Director: Richard Loncraine
Release Date: March 1983
In Halfway to Hollywood: Diaries 1980-1988 Michael Palin recalls the shooting of the this film beginning on March 29th [1982] noting that ‘the conversion of the National Liberal Club’s billiard roon into a gymnasium has been stunningly successful.’ Two days later, March 31st, he recalls filming at ‘Culcross Buildings behind King’s Cross and St. Pancras.’ After lunch he adds that the sun came out ‘which makes the roof of the tenement buildings a much more agreeable place to be’. The following day, in the nearby Cheney Road, filming ended ‘with a beautiful street shot with a background of the St. Pancras gas holders silhouetted against a rosy dusk sky’. On April 5th Palin was on location in Wapping recalling that this was Maggie Smith’s first day while she was uncomplaining despite ‘standing in a foot of muddy Thames water’. Later Palin went ‘on to the Mission – in Lant Street, Southwark’ but these scenes may have only been interiors. April 15th was ‘Our first day at the Ezra Street location’ where the filmmakers had spent ‘something like £100,000’ improving the look of the street by building mock houses. On April 24th he recalls ‘we’re shooting in Finsbury Circus. Ninety extras and a dozen vehicles, including two horse-drawn buses.’ The final London locations were filmed on May 28th in Tite Street when ‘shooting in a wonderfully cluttered old studio’ where Trevor Howard is having his portrait made.
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The view from Finsbury Circus into Circus Place with London Wall in the distance. Salisbury House is standing in for 'The Church and University Club.'
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Michael Palin in Circus Place with Finsbury Circus to the right and Salisbury House behind him.
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The view from Circus Place into London Wall as Maggie Smith's coach exits to the left.
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As Palin enters the lobby of 'The Church and University Club' the location switches to the National Liberal Club, Whitehall Place.
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Palin in the billiard room at the National Liberal Club.
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Denholm Elliott gestures to Palin in the National Liberal Club.
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Trevor Howard poses for his portrait in a Tite Street studio with the Royal Hospital Chelsea visible through the window.
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The view northwest along Ezra Street, Bethnal Green. Columbia Road is behind the camera.
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Facing east along Ezra Street. Ravenscroft Street is behind the camera.
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Palin leaving his mission on the northside of Ezra Street as he heads in the direction of Ravenscroft Street.
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Palin in Ravenscroft Street with Ezra Street to the right.
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Ezra Street viewed from Ravenscroft Street.
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Having just crossed Shipton Street Palin steps into Horatio Street. Behind him is a third branch of Ezra Street.
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Palin stepping out of Wellers Court into Cheney Road, King's Cross.
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Palin heading north in Cheney Road.
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Unidentified.
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Unidentified.
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Unidentified.
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Unidentified.
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Palin and Elliott on the roof of Culcross Buildings which stood on the southside of Battle Bridge Road, King's Cross.
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As Palin and Elliott walk on the roof of Culcross Buildings the spire on the front of St. Pancras Station comes into view.
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Palin working outside his mission on the northside of Ezra Street.
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As Palin's mission is demolished the Columbia Primary School, on the southside of Ezra Street, comes into view.
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After losing his mission Palin moves to King Henry's Wharf, Wapping High Street.
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Palin and his mission boys work on the mud flats while Smith, to the right, attempts to join them. The two figures are walking on Wapping Pier adjacent to King Henry's Wharf.