Anthony McKay

Can anyone identify which MGM Borehamwood production circa 1964 this set was built for?

It is used in the 'DANGER MAN' episode 'Fair Exchange' as an East Berlin checkpoint. From the look of the flintwork buildings in the rear it, could be a Plantaginate castle set redressed.

Hackett

It may have been built for or redressed as the French prison Elke Sommers keeps being released from in Blake Edwards "SHOT IN THE DARK" 1964.

Anthony McKay

Shot in the Dark was shown here last week and the only backlot scenes were of the 'Rupert Square'/'Hobb's Lane'/'Berlin Wall from Casino Royale' set.

So no sign at all of the above.

This was followed this week by "Inspector Clouseau' - the first time I had ever seen it. What a shambles - did they ever finish the script or shooting the film before it was released!

Davoo

Could it be from either 'Operation Crossbow' or '633 Squadron' both made there around that time?

ddock54

Looks like the set could have been constructed next to the Ivanhoe castle on the area known as The Mound...

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Anthony McKay

The 'mound', which still exists as an area of open space surrounded by houses, was converted from Ivanhoe's Castle to Frence chateau for the Dirty Dozen. Ivanhoe's Castle was more of a 'hollywood' castle with curved walls and a moat. The castle above looks more realistic - it could be a representation of The Tower of London with Traitor's Gate. As it does not feature in any other of the MGM footage so I'm assuming it was a short-lived construction. You can see that the wall is made up of repeated vacuuum moulded plastic sheets rather than hand-crafted plaster.

ddock54

I think the actual spot for Ivanhoes castle was converted into Polanski,s Dance of the Vampire castle with the Dity Dozen chateau next to it and backing onto the prisoner Harmony set.The above set I agree looks less permanent and could have been down the Thrift Farm area.I think some of the Inn of Sixth Happiness sets were still on the lot in 63/64,they could have been redressed for this.After examining my own collection of studio stills I can not be certain...Its good to see the mound is still in place ,god knows what treasure is underneath

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Anthony McKay

Yes - after a quick check, I agree Ivanhoe's Castle is on the Thrift Farm side of 'The Mound'. There is quite a slope from the access road to the 'moat'. If 'the mound' is artificial it could be made of the debris produced when digging the moat. If would not be surprised there is still a dip in the ground around Hancock Close.

ddock54

I think i have posted this before ,but the houses built on the Shepperton backlot are forever digging up bits of the Oliver set when gardening ,I wonder if this is the case on the old MGM backlot site..wheres my metal detector and shovel....

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Anthony McKay

I'f you start digging make sure you watch out for the shaft that leads to magnetic core of the Earth!

ddock54

Battle Beneath the Earth ,nice shot of the mgm clocktower in this film....

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Anthony McKay

I was thinking 'Invasion Earth 2150' at Shepperton, the one with the under-exposed robotic monsters.

ddock54

Ooooh ,i was thinking Burt Kwock let loose on the Prisoner Fall out sets at MGM british in Battle Beneath the Earth ,or was McGoohan let loose on the BBTE sets?

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mikeluxy

Ive often wondered...Is the old MGM Backlot used in the Morecambe and Wise film "The Magnificent Two"....Used as a Village in a South American Banana Republic...Or was that Villa at Pinewood...?

Anthony McKay

I've got quite a few shots of the MGM and Shepperton backlot buildings on the new version of my Avnegerland site - unfortunately I'm still waiting for FTP access to post up the new material - if you can take as screen grab of the village in question I should be able to identify it.