparative shot from Paul. (RL)
- Capture 7
- 20 Jan 2025

Westbourne Park Road with number 112 at the corner of Westbourne Park Villas in the left background.

The background remains much the same but the corner here has been taken 'up market' according to Paul Lincoln's shot. (RL)
- Capture 8
- 20 Jan 2025

The pavement outside St. Stephen's School on Westbourne Park Road W2.

Not so much the pavement in this shot from Paul, more building. (RL)
- Capture 9
- 20 Jan 2025

Westbourne Park Road with St. Stephen's School as the backdrop.

Paul wasn't able to find out the story regarding the railings here. (RL)
- Capture 10
- 20 Jan 2025

Carl quickens his pace when he sees a bus pass by on the main road. Chepstow Road W2 with Bott's Mews to the centre.

From ground level Paul Lincoln captured a much more telling shot of Bott's Mews. (RL)
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required

The bus pulls away just after Carl jumps onto the platform. Panning right on Chepstow Road where Giles Smith points out Elliots' shoe shop which survived until the mid- 1970s when it became London's first ever 7-11 store.
- Capture 12
- 20 Jan 2025

Carrying Carl towards his destination, the number 31 travels along Chepstow Road, crossing the junction with St. Stephen's Gardens.

Without a bus Paul was able to capture a clearer view of Chepstow Road. (RL)
- Capture 13
- 20 Jan 2025

Alighting from the bus, Carl turns a corner and comes to a cinema. Facing the Odeon cinema on Westbourne Grove from the junction of Chepstow Road, Chepstow Place and Pembridge Villas.

Significant building work and covering prevented Paul addressing Captures 15 and 16 which is why he had to be a little of angle for this shot. (RL)
- Capture 14
- 20 Jan 2025

Looking across the street at the cinema, Carl decides to wait. The corner of Pembridge Villas and Westbourne Grove in W2.

Despite the building work Paul was able to capture a satisfactory shot. (RL)
- Capture 15
- 07 Jul 2026

A nearby doorway provides suitable cover. The entrance to 133 Westbourne Grove.

Looking west. SJ
- Capture 16
- 07 Jul 2026

Coming out of the cinema with her Friends, Mrs. Sheppard glances across the road where she spots Carl smoking. Looking from outside the Odeon on Westbourne Grove towards the corner of Pembridge Villas.

The police box has now gone. SJ
- Capture 17
- 20 Jan 2025

Ellen Sheppard (Patricia Owens) tells Lucy (Sheila Robins) and Doris (Elizabeth Wallace) that she's not feeling well and leaves them to go for a drink without her. Beneath the canopy of the Odeon cinema at 120 Westbourne Grove in W2.

Paul didn't find anyone feeling unwell whilst he was there. (RL)
- Capture 18
- 18 Jan 2025

Mrs. Sheppard makes her way from the cinema. Looking along Hillgate Street towards Notting Hill Gate from the corner of Kensington Place in W8 recognised by Alastair Jones. This was also identified by Dave W, prompting Paul Lincoln to make an early visit and capture the location now. (RL)

Paul's clear view of Hillgate Street. (RL)
- Capture 19
- 18 Jan 2025

After fitting a silencer to his handgun, Carl follows. Alastair Jones identifies this as Hillgate Street with the Johnson's Arms, now The Hillgate, public house at the junction of Hillgate Place to the top left. This was also identified by Dave W, prompting Paul Lincoln to make an early visit and capture the location now. (RL)

Paul's further view of Hillgate Street. (RL)
- Capture 20
- 18 Jan 2025

Glancing behind her, the nervous woman crosses the street. Kensington Place in W8 with number 40 to the left, found with the assistance of Alastair Jones. Another of Dave W's identified locations covered by Paul Lincoln. (RL)

The railings gone but a clear view of Kensington Place taken by Paul Lincoln.
- Capture 21
- 16 Jan 2025

Ellen turns a corner. The corner of Shepherd's Place and Upper Brook Street in W1.

Unfortunately for Paul Lincoln additional street furniture took center stage of his shot. (RL)
- Capture 22
- 16 Jan 2025

Catching up, Carl pauses to light another cigarette as he watches Ellen from the corner. Looking north along Shepherd's Place towards Lees Place.

Paul was able to enjoy Shepherd's Place without hindrance. (RL)
- Capture 23
- 16 Jan 2025

Ellen stops outside a restaurant where she has arranged to meet someone. Shepherd's Place in Mayfair.

It would appear Paul that perhaps the café culture here has passed. (RL)
- Capture 24
- 'Now' required

In a doorway across the street, Doug Randle (Richard Leech) stops his friend Jason Sheppard (Terence Cooper) when he notices Ellen.
- Capture 25
- 16 Jan 2025

Ellen enters the restaurant, followed by her husband and Doug. Shepherd's Place with Upper Brook Street in the distance.

The low winter sunshine dictates where Paul has to stand to achieve a comparison shot. (RL)
- Capture 26
- 16 Jan 2025

Jason helps his wife from the back entrance of the restaurant after she passes out when seeing him. Outside 21 Lees Place W1.

Yes, that is definitely No 21 Paul, thank you. (RL)
- Capture 27
- 16 Jan 2025

The three get into a taxi for the journey home. Lees Place in Mayfair.

Paul was relieved to see that there was no waiting taxi for him to avoid. (RL)
- Capture 28
- 16 Jan 2025

Witnessing events, Carl comes out of hiding when the cab departs. Facing number 20 Lees Place.

