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October 2007

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Cannon Elstree Studios

 

Elstree Calling

Elstree Film Studios - Past, Present & Future

A Brief History:

Introduction:

This page contains details of the history of Elstree Film Studios, and many of the individuals and events that have been part of its long and amazing story.

Elstree Film Studios - Part Of The British Hollywood:

Fairly recently the small town of Borehamwood in Hertfordshire, re-received its unofficial and glamorous sounding title of 'The British Hollywood'. A title originally bestowed many years ago when there were several film studios, including MGM, all situated and working very near to each other in the area. However, for a while back in the early to mid-nineties, it looked as though the future of any film-making in Borehamwood at Elstree Film Studios was threatened and indeed very much in doubt. However, I am very glad to say that this former situation has been reversed thanks to Hertsmere Borough Council, members of the film and television industry and members of the public, all of whom worked long and hard to save and reopen the studios. And one sincerely hopes that the future of the site as a working film and television studio facility will remain secure.

 

But when did the story of the Elstree Film Studios actually begin? Well, to begin the story I have to go way-back over eighty years to 1924, when English cinemas were mainly just showing an influx of American films. This situation having come into fruition as a result of England being in the depths of the post First World War period. Indeed, hardly any British films were being made at all. But then, as has happily occurred on many an occasion since, the British film industry made a sudden and dramatic comeback. But this revival was strangely down to the work of an American man called J.D. Williams, who had come to England to form a film production company. And Williams, on hearing that the area of Hertfordshire was 'free from fog' purchased a site in the town of Borehamwood, and thus began the long history of film and television production on the present site. Events which itself were to be the driving force behind the town of Borehamwood itself growing and developing around the studios.  

 

At that time, at the originally named First National Studios, there were just two stages built in which large film productions could been filmed in, and sadly very soon Williams' film studios ran into serious financial problems. This was during a period when a young up and coming film-maker Herbert Wilcox, was in production with the film, Madame Pompadour.

 

One of first ever saviors of the studios was the former Glasgow solicitor turned film mogul, John Maxwell, who had first entered the film industry as the owner of a chain of Scottish cinemas. In 1925, Maxwell purchased the site and changed the name of the studios to British International, which in time became known as the BIP Studios. A name which would remain until the start of the Second World War in 1939, despite a company being formed in 1933 to amalgamate film production, exhibition and distribution and called the Associated British Picture Corporation. Production then recommenced at the studios in 1927. To this day, incidentally, John Maxwell's efforts are rewarded by the fact that one of the main admin. buildings at the front of the studios' site is named after him. As is land behind the studios, known as Maxwell Park.

 

The 1930s saw a much-welcomed boom in film production in England and this was no-exception at the BIP Studios' Borehamwood site. However, it was during the period of the Second World War that, whilst film-making continued at studios such as Ealing and the Gaumont Studios in Shepherds Bush, London, film-making ceased at the Elstree Film Studios' site in Borehamwood. Yet, up until this, point a reported 200 film productions (including both silent and talking pictures) had been made at the BIP Studios.

 

Despite the cease of film-production at the site, the studios, however, were given a vital role to play in the war. Indeed, several devices which helped greatly with the war effort were made at part of the site, whilst another part of the studios became home to the 550 seat theatre known as the Garrison Theatre. This was a venue which played host to the many British and American troops who were based in and around the Elstree and Borehamwood area at the time.

 

By February 1946, however, the army had left the studios' site and thus began the first of one of many improvements and additions to the studios' buildings and site.

 

During the war John Maxwell, who had been the original saviour of the studios, had died and one Sir Philip Warter, the son-in-law of Maxwell, had become the chairman of the ABPC board.

 

As well as the studios becoming known as ABPC after the war, the late 1940s were to see for the very first time an appointed casting director called Bob Lennard, overseeing the start of the studios having its own array of contracted stars. 

