GB 1955 1hr 15mins Dir: Henry Cass Starring: John Carroll and Virginia Bruce
A Texas oilman and a British Entomologist find themselves looking after a group of children whose parents have gone missing on an African safari
This far-fetched and rather lightweight comedy does at least feature some railway scenes, which open with a close-up shot of an ex-LMS ‘Black Five’ 4-6-0 working a mixed train in the Highlands of Scotland. There is then a departure scene from London Waterloo station, which may use the interior of a real railway carriage, but has an excellent shot of a sadly unidentified and unnamed streamlined Bulleid pacific pulling away with much wheel-slip. The final arrival scene at Winchester (City) station is of another ‘Spamcan’, this time No.35020 Bibby Line. This is a slightly cropped shot of one that first appeared in Double Exposure (1954). Despite this being filmed at Winchester City, the external view of the station forecourt used Walton-on-Thames. We see Walton-on-Thames station again later on in the movie, with SR electric units arriving into the platform.
A classic shot of a ‘Black Five’ in Scotland
The camera tracks the train’s progress as it passes. Note the small 4-wheel van tucked in between the tender and the first coach.
This is a very familiar view of the concourse at London Waterloo
This brilliant shot is full of atmosphere. Notice the tank engine visible through the barrier on the right. This is almost certainly an M7 Class 0-4-4.
John Carroll and Virginia Bruce sitting inside a railway carriage. The fact that the train does not go anywhere lends one to believe that this is real, and not a set. There is no reason why the actors could not have ‘hopped’ onto an empty train for five minutes while this scene was shot. Notice the other carriage visible through the corridor window only adds to the realism.
The guard boards the departing train. Note how the number 2787 is placed on the guards ducket (lookout). The white refrigerated van behind is a most interesting addition.
With plenty of wheelslip, this Bulleid pacific begins to get a grip with its train. The loco is unidentified, but it is still unnamed and in original condition. The BR emblem on the tender though tells us that this is a stock shot from the early-1950s. How many were left unnamed by this point?
This close up shot of ‘Merchant Navy’ Class No.35020 Bibby Lane arriving into Winchester (City) station, is seen in much finer detail in Double Exposure (1954)
Our passengers may have travelled to Winchester in the film, but they never got anywhere near it in reality! This is Walton-on-Thames station, with the taxis outside eagerly awaiting custom.
John Carroll and Virginia Bruce wait on the platform at Walton-on-Thames. An electric unit is arriving into the platform and judging by the coaches it could be a 4 LAV.
