The Powell & Pressburger Pages Dedicated to the work of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger and all the other people, both actors and technicians who helped them make those wonderful films. A lot of the documents have been sent to me or have come from other web sites. The name of the web site is given where known. If I have unintentionally included an image or document that is copyrighted or that I shouldn't have done then please email me and I'll remove it. I make no money from this site, it's purely for the love of the films. [Any comments are by me (Steve Crook) and other members of the email list]

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Berkhamstead Newsletter
Berkhamstead Scenes in a New Film

Dummy Milestone on Northchurch Common

Bucks Examiner - 6th January, 1939. page 8

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   It is not the first time that film producers have sought assistance from Berhamstead's almost romantic countryside as a background for a new film. On Tuesday, scenes for a new film, The Spy in Black, which is being produced by London Film Productions of Denham, were "shot" on Northchurch Common, and gave local Northchurch residents a good insight into the tricks of the trade. Interest was aroused in the town first when a large lorry load of appliances passed through during the afternoon. The glare of large arc lamps in the early evening aroused curiosity further and large crowds made their way to the Hollows, a pleasant spot on the side of the road leading up to the top of Northchurch Common. Here electricians and workmen had prepared the required scenes. A hayrick had been erected on the Common near the roadside and nearby a dummy milestone was placed bearing the inscription "Hoy 6 miles, Longhope 1 mile." The "shots" taken included one of a mysterious cripple man in black walking along the road towards the Common; another of a motor cycle dispatch rider (understudied for Conrad Veidt) riding through the bracken on to the road, and a third of the motor cyclist and a naval officer walking along the road towards the Common.