Avengerland and the Holy Grail

[Anthony McKay]

It's "Mock Tudor" and could well be a B&B but put an appeal on Geograph and somebody will sort it for you

Not your usual 'Mock Tudor', this building features a nice bit of carving on the woodwork below the gable on the right - this is class stuff!

I will look into the Geograph suggestion.

[Anthony McKay]

A little bird tells me to watch http://www.randallandhopkirk.org.uk/whats_new.htm for shocking revalations in the next 24 hours!

[Alan Hayes]

Shocking they will be. For one, I've tracked the building down (although it was demolished in 1970) and there's quite a story to tell.

[mariocki]

although it was demolished in 1970

That would explain a lot

Look forward to hearing all about it Alan.

[Alan Hayes]

Now live:

http://www.randallandhopkirk.org.uk/whats_new.htm

Some of it is not safe for work, believe it or not...

[mariocki]

Incredible stuff. Can you give us some idea as to how this came to light?

[Westengland]

Congratulations.

Would you be able to tell us briefly how you found out where and what the house was and its fate? - I'm very interested in the methods used to find buildings (and locations) and the proofs needed such as photographs, news reports and so on.

[Alan Hayes]

Basically, I saw a link to one of Harrison Marks' films (Nightmare at Elm Manor) on a blog site I visit occasionally which named the house it was filmed at. Took a look at the video (not expecting it to be De Crecy's (not in a million years), I hasten to add, just hoping for a bit of Benny Hill-style early 60s underground film making) and was startled to see the house we'd all been looking for within about ten seconds of the film starting. After that it was a case of reading a feature that I suddenly remembered I'd seen at the same blog a couple of years back (and which hadn't clicked with me at the time as De Crecy's) and tracked back and found it again. From information in the article (along with a photo which proved the link beyond doubt), it was then a simple case of intensive Google searching, which led me to a Yahoo group devoted to Marks' glamour photography and the Ewhurst Manor connection. They've clearly done a lot of research on its former location and history but hadn't linked it to the ITC series filmed there.

For anyone interested, the article concerned is here: http://www.randallandhopkirk.org.uk/...room_extra.htm (contains material of an adult nature, albeit thankfully rather tame!)

[Anthony McKay]

Excellent work Alan especially given that so many people have searched for it before and found nothing.

Also thanks for plumbing the depths of Elstree's productions looking for clues. I'm still suffering nightmares from "Digby The Biggest Dog in the World" and "Virgin Witch".

Even looking at maps and aerial photos it is still difficult to find the house, I'm amazed how small it was.

Looking at the location I can't believe it was virtually in the middle of town just a short walk from the station.

I'm also surprised that we did not see it more often in other productions. Not once in THE SAINT or THE AVENGERS.

Anyone typing 'Ewhurst Manor' into Google have a lot to thank you for. Especially as "Manor Elstree", "Hall Borehamwood", "Tudor Hetrfordshire" etc. etc. failed us time and time again.

[Anthony McKay]

I've posted up some map images on the web to give some idea of the location.

[Alan Hayes]

Excellent work Alan especially given that so many people have searched for it before and found nothing.

Delighted you're impressed. Compared to the work of yourself and others, what I've achieved in location spotting is miniscule, but I'm rather chuffed that I've been able to solve one of the deep seated mysteries.

Also thanks for plumbing the depths of Elstree's productions looking for clues. I'm still suffering nightmares from "Digby The Biggest Dog in the World" and "Virgin Witch".

Can't deny that I'm rather fond of Virgin Witch!

Even looking at maps and aerial photos it is still difficult to find the house, I'm amazed how small it was.

Looking at the location I can't believe it was virtually in the middle of town just a short walk from the station.

I'm also surprised that we did not see it more often in other productions. Not once in THE SAINT or THE AVENGERS.

Maybe there was a problem getting a shot without a naked lady in the background? :)

Anyone typing 'Ewhurst Manor' into Google have a lot to thank you for. Especially as "Manor Elstree", "Hall Borehamwood", "Tudor Hetrfordshire" etc. etc. failed us time and time again.

Thanks, Tony. Kind of you to say.

[Alan Hayes]

Thanks for the additional work, Tony! Will nab those images for the site, assuming you don't mind.

[Alan Hayes]

Those maps and a little revised detail now added to the page, plus - if you want to waste four minutes of your life that you'll never get back - the video of Nightmare at Elm Manor.

http://www.randallandhopkirk.org.uk/...room_extra.htm

[mcourtman]

Great stuff Alan!

There's a similar Tudor style manor house in the Grounds of the private swimming pool featured in the Danger Man episode 'The Professionals':

NadjaRegin.jpg

Any chance you can locate that one?

Matt

[Cooper S]

Marty looks suitably shocked ! Well done Alan !

[Alan Hayes]

Marty looks suitably shocked !

Thought that was somehow appropriate! :)

[SainT]

Excellent work, Alan. Shocking to hear that Ewhurst Manor was demolished. Can you tell me the exact year of the demolition? Was it in 1970 or in the 1970s?
Living in Macedonia, I'm not familiar with any of the TV episodes featured by Ewhurst Manor as an exterior location.
Also, I like to know if there was the actual interior location featured by Ewhurst Manor?
Or the Ewhurst Manor interior locations were filmed in a studio?

Greg

[Alan Hayes]

Hi Greg.

Yes, the building was demolished in 1970. None of the ITC productions used the interior as far as I'm aware, though it was a common practice to shoot interiors in studio as this was cheaper to achieve. However, the George Harrison Marks short available on the link below shows the actual interior of the house.

http://www.randallandhopkirk.org.uk/...room_extra.htm

[SainT]

Hi Alan,

Thank you very much for the information.
Is there any resemblance between:
1. The studio sets featured in the various TV episodes to each other?
2. The studio sets featured in the various TV episodes and the actual interior of Ewhurst Manor?

Yesterday, I read your article in Randall and Hopkirk website. Did you find out the true reason why both Ewhurst Manor and White House were demolished?

The link is not working!

Greg

[Alan Hayes]

Corrected link:

http://www.randallandhopkirk.org.uk/...room_extra.htm

I cut and pasted it from earlier in the topic, not realising it had been shortened by the forum software.

As for your questions, the studio sets were usually from stock and redressed, so no, they would not have much that would resemble the actual interiors. However, designers were careful to replicate shaped windows and doors, colour schemes, that kind of thing, so the outdoors and indoor views would match to an extent.

The two houses were demolished to make way for a new housing development. One would assume that the owners were struggling to make ends meet (considering the slightly desperate fundraising via inviting filmmakers to use the house and grounds, regardless of the legitimacy of the production) and ultimately had no option but to sell.

My wife and I visited the location today. The named houses on Mildred Avenue remain intact today (and retain the same names), but everything behind them has changed. All quite soulless and lacking the impact and beauty of Elmhurst Manor (and most likely White House, not that any photos of that appear to have survived).