The Background to our reappraisal of ‘It Happened Here’

Our contributor friend Denis Hoare wrote to us in response to a Facebook enquiry from Thomas Glide:

“We lived on Wrotham Road (London, NW1), 1950’s. These are photos taken by my father (also Thomas Glide) when they shot a film. The film included traction engines and riots. Someone suggested it was “The Ladykillers”? any more ideas, I never thought of looking for the film before.”

Perhaps a recovery moment outside 31 Wrotham Road, London NW1 with houses in Elm Road in the background.

Riot scene outside 31 Wrotham Road, London NW1 with houses in Elm Road in the background.

Circa 66 to 76 Wrotham Road, London NW1 on the right.

Foden steam lorry 'Perseverance' EU 3764 with 'T. Redburn' livery. — Foden steam lorry ‘Perseverance’ EU 3764 with ‘T. Redburn’ livery.

Whilst honoured that Denis should think we might have the answer to all questions, we had to admit that the action shots nor the appearance of the steam lorry connected with any film that we were aware of. However, a Google Search for ‘Perseverance’ Regn: EU 3764 revealed that it was a vehicle of some fame in the world of steam but no mention of its film appearance was evident although warranting a double page spread in ‘Old Glory’ Magazine (November 2013). Accordingly, we wrote to Colin Tyson at the Magazine who very kindly and generously offered to include our request for current ownership and/or information in their next edition, it being a well-known engine amongst their readership.

This soon brought us a helpful and informative response from Peter Richardson, the current owner who has been involved with Perseverance since the late 1950’s.

Peter told us:

“The Foden was owned at the time by the late Tom Redburn and the film was “It Happened Here”, a rather grim story of fascism and Oswald Mosley. The film was produced by Kevin Brownlow for Rath Films/Long Distance Films and the scenes with the Foden were filmed in and around Camden Town in about 1961 or 1962. I had freshly repainted the smokebox and chimney of the Foden to smarten it up only to be told by the film makers that it looked too clean! The attached photo – intended to depict a street-corner meeting in 1936 – was taken at the time, I think by Kevin Brownlow.”

A still from 'Mirror on the World', Wrotham Road, London NW1 with Foden steam lorry 'Perseverance' in the background right. — A still from ‘Mirror on the World’, Wrotham Road, London NW1 with Foden steam lorry ‘Perseverance’ in the background right.

That information, of course, told us exactly what we all wanted to know. The Film was, in fact, already on our Site, and had been for many years, but none of the content within the various photographs appeared in any capture. A copy of the film had to be obtained, particularly as it had only recently been issued in Dual Format and with a number of Special Features.

On viewing the film it was apparent that the events were actually part of a Newsreel film, Mirror on the World, contained within the film itself and that the only footage containing Perseverance was not much more than the still photograph above that Peter Richardson provided. However, the Newsreel that appears in the film is actually an abridged version of a longer feature (10:11) that is provided in full as one of the Special Features. Within that, is further footage of Perseverance and the surrounding ‘Black Shirt’ rally. Tom Glide has since advised that filming would have taken place in Wrotham Road before late 1962 when he and the family moved away.

We acknowledge with grateful thanks all those that have been so supportive and generous in providing help, information and photographs to complete this story.