John Tunstill 1939 – 2021

11th November 2021

10th November – It is with considerable saddness and regret that we have to advise all our viewers and contributors of the death of John Tunstill earlier today. John was the founding father of Reelstreets, a good friend to many and had an amazing energy and gift for life that he continued to exhibit even through some of the more challenging times of his health in recent years. We like to think that our continuance of this Website will be a proud and ongoing tribute to his memory.

Our thoughts and very much with Liliana and his family at this time. John will be sadly missed by us all.

It was with his brother Brian, who we have also lost, that Reelstreets was born back in 2003 after their being confused by the presence of the open air swimming pool shown in “I Believe in You”.

The site was, however, easily identified by the theatre in the background, the Shaftesbury. A visit proved that a swimming pool was still there, the Oasis, but now under a skyscraper. They decided then to start recording the changes that had been made to their streets, in their lifetime.

A few years later Simon James generously offered his archive material that had not been included in his book “London Film Location Guide”.

Here, in 2007 are Simon, John and Brian at the book launch.

With some challenging health problems in recent years John took a back seat with regard to Reelstreets whilst at all times maintaining an active interest, indeed, despite living in Wales or Rugby he always managed to attend our biannual meetings in London. Indeed the most recent was in July this year.

His cheerful and positive attitude, together with his amazing energy for life can perhaps be seen in him playing the part of Cary Grant in a North by North West corn field.

You are forever with us John, in name and memory.