Gideon's Day (1958)

[Christopher Matheson]

Can anyone identify this theatre which was presumably in London?

[Wee Sonny MacGregor]

I reckon that's the Palace Theatre at Watford.

That was one hell of a busy day for Gideon!

[Christopher Matheson]

Many thanks to Wee Sonny. There's a cut immediately after this view of the Palace Theatre, Watford, when Andrew Ray enters a theatre on a street with red London buses and trolleybuses which is obviously not Watford. I was planning on attaching a grab of that view here but that doesn't appear to be an option so I'll post it separately.

[Christopher Matheson]

Here's Andrew Ray entering the theatre immediately after the shot of the Palace Theatre, Watford. There are buses and trolleybuses in the background and it has a north London feel to it. Holloway Road? Or.....?

[Mark O]

It has a feel of Holloway road about it but I have doubts as I don't see any Trolleybus poles on the bus roofs, in the extreme left of the pic there's an RT in London country livery, RT's were used on some Green line services but were a rarity, though I don't recall any Green line services along Holloway road itself, the 715 from Hertford crossing it at the junction by the former Jones bros store, so it could be an ordinary London country bus service where red once met green, doesn't have a look of Watford to me either, maybe Croydon area.

[tavistock]

It is Holloway Road, confirmed here The Marlborough Theatre, 383, Holloway Road, Islington. did find it without that link!

[Christopher Matheson]

Thank you Tavistock.

[Christopher Matheson]

Does anyone know these flats or the building across the road?

[Mark O]

They look very much like a block of flats on the left side of Park road on the left side of Regent's park as it heads towards Baker street, by the junction with Allsop place.

[Mark O]

It is Holloway Road, confirmed here The Marlborough Theatre, 383, Holloway Road, Islington. did find it without that link!

So it was Holloway road after all, must have been not long after the last trolleybuses travelled on it then, I'm still wondering why the green RT was there, but I won't lose sleep over it.

[tavistock]

Picture attached, taken today from the same position outside what was the theatre on Holloway Road. Strangely the curved pavement hasn't altered from the early 20th century when the theatre was built.

[Rick C]

Now we know the exact location, our partner film site "Cinema Treasures" has a profile on the Marlborough Theatre here:-

Cinema Treasures | Marlborough Picture Theatre with details of the Gideon's Day filming there!

However, with reference to the archive section of London Transport, www.ltmcollections.org photograph here below reproduced for educational purposes not only gives a "heyday" depiction of the Marlborough but goes some way to explaining the tram/trolleybus query.
Other photographs on ltm in the Islington section taken in war-time state that for various parts of Holloway Road both a tram and trolleybus operation existed.

[mariocki]

Does anyone know these flats or the building across the road?

That's the Melia White House Hotel, Osnaburgh Terrace, NW1

[Christopher Matheson]

I would like to say thanks to all who got involved with these 'Gideon's Day' questions. I would also like to add that there is a trolleybus pole to the right of the policeman's helmet in the Holloway Road grab I sent in. I would also like to add that the London trolleybus conversion programme did not begin until 1959. With all that in mind I wonder if anyone recognizes this 'Gideon's Day' grab which appears to contain a trolleybus turning circle?

[tavistock]

Mark O. The Green Line route 714 ran up the Holloway Road.

[Mark O]

Mark O. The Green Line route 714 ran up the Holloway Road.

That was the one the one that ran from Luton to Dorking via Kings Cross wasn't it, I forgot about that route!........so that's what the green RT was then.

Keep on with the locations, I enjoy the 'yesteryear' pics, as well as trying to ascertain where it is!

[Mark O]

I would like to say thanks to all who got involved with these 'Gideon's Day' questions. I would also like to add that there is a trolleybus pole to the right of the policeman's helmet in the Holloway Road grab I sent in. I would also like to add that the London trolleybus conversion programme did not begin until 1959. With all that in mind I wonder if anyone recognizes this 'Gideon's Day' grab which appears to contain a trolleybus turning circle?

There was a similar looking trolleybus turning area in Woodford Green, I don't think it's the Highgate village one.

[bobsterkent]

Mark O. The Green Line route 714 ran up the Holloway Road.

the 714 was always operated by RF (single deck) vehicles, so i guess if it was on service then it was a special or it could have been a private hire, or even taking a bus to overhaul at Aldenham - sorry if this has got a bit 'bussy' to all the others!

[Mark O]

the 714 was always operated by RF (single deck) vehicles, so i guess if it was on service then it was a special or it could have been a private hire, or even taking a bus to overhaul at Aldenham - sorry if this has got a bit 'bussy' to all the others!

On the contrary Bobster, buses and coaches in location queries can be an important pointer, yes, you're right, in those pre-M25 days the green RT could have been on it's way from the eastern or southern London Country areas for an overhaul.

[Christopher Matheson]

I too am sorry that this thread seems to be getting 'bussy' when its supposed to be about locations, and this is coming from someone who was a London Transport bus spotter and visited every red and green bus garage many years ago. I like bus talk but I don't think it belongs in a 'Gideon's Day' location thread. Perhaps a new thread is needed 'London Transport in Films.'