Director: William Beaudine

Release Date: March 1937

On 7 November 1936 the West Middlesex Gazette reported that ‘Two people were injured during the shooting of a new George Formby film at Courtfield-gardens, West Ealing, on Wednesday [4 November].’ One of the injured was a local policeman, named Henry Langley, while the other was ‘Paddy Cremalda of 22a Clifton-gardens, Paddington. Cremalda, dressed as a girl, was riding on the pillion of a motor cycle ridden by George Formby’s “double,” Thomas Richard Kenneth Booth, of 136, Brondesbury-villas, Kilburn. Apparently, the motor cycle collided with Langley when he was trying to wave away a car which was coming towards the scene of the filming. He received treatment of Ealing Hospital for abrasions. Cremalda was detained in hospital with concussion and injury to the right leg.’ On 21 November 1936 the same publication recorded that ‘Recently a unit from the [Ealing] studios visited Hayes to procure exterior shots on a housing estate for the film. At the end of the day’s shooting, Geroge Formby, Polly Ward, and Director William Beaudine “made their marks” in shallow boxes of moist cement as a memento of their visit. The slabs will occupy a prominent position on the housing estate.’ The Kinematograph Weekly added, 3 December 1936, that ‘The current week will see the completion of exteriors, in both day and night work, given reasonable weather conditions.’

Oakington Avenue, Hayes

Capture 1

George Formby and Polly Ward outside their home to be at 25 Oakington Avenue, Hayes.

Oakington Avenue, Hayes

Capture 2

The view from their house shows the southern, end, a cul-de-sac, of Oakington Avenue.

Scotts Road, Southall

Capture 3

However when Formby looks from his bedroom window he admires Southhall Gas Works when viewed from Scotts Road, Southall.

Oakington Avenue, Hayes

Capture 4

Formby heading home in Oakington Avenue with Rutland Road off to the right.

Pitshanger Lane, Ealing

Capture 5

Stand-ins for Formby and Ward head west along Pitshanger Lane, Ealing. The Express Dairy was at No. 96.

Pitshanger Lane, Ealing

Capture 6

As the camera pans to the left an impressive row of gas lamps, on the south side of Pitshanger Lane, come into frame.

Pitshanger Lane, Ealing

Capture 7

'Formby' heads east along Pitshanger Lane where the lorry is exiting Barnfield Road with Queen's Walk off to the right.

Pitshanger Lane, Ealing

Capture 8

'Formby' now heading west in Pitshanger Lane nearing the corner of Curzon Road with Harrow View Road in the distance off to the left.

Curzon Road, Ealing

Capture 9

The view north along Curzon Road from Pitshanger Lane.

Drayton Green, Ealing

Capture 10

Facing north in Drayton Green, Ealing, into the junction of Drayton Bridge Road, Lynton Avenue and Courtfield Gardens. In the foreground, to the right, is Sutherland Road.

Scotch Common, Ealing

Capture 11

Facing east along Scotch Common into Pitshanger Lane with Woodbury Park Road to the left and Kent Gardens to the right.

Scotch Common, Ealing

Capture 12

The view from Scotch Common into Kent Gardens.

Lynton Avenue, Ealing

Capture 13

Lynton Avenue viewed from Courtfield Gardens.

Drayton Bridge Road, Ealing

Capture 14

'Formby' heading west along Drayton Bridge Road from the junction at Lynton Avenue, Courtfield Gardens and Drayton Green.

Drayton Green, Ealing

Capture 15

Exiting Drayton Green with Drayton Bridge Road to the right.

Capture 16

Facing north on an apparently unnamed road, as 'Formby' approaches, with Ealing Studios behind the camera and Ealing Green to the right.

Ealing Studios

Capture 17

Ealing Studios standing in for a factory Formby had been earlier fired from.

Ealing Studios

Capture 18

Ward assisting Formby in the forecourt of Ealing Studios with Ealing Green in the distance.