A more colourful 20 Lees Place captured by Paul Lincoln. (RL)
- Capture 29
- 'Now' required

Heading for 110 Strand-on-the-Green in Chiswick, the taxi crosses the River Thames by Kew Bridge. Looking towards Strand-on-the-Green from Kew Bridge as it takes Kew Road south from W4 into Surrey.
- Capture 30
- 15 Jul 2026

The cab turns a corner before coming to a stand. Thames Road in W4 with the corner of Riverview Grove on the extreme right.

John Harwood took a near perfect matching shot of the junction.
- Capture 31
- 18 Jan 2025

Doug and Jason help Ellen towards the house. Thames Road at the corner of Strand-on-the-Green with Kew Railway Bridge crossing the River Thames in the left background.

The same corner on the same road captured by Antony Blair.
- Capture 32
- 15 Jul 2026

The three make their way along Strand-on-the-Green in Chiswick.

John Harwood returned to the corner where additions and alterations are quite apparent.
- Capture 33
- 18 Jan 2025

A Man working on his boat waves at his neighbours as they approach the house. Looking onto the shore of the Thames from Strand-on-the-Green.

JH also visited on what's appears to be the same day at the same time, given the tide, as Antony but his were uploaded first. But here's a gap to fill. And a local passerby could identify the owner of the boat seen in the original! (SJ)
- Capture 34
- 18 Jan 2025

Jason opens the front door. Strand Green House on Strand-on-the-Green.

There's remarkably little change in Antony Blair's view from the foreshore.
- Capture 35
- 18 Jan 2025

When he hears gunshots from inside the Sheppard's house, the Man leaves the work on his boat to investigate. The shore below Strand-on-the-Green in Chiswick W4.

62 years later, Antony Blair returned to take this shot.
- Capture 36
- 'Now' required

Angry that he wasn't paid for the job he's done, Carl kicks rubbish from his path as he walks home. Lower Square in Isleworth with number 11 to the left.
- Capture 37
- 'Now' required

As Inspector MacMitchell (Trevor Reid) tries to unravel the mystery of why Jason was murdered, Doug comforts Ellen after she agrees to meets Carl at the Hawk's Head Tavern.
- Capture 38
- 10 Jan 2025

Ellen pays the Cabbie as she arrives for a rendezvous. Outside the Northumberland Arms on Lower Square in Isleworth.

JH captured the south façade of Northumberland House. (SJ)
- Capture 39
- 'Now' required

Outside a snack bar, Ellen's ex-husband Ed (David Bauer) reads a newspaper report about Carl's arrest for Jason's murder.
- Capture 40
- 10 Jan 2025

As the case is heard by a Magistrate, Carl tells the court about a fight he had with two Guys when they set about him outside a pub. Beside the London Apprentice public house on Church Street in Isleworth, Middlesex with the River Thames to the left.

JH looks south with the western branch of The Thames negotiating Isleworth Ait on the left. (SJ)
- Capture 41
- 10 Jan 2025

After knocking out the first Attacker, Carl pursues the other. Looking towards Church Street with the slipway to the Thames stretching right from the top centre.

JH was going to use his drone for this shot but the Canada geese, some of which seen left, had teemed up with ducks and swans for other ideas. (SJ)
- Capture 42
- 'Now' required

Carl catches up with his Assailant. The bottom of the slipway below Church Street in Isleworth.
- Capture 43
- 10 Jan 2025

As he draws his knife, Carl looks up. On the slipway below Church Street, Isleworth with the London Apprentice in the right background. The pub and the area around feature in many productions including 'White Cargo', 'Interlude', 'Separation', 'Her Private Hell' and 'Das Verrätertor'.

Yes, JH did pop into the Apprentice, whose staff were fascinated by his activities. (SJ)
- Capture 44
- 10 Jan 2025

Inside a call box on the street above, Carl sees a Woman watching. The prop telephone kiosk was erected on Church Street where All Saints church stands to the left.

JH worked with the 1970 rebuild. (SJ)
- Capture 45
- 10 Jan 2025

A couple of days later, Carl leaves the pub and notices the same Woman looking at him from the back of a taxi. The London Apprentice on Church Street.

JH found alterations. (SJ)
- Capture 46
- 10 Jan 2025

Realising that she's been spotted, the Woman tells the Cabbie to drive off. Church Street in Isleworth with number 59 to the centre.

JH on the scene. (SJ)
- Capture 47
- 10 Jan 2025

The very next day, Carl sees the Woman getting into a cab outside the pub. Outside numbers 59 and 61 Church Street with All Saints church in the right distance.

The view east from JH with the new version of the church. The restored original tower is out of shot further inland. (SJ)
- Capture 48
- 10 Jan 2025

Thinking that the Woman had been asking questions about him, Carl runs towards the taxi as it pulls away. The London Apprentice on Church Street in Isleworth, Middlesex.

And JH departs from the Apprentice, leaving the staff pouring over its appearances on RS. (SJ)
- Capture 49
- 'Now' required

Outside the Magistrates Court, Doug shields Ellen from Reporters after Carl is remanded before being sent for trial.
- Capture 50
- 'Now' required

Doug calls a cab while pushing a Journalist away.
- Capture 51
- 'Now' required

Leaving the court suspicious that Jason wasn't the intended victim, Ed watches the taxi drive off.
- Capture 52
- 'Now' required

While Ellen and Doug talk inside, a hand pushes open the door to the Sheppard's house. Strand Green House on Strand-on-the-Green W4.

