Director: Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger
Release Date: November 1950
Writing in Ireland’s Saturday Night, 11 December 1948, Harris Deans noted that ‘A short cut to the Savage Club, in London, is Carlton Mews, a semi-blind alley off Trafalgar Square. Last week I found my passage blocked by a lot of eighteen century varlets grooming their horses, flirting with the kitchen wenches, and generally pretending to be having a high old time. They were supposed to be waiting to drive their masters home from the Grenville Ball. I hardly recognised David Niven, but as he was dressed as Sir Percy Blakeney in “The Elusive Pimpernel,” this was hardly to be wondered at. The stables of Carlton Mews are still there as they were two hundred or more years ago. I have have often wondered, strolling through, why such a valuable piece of land has not been built on. Now I know; waiting to be the background of a film.’ The Evening Telegraph (Dundee) added, 13 December, ‘Against the 18th century background of London’s Carlton Mews, off Trafalgar Square, David Niven spent a day and a night filming exteriors for “The Elusive Pimpernel.” It was the first time he had appeared in a London location scene.’
Capture 1
David Niven looking down on the festivities at Carlton Mews.
Capture 2
More of the festivities at the mews.
Capture 3
Another aspect of the mews at Niven looks on.
Capture 4
The view from Warwick House Street as Niven descends the horse ramp.
Capture 5
More of the mews where the view appears to be in the general direction of Waterloo Place.
Capture 6
The view from Warwick House Street into the mews where the gap between the buildings should show Carlton House Terrace, but the tallest structure remains a mystery.