Waterfront
Date: 1950
Director: Michael Anderson
Production Company: Paul Soskin Productions
Stars: Robert Newton, Kathleen Harrison, Avis Scott, Susan Shaw, Richard Burton, Robin Netscher, Kenneth Griffith
Location(s): Cheshire, Lancashire
Region(s): North
Storyline:
A good-for-nothing sailor walks out on his young family leaving them to fend for themselves in the Liverpool slums. They make a go of their lives and the eldest daughter, now a woman, is none too pleased at her father’s attempted return.
Additional Information:
Screen captures 006, 009, 010, 011 and 014 and research by John Owens. Other screen captures and research by Phil Wilkinson.
Also known as ‘Waterfront Women’ (US title)
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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.
- Capture 1
- 'Now' required
During the titles, an establishing shot of Liverpool's docklands is seen with an overhead railway train running between Langton Dock and Alexandra Dock stations. Regent Road runs alongside the railway.
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
The run down street where the McCabe family live. This is St Martin's Cottages on Silvester Street in Liverpool 5, Lancashire with Vauxhall Road crossing the top of the image.
- Capture 3
- 'Now' required
Inside, a young Nora looks at a picture of her drunken father who has abandoned his family for the sea. St Martin's Cottages were demolished in 1977.
- Capture 4
- 31 Jan 2021
Peter McCabe visits his daughter Nora (Avis Scott) at school to tell her that he has another job aboard ship and would be leaving straight away. Martin Owens has, after over 10 years, finally resolved this one for us. This was and remains a playing area on the Birkenhead Road between New Street and Wheatlands Lane, Wallasey, then in Cheshire. Martin not only lives very nearby but Richard Burton was his grandfathers cousin and visited his grandparents who lived in the next street . The playing area is 400 meters from the Wallasey ferry terminal, Richard Burton having done shots at the Liverpool side where the ferry docks. (RL)
Martin provides this shot of the same location now, very little has changed, except that the gate posts have been taken away in favour of a row of fencing. (RL)
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
Nora runs out to tell her friends when her mother gives birth to a baby boy. St Martin's Cottages on Silvester Street in the Vauxhall area of the city. On the extreme right can be seen the tower of St Sylvester Roman Catholic Church, which still stands.
- Capture 6
- 14 Jun 2010
Ben Satterthwaite (Richard Burton) catches up with an older Nora McCabe (Avis Scott). The walkway to the ferry terminal at Liverpool Pier Head with the Royal Liver building in the background. This is possibly a studio shot as the Royal Liver Building appears to be a painting.
But John Owens found and photographed the intended location. The wall has been rebuilt and the structure with the railway posters has gone - but the Liver Building clearly in the background.
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
The depression sets in and, along with thousands of others, Ben loses his position as third engineer aboard a ship.
- Capture 8
- 'Now' required
Ben tells Nora that he has heard of a diverted ship arriving and that he will ask if there is any work on board. This appears to be the Landing Stage at Pier Head in Liverpool 1.
- Capture 9
- 14 Jun 2010
Connie McCabe (Susan Shaw) leaves work whilst Maurice Bruno waits in his car. Between the Owen Owen and G H Lee department stores on Houghton Lane, Liverpool.
Some changes - the side window is gone but recognisably the same background. John Owens.
- Capture 10
- 14 Jun 2010
Maurice Bruno (Kenneth Griffith) picks up Connie. In front of the side entrance to the George Henry Lee department store in Houghton Street, Liverpool 1.
The building is now occupied by the Rapid Hardware store - but you can see where the GH Lee signs were attached to the wall. John Owens.
- Capture 11
- 14 Jun 2010
The couple drive away. This is the side of the Owen Owen department store in Houghton Street.
The former Owen Owen department store is now a Tesco Metro and the façade has changed somewhat. John Owens.
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required
An establishing shot taken from the Liverpool Overhead Railway after the passage of a train. Looking along Strand Road in Bootle with the Harland & Wolff marine workshop and foundry in the centre distance.
- Capture 13
- 15 Mar 2014
As trams pass along the street, Mrs McCabe (Kathleen Harrison) makes her way to the bridewell (police station) to ask to see her husband. Derby Road, Liverpool L20.
The Derby Road Bridewell whilst still open. Image copyright unknown.
- Capture 14
- 14 Jun 2010
Mrs McCabe enters the Derby Road Bridewell. The junction of Derby Road and Esk Street.
The Derby Road Bridewell closed in 1977 and has since been demolished. However much of the outer wall remains although the entrance door has gone. John Owens.
- Capture 15
- 'Now' required
In town, Maurice waits for Connie.
- Capture 16
- 'Now' required
Mrs McCabe visits her husband in jail and introduces him to the son that he’s never seen. Walton Gaol on Hornby Road, Liverpool 9. The gatehouse was demolished in the mid-1970s.
- Capture 17
- 'Now' required
After Ben and Nora are married, the couple say their farewells when the engineer manages to find work on a ship. Looking at the curve of the overhead railway, this looks like the area between Regent Road and Alexandra Branch Dock No 3.