PENNY POINTS TO PARADISE

GB
1951
1hr 17mins
Dir: Tony Young
Starring: Harry Secombe and Peter Sellers

A pools winner is targeted by a forger

This obscure comedy is referred to as ‘a terrifyingly bad film’ by Peter Sellers. It was not profitable on initial release and was eventually re-issued for distribution abroad in 1960 as a cut-down 55-minute version under the title Penny Points. Many sections were removed, and some additional unrelated material was incorporated from a short comedy entitled Let’s Go Crazy, which had also featured Sellers. Despite all this, the film features good opening shots of Brighton station with 6 PAN EMU’s in the platforms, though the railway scenes open with a brief run-by of 2 BIL EMU’s working a headcode 12 service. There is also a car chase sequence towards the end that passes over Brighton Road level crossing in Crawley.

A train formed of SR 2 BIL EMU’s with unit 2068 leading runs past the camera working Headcode 12, Victoria-Brighton (semi-fast) via Redhill. This is the cutting at Wandsworth Common.
A low-level shot of Brighton station, all rather atmospheric
Brighton platforms and what looks to be a 6 PAN unit is on the right
This rather fine backlit shot shows passengers leaving the platform
Harry Secombe and Spike Milligan leave the station as a porter carries their luggage. Note the smoke rising from a steam loco in the platforms behind.
The ‘taxi’ arrives for the comedy duo, in this shot of the entrance to Brighton station
This is Brighton Road level crossing in Crawley