CROOKS IN CLOISTERS

GB
1964
1hr 38mins
Dir: Jeremy Summers
Starring: Ronald Fraser and Bernard Cribbens

Fleeing robbers hide out in an abandoned monastery by posing as monks

This crime comedy begins with a gang staging a train robbery, later described as ‘the smallest ever’! There are a couple of passing shots of Class 45-hauled expresses on the Midland Main Line leaving Elstree Tunnels, whilst the ‘robbery’ was thought to have taken place in Brent Sidings, Cricklewood, using Class 46 No. D140. A good number of additional shots were filmed at Elstree Tunnels for use in the completed production and then never used. These appear in the Video 125 DVD Diesel & Electric on 35mm Volume 1 & 2 and show that those selected for use in the film have been reversed!

A Class 45-hauled express near Elstree tunnels on the Midland Main Line
As dusk begins to fall, another 45 passes the camera
Barbara Windsor climbs into the cab of Class 46 D140
Barbara Windsor in the cab of D140. We are led to believe that she drives the loco away during the robbery!! It is a comedy after all!!
Vintage police cars stand in front of equally vintage LMS BG van’s. This scene was filmed somewhere in Brent Yards, or possibly Scratchwood Sidings, Mill Hill. The cars are a Ford Zephyr and a 1957 Wolseley 6/90.