 

Over the years the roll call of the Elstree Studios' contracted stars was to include: Michael Denison, Richard Todd, Audrey Hepburn, Syliva Syms, Janette Scott, Millicent Martin, Charlie Drake, Tony Hancock, Richard Harris and Elke Sommer.

 

In September 1948, film production recommenced at the legendary studios with the production, Man on the Run. The following year was to see new stages built and opened and the management welcoming stars including the unforgettable Marlene Dietrich.

 

The 1950s were to be a golden era for the studios, films being made during this period included: Angels One Five, Captain Horatio Hornblower, Laughter in Paradise, The Dam Busters, Moby Dick, School for Scoundrels, Tommy the Toreador and Ice Cold in Alex. The 50s also saw the studios start to become additionally associated with television production for the first time. TV productions made at the site in the 50s from 1958 onwards included Dial 999 and The Flying Doctor.

 

The 1960s included a time which saw the British film industry hitting back at Hollywood's obsessive production of the film musical. As a result between 1961 and 1963, the ever popular 'Peter Pan of Pop' Cliff Richard, was to made three big box office hit film musicals at the studios: The Young Ones, Summer Holiday and Wonderful Life. The Young Ones was also an important film production in as much as its London street set, built on the then vast studios backlot, was to remain standing and play host as the location for many a TV production (see town set in 1968 in above photo) made at the studios including by ABC, and also by ITC, by the veteran TV mogul Sir Lew Grade. Indeed, Grade's own TV companies, ATV and ITC, were based across the road at the nearby studios on Clarendon Road, now home to BBC Elstree, and used for the production of such dramas as EastEnders and Holby City.

 

Incidentally, film and television companies continued to see the town set at Elstree Film Studios for at least another fifteen years for various productions.

The television series' made at the Elstree Studios during the 60s included: The Human Jungle, The Baron, The Avengers, The Saint, Department S, Randall And Hopkirk (Deceased) and The Champions.    

 

The year1969 saw ABPC being acquired by the company EMI. The legendary actor and director Bryan Forbes, who is married to the actress Nanette Newman, was appointed the Head of Production of ABPC, and Managing Director of the studios. As a result of the take-over the studios were to once again change their name. This time they became known as EMI Elstree Studios.

 

The 1970s were ushered in at the studios with the production of films including Lional Jefferies' much-loved film, The Railway Children, and a host of British comedy films. Many of these were TV sitcom spin-offs including: On the Buses, Mutiny on the Buses, Holiday on the Buses, Up Pompeii, Love Thy Neighbour, For The Love of Ada and Man About the House. The legendary film company Hammer Films, were responsible for many of these TV spin-off films, as well as a prolific number of horror films which they made at the studios during the sixties and seventies. Many of these wonderful sitcom spin-off films are still broadcast on British television now, as well as receiving regular re-releases on DVD. The same can also be said for Hammer's horror films.

 

border=0 v:shapes="_x0000_s1039">Recent news on the official Hammer Films website also suggests that future film and television production may occur, whilst in the meantime the company continues to grant licenses for various forms of merchandise. And apart from DVDs, I personally believe the best Hammer Films merchandise currently available includes a CD featuring the best music tracks from Hammer Films' special comedy presentations.    

 

The studios' name was again changed in the early 70s to EMI-MGM Elstree Studios, as a result of the closure of the nearby MGM Studios in Borehamwood. MGM announced that they intended to make all of their films at the Elstree Film Studios instead as part of a cost-cutting move. But despite public pressure the old MGM Studios' site, including its large backlot area, has sadly since become a housing estate, the only proof of the part it played in the history of film-making being that its roads have been named after a variety of film studios and stars. Even the old admin. building was to end up being demolished. Ironically film and TV production continues across the road from the site at the Millennium Studios.

