'Elstree Studios'

Elstree studio is a complex attached to the small town with the same name, Elstree is often referred to as "British Hollywood".   Elstree actual refers to a total of several studios in all that were built at different times and are in different locations. Boreham and Elstree..  Of the Six only one is located in Elstree.  These studios combined contribute to produce the biggest and most flamboyant film community in British film industry. 

In 1927 a newly formed production company name British International Pictures bought Elstree Studio and had a purpose built studio which was ready for use by 1928. They were responsible for Alfred Hitchcock moving from Gainsborough Studio and in 1929 Alfred Hitchcock’s’ Blackmail, which was Britain’s first talkie was produced.  Whilst at Elstree Hitchcock’s silent movies where created in the style that his movies became famous for.  By the 1930’s BIP had been absorbed by Associated British Picture Corporation.

After the death of silent movies the construction of six sound stages and British and Dominions Film Corporation purchased three of these and ABP Corp retained the other three.
As World War II came, Elstree studio ended up being closed and used for storage and it was afterwards in 1946 that Warner Brothers who had bought a large interest in ABP Corp made the decision to rebuild the stages and this was completed by 1948. 

By 1968 Elstree Studio was once again being acquired by another company, Electrical and Musical Industries purchased control of the ABP Studios and renamed them EMI, who were then merged with Thorn Electrical Industries and renamed again to Thorn-Emi Studios.  A few years later the newly renamed studios were having difficulties and so in 1985 it was put up for sale, a management group which included Alan Bond bought the studios but because the other members of the group struggled to put up their share of the price Alan Bond took over.  It was short lived though and he sold out to Herron-Cannon Group.

During these turbulent years though some the most famous movies were produced at Elstree Studios, including the Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies.
During the eighties bought more ownership changes, Herron-Cannon sold to Brent Walker PLC and they sold most of the backlot and a Tesco Supermarket was build on its land.  Due to a “Save our Studios” campaign the Hertsmere Borough Council bought the remaining studio in February 1996.

Despite its many changes over the years, Elstree studio has triumphed over obstacles and has continued to produce extraordinary movies.