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Associated British Studios

From Alfawiki
Elstree Studios
Company typeStudio complex
IndustryFilm and television production
Founded1925
FounderBritish National Pictures Ltd
Headquarters
Borehamwood
,
United Kingdom
Area served
United Kingdom, international film and television productions
Key people
Andrew Mitchell (former managing director)
OwnerHertsmere Borough Council
ParentElstree Film Studios Limited
Websitewww.elstreestudios.co.uk

Elstree Studios, situated on Shenley Road in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, serves as a prominent British hub for film and television production, managed by Elstree Film Studios Limited. Among the various sites historically known as Elstree Studios, this particular location began operations in 1925.

Having undergone numerous ownership transitions, the facility is presently under the ownership of Hertsmere Borough Council. It has been the site of distinguished projects such as Alfred Hitchcock's Blackmail, recognized as Britain's inaugural sound film, as well as iconic titles like Star Wars (1977), The Shining (1980), and the Indiana Jones series. The George Lucas Soundstage 2, the largest at the complex, covers 15,770 square feet and accommodates both cinematic and television productions.

Positioned close to the BBC Elstree Centre, several studios within Elstree are leased by BBC Studioworks for television shows including Strictly Come Dancing.

British International and Associated British

In 1925, British National Pictures Ltd purchased the Shenley Road property and constructed two substantial sound stages. After internal disagreements among partners, solicitor John Maxwell invested in the company and eventually assumed control. The studio’s initial film was Madame Pompadour released in 1927.

By 1927, Maxwell had acquired full ownership of the company’s shares and rebranded it as British International Pictures (BIP). A second stage was inaugurated in 1928. Maxwell secured a contract with Alfred Hitchcock for a three-year period to produce twelve films; during this time Hitchcock directed Blackmail, notable as Britain’s first talkie, which was produced on-site. As silent films waned, six sound stages were constructed; half were sold to British & Dominions Film Corporation, while BIP retained the remainder. BIP also produced Elstree Calling (1930), considered Britain’s first musical feature.

In 1933, BIP transitioned to become Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC), though the original name remained in use until 1937. Following Maxwell’s death in 1940, World War II saw the studios repurposed as storage facilities for the War Office.

In 1946, Warner Brothers acquired a controlling interest in ABPC, reorganized management, and refurbished the stages by 1948. Film production recommenced with titles such as Man on the Run and The Hasty Heart, which starred Richard Todd and Ronald Reagan.

During the 1960s, Shenley Road studios became a key site for ABPC’s television arm, ABC Weekend TV, producing series like later seasons of The Avengers, credited under "ABC Television Films Ltd, Associated British Elstree Studios." Other ITC productions for ATV, including The Saint, The Baron, Department S, and The Champions, were also filmed there. These programs utilized a townscape standing set erected behind the studios originally for the 1961 Cliff Richard movie The Young Ones.

EMI and others

In 1969, Electric and Musical Industries (EMI) took control of ABPC and renamed the facility EMI-Elstree Studios. That same year, Bryan Forbes was appointed head of production with a mission to rejuvenate British cinema through a traditional studio model. Under Forbes’ leadership, acclaimed films such as The Railway Children (1970), The Tales of Beatrix Potter (1971), and The Go-Between (1971) were produced. Despite financial strains and withheld funding leading to Forbes’ resignation in 1971, he later remarked that the initiative yielded profits exceeding £16 million from an investment of £4 million.

From 1970 to 1973, EMI engaged in a production and distribution partnership with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, during which time the studios operated under the name EMI-MGM Elstree Studios. In 1974, Andrew Mitchell was appointed managing director with initial instructions to close the studios; however, with backing from EMI board member John Reed and ACTT Union leader Alan Sapper, he transformed it into a four-wall facility. This change resulted in a reduced permanent workforce limited to administration and dubbing roles while relying heavily on freelance crews due to an increase in location filming and EMI’s diminished production involvement.

Significant films from this period include Sidney Lumet’s Murder on the Orient Express (1974), Ken Russell’s Valentino (1977), Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining (1980), and Fred Zinnemann’s Julia (1977). A pivotal agreement negotiated by Mitchell attracted George Lucas’ Star Wars (1977) to Elstree, leading to sequels and productions from the Indiana Jones franchise being filmed there. This era drew renowned directors such as Steven Spielberg and Jim Henson, marking a peak period for large-scale studio projects before computer-generated imagery became predominant.

In 1979, following financial difficulties including setbacks related to its CT Scanner venture, EMI merged with Thorn Electrical Industries, resulting in the studios being renamed Thorn-EMI Elstree Studios.

Sale, partial demolition, and current status

In 1985, the studios were placed on the market. Initially, a management group backed by Alan Bond succeeded in purchasing the studios but encountered difficulties in securing their portion of the payment, which resulted in Bond assuming full ownership. The following year, he transferred ownership to the Herron-Cannon Group. In 1987, an acquisition attempt by Weintraub Entertainment Group did not materialize. By June 1988, Cannon divested the studios to a property development consortium led by merchant bank Tranwood Earl. Due to apprehensions within the industry, leisure and real estate firm Brent Walker plc entered a joint venture with Tranwood Earl two months later, acquiring the property for £32.5 million. Brent Walker soon acquired Tranwood Earl’s stake entirely, intending to preserve seven out of ten soundstages along with post-production facilities. A significant portion of the backlot was sold off and demolished to facilitate construction of a Tesco supermarket.

In 1988, managing director Andrew Mitchell and local councillor Paul Welsh initiated a "Save Our Studios" campaign, garnering support from actors and the general public. In February 1996, Hertsmere Borough Council purchased the remaining studio assets and appointed Elstree Film & Television Studios Ltd. to oversee operations starting in 2000. This purchase concluded an eight-year legal dispute and reinforced planning protections for the studios. The transfer from Brent Walker to the council was widely regarded as a strategic success in safeguarding studio activities.

Elstree Studios gained recognition as the production site for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and as the location of the Big Brother house, which had previously been situated at Three Mills Studios in East London. The Big Brother house was erected on top of a former underwater stage that featured in films like The Dam Busters (1955) and Moby-Dick (1956). The lease held by Elstree Film & Television Studios Ltd concluded at the end of March 2007.

In 2012, it was announced that during redevelopment work at BBC Television Centre, BBC Studios and Post Production would temporarily relocate to Elstree Studios. Beginning in spring 2013, productions such as Strictly Come Dancing and Pointless were filmed on-site. While plans initially called for BBC operations to return to Television Centre by 2015, delays extended their lease at Elstree until 2017.

Currently managed by Elstree Film Studios Ltd, under the control of Hertsmere Borough Council, the studios maintain ongoing feature film production alongside television programming, commercials, and music videos. Recent projects filmed here include 44 Inch Chest, Bright Star, 1408, Son of Rambow, Amazing Grace, The Other Boleyn Girl, Notes on a Scandal, Breaking and Entering, Flyboys, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. Television productions such as Dancing on Ice and Are You Smarter Than A 10 Year Old? have also been produced here for Sky TV.

On 25 November 2019, Elstree Studios revealed an extended collaboration with BBC Studioworks, ensuring BBC access to studio facilities until at least March 2024.

In December 2023, Hertsmere Borough Council obtained planning approval for demolishing Sound Stages 7, 8, and 9 due to structural issues caused by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete used in their roofing. Replacement buildings are scheduled for construction following demolition completion anticipated in August 2024.

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External links

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