Automotivehistorian

My favourite shot is Brentford High Street, with the 607?? trolleybus, near the North Thames Gasworks. I remember it well from a few years later when mum took us to South Ealing to see her aunts from Feltham, and we changed buses to catch the 65 to South Ealing station. Until say 1965 the aunties had gas lighting! A shot of there house that they rented in Alacross Road opposite the Conningsby off-licence is in the Carry on Constable with a still on the Carry On website. The gas works was bounded by a huge, high brick wall and was of course closed when North Se Gas came in. Today the location is, from a brief drive through there last year, not recognisable.

I am hoping that my selection of former COMMERCIAL MOTOR magazine photos on 'HELL DRIVERS' tippers will be in ROADSCENE magazine this summer now, having been bumped up the schedule. If I ever found a source of stills from the film I might even have a go in the future at publishing them but to be honest there is so much information around now about the locations a small book could be written!

Cooper S

I'm guessing from your username that you're probably a fan of The Persuaders !

It's great watching the old ITC shows to see how much they used the studio buildings and backlot sets.

I get into Pinewood every so often - the last time was to visit some friends working on Casino Royale - and drive past the gates fairly regularly as I live just down the road, but I wondered what people at the studio make of the new entrance ? Can't help thinking it's a bit over the top!

'I've only got one spare'

'Well, borrow one !'

dannywilde

You're certainly correct. The Persuaders! is probably my favourite series of all time (and goodness knows I've probably spent far too much time watching it!). This series in particular seemed to make the most use out of the studio buildings and grounds- more so than any series I can remember, and being able to find so many of them has been terrific.

As far as the new entrance is concerned, personally I think its a bit OTT, although it has lessened the queuing getting into the studio, and it makes it much easier for lorries to turn right when exiting- getting an eighteen-wheeled flatbed from the tiny road leading up to the timekeepers onto Pinewood Road was positively frightening if you happened to be the poor bugger who was trying to turn left into it at the time! The roundabout has made it much easier. So all in all, a bit mixed really. I guess I just loved walking in past the entrance to the military camp in 'League Of Gentlemen' and 'Guns at Batasi' and the government research facility in 'Carry On Spying' every day!

Not that 90% of the people who work here would give a toss, or even have a clue what I was talking about, which is a pity.

Ah well...

smudge

This is so true. To them it's just their daily grind to work and most of them probably fill out their lottery tickets, just like us, dreaming of escape... Whereas we on the other hand would be quite happy there, I'm sure.

It's the same the world over. A few years ago I had the chance of working briefly at Portmeirion Pottery and the MDs (etc.) all seemed to see going to Portmeirion Village as a bit of a chore. Now I think it is one of the greatest places on the planet (thanks to discovering it after Mr. Mcgoohan, of course.) but to them it was just another round of sales conferences...

By the way Danny - have you seen that your alter-ego, Mr. Tony Curtis, is appearing at Autographica in Birmingham in about two weeks time...?

Smudge

Welcome to my house. Enter freely, and of your own will...

PaulPlowman

Although I don't believe this happens so much these days, I still notice bits of Pinewood appearing in movies. I saw Spies Like Us the other day and noticed the outside of the 007 Stage, which also crops up in the dreadful recent Thunderbirds movie.

Tim Burton's Batman used lots of bits of studio: The timber yard as the entrance to Axis Chemicals, the Ballroom/Restaurant for a press conference scene, and the Pinewood boardroom for both Harvey Dent's office, and a room within Wayne Manor!

<- Insert witty comment here ->
ukonscreen.com

dannywilde

Ta for the heads up on that... Ill have to look in to it. I wondered if he's mellowed at all since 'The Persuaders'- hearing what was said about him on the documentary made for the DVD, doesn't sound like the kind of actor who'd be particularly approachable, unlike some.

When I was a kid, I had the privilege of meeting Diana Rigg whilst she was filming 'The Mrs. Bradley Mysteries' in 1998, and I'll always remember how great she was, even making the time to sit and play cards with me in between scenes (although I was 11 at the time, so it would only have been Snap!).

Automotivehistorian

I am putting together a selection of 15 1950s Tipper photos for ROADSCENE magazine in a few weeks' time. Would anyone like to peruse some and make comments about the loading / discharging procedures etc. please?

smudge

At £30 an autograph, you can bet he'll be approachable this time!

Can I ask what your connection was with the MRS BRADLEY MYSTERIES, as you were SO lucky to play snap with DR ?

Smudge

Welcome to my house. Enter freely, and of your own will...

Cooper S

Sorry to have slightly hi-jacked this topic - may be some of these recent posts should be diverted on to a more general Persuaders! thread ?

Also just thought I'd take the opportunity to plug Tony MacKay's Avengerland site - lots more Persuaders! locations there.

'I've only got one spare'

'Well, borrow one !'

Steve Crook

We've seen diversions that are much worse

Where is the Avengerland site? A URL is worth a thousand words

Steve

mariocki

Here you go:

content

You crazy idiots - my name's McGill!

pitchfork

Automotivehistorian, is Roadscene magazine available in newsagents? I have never seen it on sale in our area which is a rural backwater!! I used to get the mag on subscription many years ago but would like to get the issue with the Tipper photographs.

Automotivehistorian

Hi PF! WH Smith's should have plenty of copies although they are not everywhere! If you ask your newsagent then they can get you a copy..it's distributed through Ian Allan I think BUTTTTT you can buy copies online or contact my colleague
peter@transpenninepublishing.co.uk
and ask for a copy or better still a subscription! It's now a monthly magazine.

I have to say that myself and my colleagues are alwasy interested in vehicles in films and in fact a friend used to organise the HCVS (Historic Commercial Vehicle Society) list of available commercials for films etc.

Now does anyone know of a film that was apparently made at the same time more or less as HD featuring an 8-wheeler Leyland? It sounds like a film about a cross-country lorry driver.

pitchfork

IIf the films opening scenes fratured a BMC FG Box van, I believe it was called "Hijack"".
It was made in the early 1960's.Also featured a Thames Trader artic

dannywilde

My Dad was working on it as Sound Boom Operator, and he very kindly took me along for the day. It was the first Film Unit I'd ever been on (I would have been about 10 at the time), and I guess you could say it sealed the deal as regards what I wanted to do for a living!