 

During 1971 and 1972 Elstree Film Studios' list of credits were impressively prolific, with 1972 seemingly taking the record, from what I can tell following my research, for being one of the most busiest years for feature film production at the studios, with 28 films alone being made there. This number is without the television productions being added to this number count! Incidentally, the 1972 film version of the Thames TV sitcom, Love Thy Neighbour, which was made at the studios, gives us one of the best views of the studios as they were at the time, as many of the exterior scenes used the various studio buildings. Many of these buildings survive to this day, however, sadly some of them were sadly demolished in the early 90s by Brent Walker. 

 

Sadly, Brian Forbes resigned as as Managing Director in 1971 and the then Studio Administrator, Ian Scott, took over Forbes' old post. He was then to see the studios through a period which included the name being reverted to EMI Elstree Film Studios, as a result of MGM pulling out of the studios in 1973. Indeed, it was also in 1973 that Scott was himself to leave the studios and move to a new post at the London weekday franchise holding company, Thames Television. Andrew Mitchell, himself a film-maker, was to take over the post and see the studios through a bleak time when it was even announced at one point that they were to be closed. However, despite the closure never materialising at the time, the latter half of 1973 did saw the permanent studios' staff being sadly cut down from 518 to 261.

 

Murder on the Orient Express, a film made the following year, however, was to be the most ambitious film to be made at the Elstree Film Studios to date. Nine other films were made at the studios that year, in addition to the Agatha Christie adaptation, which had featured a large list of well-known international actors and actresses.

 

Mitchell, the Managing Director of studios at this time, despite the studios facing an uncertain future managed to keep the studios open along with a small permanent staff which had been even further reduced to a total of 48. It was their determination that saw that the studios did not close but instead survive as a result of adapting a new way of working. A way of working which is similar to the way Elstree Film Studios works and runs today, along with many other film and TV studios, as a 'facility', an open for all site where film and TV production companies can hire the studio and its facilities and be provided with a selection of on-site services. The majority of the various production staff being freelancers from outside the site and/or on-site freelancers who run their own companies and/or services at the studios.

 

As a result of the oil crisis film production in Britain during the 70s was brought almost to its knees, yet despite this productions some how continued to be made. The four Confessions... films, which starred Robin Askwith in the adventures of a saucy window cleaner, were made at the studios between 1974 and 1978. Elstree Film Studios were also to see more TV sitcom spin-off films being made there including: The Likely Lads and Are You Being Served? More high-profile films which had some or all production made there as the 70s rolled on included Star Wars, The Shining, Sherlock Holmes - Murder by Decree and Alien.

 

 

 

 

 

In 1977 the studios became known as the Thorn-EMI Elstree Studios, it was later to change to EMI Goldcrest, prior to being purchased by the Cannon Group in 1986, with Andrew Mitchell remaining as the Managing Director. During this period leading up until and including the early 1980s, some of the high-profile films made there included the aforementioned George Lucas film, Star Wars, which was to be the first of a six film series. The more immediate two sequels, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, were also made at the studios. Incidentally, the very final shots of the last-ever Star Wars films, Return of the Sith, were shot on Stage 7, the same stage where the very first scenes on the first Star Wars film, A New Hope, were 'shot'. Further proving the movie mogul George Lucas' continued love of Elstree Film Studios.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

During the 80s films made at the studios included the film version of the TV sitcom, George and Mildred, as well as Flash Gordon, Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Great Muppet Caper, Dark Crystal, Superman IV, Monty Python's Meaning of Life and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

The photo above left (which is (C) A.R. Mckay) features the old and now demolished administration block, which used to be at the front of the site, taken sometime during Cannon's brief ownership of the legendary Elstree Film Studios.

Cannon Screen Entertainment Ltd.'s Elstree Studios Division, however, was sold by the group in 1988, after also sadly selling the studios' film archive. The studios were sold to the company Brent Walker, who for a short time continued film production at the studios under the name of Brent Walker Goldcrest. However, in 1990 Brent Walker announced that film production at the site was no-longer viable and made its intention known that it proposed to turn 12 acres of the site into a Tescos Supermarket. The council agreed that part of the studios' site could be redeveloped on the condition that the remaining 15 acres of studio facilities were improved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

However, Brent Walker, despite their earlier agreement, later announced in 1993 its intention to stop all film-making on the site and 'redevelop' all of the remaining site as well.

