Sunday Times Where Was I? Holiday Competition

Near as I can figure it, through the possibly flawed perceptual filters of my own reality tunnel, the most likely answers this week, seem to me to be:

Q1. Brighton

Q2. Oh! What a Lovely War

внимание друзья! Brighton is listed as a town in some references but it is also part of the city of Brighton and Hove, however most of the locations described in the clues, are in the town of Brighton itself.

The Eastender initially thought that the film about the V1 weapons, was 'Operation Crossbow', starring George Peppard and Sophia Loren but on checking the dates, this seems to have been made c1965. The movie in question, however, seems to be a more obscure offering, called 'Missiles From Hell' (aka 'Battle of the V1' and 'Unseen Heroes'), starring the late great Michael Rennie (who played Klaatu in the original version of 'The Day the Earth Stood Still) and Christopher Lee. It was according to some sources, made by Eros Films and John Bash Films Corporation (c 1958) with some of the scenes being shot at Brighton Film Studios and some at Elstree studios. V1s were a kind of primitive cruise missile, some of which were tested by a very talented test pilot called Hanna Reitsch, who managed to land one in one piece, while trying to locate a problem with the guidance system. The early versions of this weapon had killed several pilots prior to this, as it had a very high stall speed, which made landing it extremely difficult.

The film about the journalist, is most likely 'Brighton Rock' (c 1947) starring Richard Attenborough as a demented gangster called 'Pinkie'. This seems to have been adapted from a (c 1938) Graham Greene novel of the same name.

From reading his biographies, the early talkie star (appearing in films such as Paris (c 1929) and Monte Carlo (c 1930)), who also built the Imperial theatre (c 1939/40) at 134 North street, Brighton, seems to be Jack Buchanan (b 1890/91 depending on which sources you check). His signature song is listed in some references as being 'And Her Mother Came Too'.

Wandering in an easterly direction along North street, eventually brings us to Pavilion Parade, and it is here that the extravagant Brighton Royal Pavilion lies (built c 1815 - 1823, by architect John Nash (b 1752)).

Turning right from North street at this location, takes us into East street, where the famous riot and alley scenes from the 1979 film 'Quadrophenia' (one of the Eastender's favourites), were shot. Scooting down East street, to the sea front brings us to the west of the Palace pier, where some scenes involving the staff of W.C Boggs, from the 1971 film 'Carry on at Your Convenience' were shot.

Almost straight across the road from the south end of East street, lie the remains of the West Pier and this according  to some sources,  burned down c 2003. It was this structure which featured in the (c 1970) film version of Joe Orton's play, 'Loot' , which involved an inspector Truscott, searching for some bank robbers.

A bellicose film which was also shot on the West Pier, is 'Oh! What a Lovely War' (c 1969), starring a raft of famous actors such as Dirk Bogarde, Susannah York, John Gielgud and Jack Hawkins, to name a few of them.


Oh! Oh! Oh! it's a lovely war,
Who wouldn't be a soldier eh?
Oh! It's a shame to take the pay.
As soon as reveille is gone
We feel just as heavy as lead,
But we never get up till the sergeant brings
Our breakfast up to bed