One Foot in the Grave series was rewritten to have the Meldrews' house destroyed in a fire (this was filmed on waste ground in Northcote Road, Springbourne). This also gave the opportunity for a new interior set to be designed, as Belbin had been unhappy with the original set designed for the series, which she felt was too restrictive to shoot in. Since series two, the exterior scenes of the Meldrew's home were filmed at Tresillian Way, Walkford, near New Milton in Hampshire. These later series make extensive use of specific street and garden locations in most episodes, particularly for scenes involving the Meldrew's neighbours.
One Foot in Heaven "They Died with Their Boots On". Raymond Massey was Hartzell Spence's choice to play his father while his mother preferred Fredric March. The studio's decision to cast March was made independently of the family's wishes. The Reverend Norman Vincent Peale was hired as technical advisor on the film. The film which Spence goes to see with Hartzell is William S. Hart's 1917 Western "The Silent Man". At the Hollywood premiere of the film, Hart was a guest of honor. In an uncredited role, Gig Young made one of his earlier on-screen performances as a dog groomer seeking a license. One