 

The following two photos show how the part of the site that was demolished looked when mid-way through demolition in the early 90s. It is so sad to think of the stages that was was lost during this time. All of which would be of great use to the studio now, at a time when studio space, especially for television production, is much in-demand. Stage 6, however, was rescued and rebuilt at Shepperton Studios, now part of the Pinewood/Shepperton Group.

 

There now followed a period in which a legal battle raged between Brent Walker and Hertsmere Council. For a time it looked as though again it was the end of the line for film and television production on the site. However, Brent Walker had not reckoned on the intense passion and determination of the council, the film and TV industry and the public who all began to fight to save the studios. One of those passionate saviours of the site was a man called Paul Welsh, who now works for Elstree Town Council. Welsh himself once worked at the studios, and now stages the various plaque unveilings and film festivals in Borehamwood. He also helped to form The Elstree Film & Television Screen Heritage Group, and is now their chairman.

And then, finally, according to the December 1996/January 1997 magazine edition of the industry union, Bectu, which had included a feature on the reopening of the rennovated site, 'After two and a half years of legal action, the final court date neared over the 1990 council agreement and virtually on the court steps, at the end of February this year (1996), Brent Walker finally agreed to sell the site to Hertsmere'.

 

There then followed a million-pound repair and refurbishment programme which transformed the remaining site, making it once again fit for film and television production. Originally there were 10 stages at the studios, but after the demolition of part of site and at the time of its reopening the number was down to just three stages 7, 8 & 9. Since then The George Lucas Stage has been built, a 50ft high sound stage building, currently the highest studio in England. It was named after the well-known Star Wars film producer, George Lucas, who has supported the studios in so many ways over the years since he first shot the first Star Wars film back in 1976.  The above photo of The George Lucas Stage was taken from just outside Elstree Props at the studios and near to the Big Brother house.  

 

 

 

And with the addition of another two stages, one sound and one silent, this now brings the current number of available stages up to seven! Two of the older stages have indoor water tanks and certain stages are now fully-equiped digital television studios. One of the exterior water tanks (on which currently the Big Brother house is situated) also remains as does the now refurbished administration, 28 seater preview theatre, restaurant and canteen buildings.

 

The photo above shows The George Lucas Stage as viewed from the Tescos car park in the summer of 2004.

 

Since the site reopened at the end of 1996 a selection of high-profile film and television productions have been made at the studios' site. Film productions that have had part or all all pre, post and/or production at the studios since it reopened (and including during the time that a lease was held by Elstree Film & Television Studios Ltd.: 2000 - 2007) have included: Watch that Man, Closer, Batman Forever, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and Star Wars: Return of the Sith. With the high-profile television productions being made at the studios including: Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, Big Brother, Celebrity Big Brother and Dancing On Ice, to name but just a few.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incidentally, the Big Brother house currently stands on the water tank that was used for the film Moby Dick way-back in 1956! Indeed, the photo on the right shows the Big Brother house on the backlot at the studios during the production of Big Brother 6. If you look at the left of the picture you can just make out one of the towers that house the spotlights used for the shows eviction nights. And if you look at the mid-to-right of the photo you can just make out the front of the house which has the garden etc. situated behind. The trees in the background mask the residential area which is behind the studios. The Tescos superstore, which is on the old part of the studios site, is to the right and just out of this picture. The car park shows the different amount of production team, catering vans etc. used during the production of the high-rating show. 

 

As I update this part of the site in early June 2007, the owners of the studios, Hertsmere Borough Council, have taken the studios back in house. This is after the previous lease held by Elstree Film & Television Studios Ltd. From the 1st April 2007, the studios became known as Elstree Film Studios Ltd. The previous staff of the studios who had successfully run the studios and worked there since 2000 (apart from sadly the previous director of the studios, Neville Reid) were then given contracts to continue working at the studios by Hertsmere Brough Council. And it is believed that the studios will continue to be run as an in-house concern until an appropriate lease-holder is found to run the studios. 

