Scene-stealing locations

 

Maybe Hollywood just appreciates the favourable exchange rate, but we like to think it’s our diverse range of olde-world pubs that gets them filming this side of the Atlantic. Feast away while you reminisce at one of these scene-stealing locations.

Fright night

The Film: An American Werewolf in London

The Location: The Black Swan, Surrey

Known by locals as The Mucky Duck, The Black Swan was ironically monikered The Slaughtered Lamb for the 1981 black comedy. The film’s chilling opening shows two American backpackers stumbling into a dingy drinking den which falls suspiciously silent. The local drinkers are a close-knit, tight-lipped bunch and a sinister pentangle is etched on the wall. Had the audience known that the pub is actually located in the heart of the stockbroker belt, and not in the heart of the Yorkshire moors, the eerie ambience may have somewhat diminished. This old pub, which has also featured in Inspector Morse, is now frequented by biker gangs. Nice… 


The lovenest

The Film: Four Weddings & A Funeral

The Location: The Crown Hotel, Amersham High Street, Buckinghamshire

The Crown Hotel is the cosy timbered bar where Hugh Grant courted southern gal Andie MacDowell. The hotel dates form the 16th century; and the bar used to be the local magistrate’s court-room. Exterior shots of the bar, renamed The Boatman for the film, were filmed outside the nearby Amersham’s Kings Arms; a picture-postcard timber framed pub. Grant and MacDowell also filmed a canoodling session in the bridal suite of the same hotel, leading to bookings for the same room from as far afield as Japan! And the same four-poster bed from the film is available too.


Riverside charm

The Film: The Crying Game

The Location: London Apprentice, Church Street, Isleworth

Neil Jordan’s IRA thriller was an unexpected hit on both sides of the Atlantic. While the exterior of The Metro Bar (where ladyboy Dil meets Fegus) was a vacant property dressed up by film-makers, the interior was real enough – it’s the London Apprentice pub. The décor retains the feel of its early 18th century roots, best experienced on a winter’s afternoon in a cosy armchair by the open fire. Previous visitors include Henry VII, Charles II and III, Oliver Cromwell and Dick Turpin. Spiffing! Traditional bar snacks are served in the conservatory, while the upstairs restaurant offers more sophisticated dishes, like pan-fired fillet of pork.   


Make mine a double

The Film: Sliding Doors

The Location: Bertorelli’s, Charlotte Street, London

Fans of Hollywood golden girl Gwyneth Paltrow can pay homage to the pretty actress at this West-End Italian eatery. Paltrow and her doppelganger dined and worked here in the 1997 flick thanks to a plot-twisting parallel narrative. Bertorelli’s menu combines modern Italian cuisine with traditional favourites serves hefty portions – and the buzzing atmosphere is a bonus. Don’t feel financially intimidated by the trendy art-décor; the owner’s motto is: “Exclusive doesn’t necessarily mean expensive.” But recent reports of ruse serving staff suggest the management should hire charming Gwyneth on a permanent basis


How terribly posh

The Film: Howard’s End

The Location: Simpsons-in-the-Strand

Film fans can follow Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson’s’ award-winning footsteps by eating here. Originally a 19th century chess club the main dining room remains a proudly old-fashioned establishment (despite a partial revamp) serving traditional English cuisine. Howard’s End was filmed in the West Room and the entire sequence serves as effective advertising. Hopkins’ character describes the place as “thoroughly old-English”, offering Margaret some menu advice: Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding and cider to drink – that’s the sort of thing to go for.”


On a Beatles tip

The Film: A Hard Day’s Night

The Location: Les Ambassadeurs Club, Hamilton Place London 

This seminal band documentary was hastily assembled in 1946 to cash-in on The Beatles overwhelming popularity before it waned. It starts with the band arriving in London with Paul’s fictional grandfather who then sneaks out for a quick flutter at Le Circle Club, passing himself off as Lord McCartney.  The lads head to the disco; both sequences were shot in the 19th century Les Ambassadeurs Club. Located in a sophisticated period building the club is popular with the rich and famous, with a canopied garden for outdoor summer dining. Wear your Sunday best if you want to get in.  


A literary lounge

The Film: Shadowlands

The Location: Fellows Lounge The Randolph Hotel, Oxford

The lounge in this sedate 19th century hostelry was the setting for the first between C.S. Lewis and his future wife Joy Gresham, and also features in many Inspector Morse episodes. Surprisingly, this elegant lounge is also open to the public as well as hotel guests and is a distinguished place to take afternoon tea. There’s Grolsch, Caffreys and Guinness on tap and for the peckish there’s a selection of rather posh light snack such as salmon platter and roast beef in red wine. You’re well advised to book a table as its maximum capacity extends to 35 people.   


-- Published by Virgin.Net, 1999

 

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