Elstree Studios

• 1. Neptune And Ideal Beginnings

  ›

  The year 1914 marked the start of film production in Borehamwood when Neptune Film Company opened its first studios. This early venture established a foothold for cinema in Hertfordshire before World War I halted operations in 1917. The site changed hands to Ideal Film Company which utilized the facilities until 1924. Ludwig Blattner purchased the studio during 1928 and connected it to electricity mains while introducing a German system of sound recording. Joe Rock Productions leased the Blattner Studio in 1934 and eventually bought the site two years later. Rock built four new large stages that expanded capacity significantly. British National Films Company took over between 1939 and 1948 though government war work occupied much of the facility during this period.

• 2. War Requisition And Ownership Shifts

  ›

  World War II saw portions of the Eldon Avenue centre requisitioned by the British government for storage purposes. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. acquired the studios in 1953 primarily for television production needs. Lew Grade's Associated Television (ATV) subsequently purchased the property making Eldon Avenue their main hub. Studio D featured permanent audience seating used for light entertainment programmes like Two Of A Kind running from 1961 to 1968. The Muppet Show aired there from 1976 through 1981 with Brian Jay Jones documenting its history. Central Independent Television inherited operations when ATV restructured as part of ITV network licensing conditions requiring departure from London-centric facilities. They remained active until July 1983 before BBC acquisition.

• 3. Star Wars Saves Shenley Road

  ›

  British International Pictures Ltd began construction on Shenley Road land in 1925 creating two large film stages. Madame Pompadour became the first film produced at this location in 1927. Alfred Hitchcock made Blackmail here in 1929 marking Britain's first sound film. Six new sound stages were built at the end of the silent era with three sold to British & Dominions Film Corporation. Andrew Mitchell MBE took over management in August 1973 only to be told immediately to close the facility and lay off staff. Significant job cuts occurred but survival was secured when Star Wars production began using the studios in 1977. This blockbuster led to subsequent Lucas productions including sequels and Indiana Jones films bringing Steven Spielberg into the fold. Thorn Electrical Industries merged with EMI in 1979 renaming the site Thorn-EMI Elstree Studios after their CT scanner invention debacle caused financial problems for EMI.

• 4. BBC Era And EastEnders Production

  ›

  The BBC purchased the Elstree site in 1984 specifically to produce its new soap opera EastEnders which first aired on the 19th of February 1985. Many other programmes followed including Top Of The Pops, Allo Allo, You Rang My Lord, Grange Hill, Hangar 17 and Holby City. Most of the site now devotes itself entirely to EastEnders production while Studio D remains available for hire via BBC Studioworks. Shows like Strictly Come Dancing and Pointless are recorded there during Television Centre redevelopment. Brent Walker entertainment company acquired the studios put up for sale in 1985 though much of the backlot became derelict before being demolished. A Save Our Studios campaign led by local historian Paul Welsh MBE saw Hertsmere Borough Council purchase the remaining site in February 1996 for two million pounds. They invested ten million pounds in renovations plus construction of two brand new stages.

• 5. Demolished Sites And Fires

  ›

  A single large stage built in Station Road in 1928 by Whitehall Films Ltd wound up operations in 1930. Julius Hagen bought the site forming JH Studios after Twickenham Studios owner took control. Financial difficulties forced Hagen to sell to MP Productions owned by producer J Banberger in 1937. J Arthur Rank purchased the facility in 1950 renaming it Gate Studios making religious films until production ceased in 1957. Andrew Harkness bought the site but moved out in 2004 establishing global manufacturing bases elsewhere. The building was demolished in 2006 to make way for apartments named Gate Studios in homage. Imperial Studios fire destroyed three stages of British and Dominions Film Corporation on the 10th of February 1936 costing $2,250,000 according to Calgary Daily Herald reports. Alexander Korda made one of his greatest successes there with The Private Life Of Henry VIII starring Charles Laughton before the blaze.

• 6. Modern Revival And Future Plans

  ›

  Millennium Studios established in 1993 offered television and film space opposite former MGM-British studios location. First series of CBBC's The Mysti Show aired there in 2004 while Channel 5's Trisha Goddard ran for one year in 2005. Relocation to Thurleigh near Bedford occurred in 2010 leaving only Studio 2000 operating as a single TV studio used by Rude Tube. Sky announced plans in December 2019 to develop new facilities at Rowley Lane expected opening in 2022. Thirteen stages planned with smallest being approximately some size though exact dimensions remain unspecified. Post-production facilities and an on-site screening cinema will also house operations. A further ten stages could be added under proposal called Sky Studios Elstree North extending northward. Hertswood Studios proposal suggests twenty-one additional stages immediately north of proposed expansion area. Local councils and private investors continue driving redevelopment efforts across multiple sites today.