 

I personally hope that even if Hertsmere is unable to find an ideal bidder to run the studios, that they still find investers who can 'enhance' the site. Ideal enhancements in my opinion would include the remaining part of the backlot site, which was used for building large exterior sets such as the hotel featured in The Shining, will once-more again be brought into use for the building of exterior sets and/or new stages. At present this area is just grassland and access mostly blocked, with a large metal fence being positioned along the edge of this area. To view part of the aforementioned area, I recommend that you watch the eviction night programmes of Big Brother or Celebrity Big Brother. If you look over at the area positioned just behind the Big Brother house, you often quite clearly see the fencing which runs along the back right across and behind the large George Lucas Stage.A small part of the land is, however, used by the Big Brother production unit, who position one or more cranes for high camera shots on the edge of this area. Many of the fireworks launched on the finale nights of each Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother also appear to be positioned on parts of this land too. Finally with regards to this part of the site, several of the on-site tenants have storrage containers situated on part of this land.

 

 

 

 

The year 2006 proved to be yet another very busy period for the studios, with a number of film and television productions being made at the studios, including a run of Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother. 

 

Currently several companies whose services continue to be available for hire by film, television and theatre production companies at the studios include: Applause Store and Elstree Props (see the Production Village page for full details).

 

Finally I would like to mention that this website is dedicated to anyone who has helped keep Elstree Film Studios open and alive over the last eighty years. And I personally will always be keen to be part of any campaign that is held to ensure that the studios future on the site is secured. Sadly, Borehamwood as already lost several studios including MGM, which was once situated just down the road from Elstree, and The Gate Studios, which was recently demolished.

 

We must never lose Elstree.

(C) Paul Burton 2007

Known Photo & Vid. Cap. Credits: The photos which shows the past and present studios' site and the old parts of the site as they are today are (C) Paul Burton. The photos showing the demolition of the old part of the site are (C) David Healey, of the Unmutual Society, and the photo of the admin. building is (C) A.R. Mckay, of the Avengerland website. The vid. cap. of Reg Varney and Bob Grant was taken from The Bus Station website, and is (C) Optimum Releasing. The vid. cap. of the Celebrity Big Brother 5 House is (C) Brighter Pictures/Endemol UK.

The Unmutual website is dedicated to the excellent 60s TV series, The Prisoner. To visit their highly recommended website, please click onto the following link: www.theunmutual.co.uk

To visit the brilliant Avengerland website, which features a prolific amount of details and photos connected with such programmes as The Prisoner and The Saint, please click onto the following link: http://avengerland.theavengers.tv/content.htm

To visit The Bus Station website, which includes an excellent section on buses used in films, please click onto the following website: www.busstation.net/index.htm

For more information on Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother, please visit their official website by clicking onto the following link: www.channel4.com/bigbrother

My special thanks to everyone who has helped, and/or continues to help me, with my research for this website. On 1st April 2008 my new book, Elstree - A Celebration, will be published by Apex Publishing Ltd. For more information, please click onto: Elstree - A Celebration, in the pages menu.

 

Order Of Ownership:

 

This section features an important at-a-glance list of all of the past and present owners and names of the Borehamwood-based Elstree Film Studios. The names of the owners are listed together with their dates of ownership. If you believe that any of the following details are incorrect in any way, then please do not hesitate to contact me by clicking onto the Contact Paul Burton page in the pages menu.

 

 

 

Order Of Ownership List:

© Paul Burton 2007

 

 

 

Archived from http://www.freewebs.com/elstreecalling/abriefhistory.htm

October 2007

This page has been saved for archive/educational use only and all other rights are reserved and copyrighted by their respective owners.

 

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