MovieChat Forums > The Chalk Garden (1964) Discussion > Anybody knows.....?

Anybody knows.....?

posted 19 years ago by spboschi
10 replies | jump to latest

Hello, I am writing from the beautiful English South East coast where The Chalk Garden was made in 1964. I have been trying to find out where is the village where Ms.Kerr and Sir Mills go to buy the 'lock' and where is the house located? I know that it was made between Eastbourne and Beachy Head but that is all I know... If anybody knows anything about it, please let me know.This is a wonderful film and I hope that Universal will release it soon on DVD. You can tell it is a Ross Hunter production and the glossiness does not distract from the superb acting.If you also know anything about this film please feel free to write. Many thanks.

[–] Portable_universe 19 years ago

When I saw The Chalk Garden I was surprised to hear Ms Kerr's lines about her past; what she intimated sounded very much like the case of Constance Kent (a summary can be read at the website The History of the Metropolitan Police www.met.police.uk) especially interesting given that Hayley and John Mills are absorbed by famous murder cases throughout the movie. I've seen this movie several times and always learn a little more each time I see it.

[–] Windwalkerz 19 years ago

This is one of my all time favorite movies. It is wonderful that you are actually there. I cannot imagine that the house will still be there after all these years. But the countryside must be beautiful.

[–] julesthane 17 years ago

The village where they go to buy the padlock is Alfriston.

[–] spboschi 17 years ago

Hello, I thought so too when I first went to Alfriston but was not sure. I used to live in Sussex and when I saw the little square near the post office I thought that it could be it. Many thanks for letting me know.

[–] julesthane 17 years ago

I've just been back to the film to double-check - with a postcard of the village square in one hand and remote in the other! All the buildings are still recognisable.

[–] spope2 17 years ago

You beat me to it. I was only 19 when I first saw the movie, but I recognised Alfriston immediatly. The'square' in this tiny village gave it away. I love this movie and so wish it were avaliable on DVD.

[–] lynfoster 17 years ago

I am tickled to death to read posts from others who know this movie, and love it as I do. It's one of my all-time favorites, and I've written to TCM several times to ask them to play it. I'm itching to record it! I even looked up Deborah Kerr, looking for a way to write to her, but I believe she no longer accepts fan mail. When she was a child, my mother lived with the family of the man who designed some of DK's costumes(Quo Vadis), Herschel McCoy, and I know my mother was on the set. I guess that's why DK has always been a favorite of mine.

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] spope2 16 years ago

The scene where Hayley is painting the red and white lighthouse by the cliffs is 'Beachy Head' near Eastbourne in Sussex, England.

[–] Mickolynj 11 years ago

As a psychologist, I love psycho dramas and this is one of my super favs! I, too, would love to see it again on one of the retro movie channels. Many of my adolescent clients have similar behaviors, so I think the character, Laurel, hits the mark. Someone please show this moivie soon!