Yellow Balloon, The

A crowd gathers as an Escapologist and his assistant prepare for a show.

Rebuilt. You'll have to trust me. SJ

From his bedroom window, Frankie Palmer (Andrew Ray) watches as the escapologist writhes about on the pavement. Facing Hammerfield House on Cale Street from St Luke's Street SW3.

The sun has caught Ray's window. SJ

Police Constable Chapman (Bernard Lee) arrives on the scene.

Similar to 001n. SJ

Frankie runs along the street opposite the apartment block where he lives. St. Luke's Street looking towards Cale Street and the Sutton Estate.

Far less of a market feel to the street now. SJ

Constable Chapman talks with Frankie after a coin is lost down a drain. St. Luke's Street in Chelsea.

I looked for the drain but parked cars were in the way. However at this point of the terrace there is a slight recess (by the door on the right) which is evident in both then and now. SJ

Frankie and his friend Ron Williams (Stephen Fenemore) run through the streets with a yellow balloon. Looking out onto Cale Street with St Luke's Street beyond.

The building in the middle clinches it. SJ

Facing the rear of Leverstock House which stands on Cale Street in London SW3. Located by Adrian Grepnold.

The low winter sun has distorted this rather. SJ

The camera pans with the boys as they run onto the main road. Looking through Marylands House onto Elystan Street and now replaced buildings on Petyward in SW3. Identification by Adrian Grepnold.

A building has filled the gap on the corner of Petyward and Elystan Street. SJ

The two boys run into a ruined building where Ronnie meets his death in a fall from the upper floor.

Len Turner (William Sylvester), a criminal who was hiding out in the ruins, tells Frankie that the police will arrest the boy so the two must stick together. Facing south on St Luke's Street in SW3.

I think the small row behind Sylvester's head match. SJ

The youngster is taken home by Len. This roadway off Cale Street passes between Gadebridge House and Hammerfield House.

Now, with Aldbury House in the background. SJ

On another morning, a milkman makes deliveries to the tenement block. The former Block H, now Hammerfield House, on Chelsea's Sutton Estate.

Actually this is Jenningsbury House in the shade and Oatwell House caught by the sun. SJ

After stealing money from his parents, Frankie runs out of Sunday School. St Luke's Hall on St Luke's Street.

Yes, the arch has gone and a new one flush with the pavement in memory, and one can still see the back of St. Luke's Church through it. SJ

As Frankie runs around the corner, Ted Palmer (Kenneth More) catches his son.

The new corner. SJ

After a small wad of notes is handed over, Frankie is taken home by his father. Facing north towards Cale Street on St Luke's Street with now demolished and replaced church buildings to the left.

Now. SJ

Len takes Frankie along to help him rob a public house. This looks very much like a set although there is a pub named The Bunch of Grapes on Brompton Road, not a million miles from one of the film's main locations.

Acting as a decoy, Frankie approaches the pub.

Frankie runs away when the robbery goes wrong and Len murders the publican. Cale Street, London SW3 looking towards the junction with Danube Street, identified by John Cobbett Maddy. (RL)

Mary (Hy Hazell) comes across Frankie hiding in a doorway. Cale Street looking towards the upper part of building on the corner of Danube Street, London SW3 located by John Cobbett Maddy. (RL)

Constable Patterson (Edward Evans) watches as Mary takes Frankie home with her. Cale Street close to the corner with Elystan Street looking west says John Cobbett Maddy. (RL)

Ted and Emily Palmer (Kathleen Ryan) set off to the police station just before a car brings Mary with their son. Facing Cale Street and St. Luke's Street.

Oh dear too bright but nice contrast with the dark then. Chiaroscuro, anyone? SJ

Leaving Frankie outside his home, Mary calls into the police station where she finds Ted and Emily.

Len finds Frankie on the landing outside his flat and takes him to Western Road Underground station which has been closed due to bomb damage.

Queensway Underground Station was certainly open today to enable me to take these adjoining properties. (RL)

Frankie manages to escape when he realises that Len intends to kill him. A studio set included for completeness.

The young boy runs through disused passageways as trains thunder through the station.

Len is heard approaching. Nick Cooper advises that this is Queensway station on the Central Line. The station was modernised in 2005/6.

This certainly appears to be the same spot, without lying on the floor to get the angle! (PW)

Frankie runs along the platform as a train passes through. Queensway station identified by Nick Cooper on his 'London Underground in Films & Television' website.

The train's Driver spots Frankie and then Len as he reaches the platform. White tiles on the walls and 'standard' stock passing through. Queensway station again, located by Nick Cooper.

Well it seems to match! (PW)

At the next station, the Train Driver makes his way into the signal cabin to report that he has seen a young boy at the closed station. Possibly Marble Arch station on the Central Line. The signal diagram seen in an earlier frame doesn't fit any other central area track layout.

The police are alerted and a patrol car is sent to the station.

Frankie climbs the emergency stairs as more police arrive on the scene. Looks like a real emergency stairway, the one at Aldwych has a vent shaft down the middle.

Police pour out of a train that has stopped specially at the disused station. The eastbound platform at Queensway on the Central Line.

As the police run directly from the train I presume it is the footway nearest to the Way Out. I presume Health & Safety dictated the filling in of the sides. (RL)

Len is caught by torchlight as police officers swarm into the station. Again, this looks very real.

The fugitive attempts to escape by crossing a beam in the lift shaft.

After Len falls to his death and Frankie is rescued, P.C. Chapman helps the youngster to the street where his parents are waiting. Outside Queensway station on Bayswater Road W2 identified by Nick Cooper.

More of a café culture these days. (RL)