On this day in 2015, Paddington opened in US cinemas — following its UK (and Peruvian!) release in November 2014.
While many parts of the film were shot on location — including forests in Costa Rica and London landmarks such as Paddington Station and the Natural History Museum — Elstree Studios also became home to the little bear from Darkest Peru, with filming taking place on the George Lucas Stages 1 and 2, as well as the historic Stage 7 at Elstree Studios.
Sets built at Elstree Studios included the Browns’ house, the Geographers’ Guild, and the delightful doll’s house sequence, which presents the entire Brown family in an overview of their busy and eclectic home.
Although the exterior of 32 Windsor Gardens is a real London location — Chalcot Crescent in Primrose Hill — the interiors were entirely created at Elstree. They are the imaginative work of Production Designer Gary Williamson, alongside Art Directors Steven Lawrence, Su Whitaker, Eric Víquez, and Justin Warburton-Brown.
A particularly thoughtful detail is the use of colour motifs throughout the house. Mary’s room is rich in warm reds and earthy tones, reflecting her openness and emotional warmth, while Henry’s office is rendered in cooler grey-blue hues — subtly signalling his more reserved nature, and the fact that he takes a little longer to warm to Paddington than the rest of the family, as stated by Williamson in an interview with 3 Story Magazine.
Paddington is perfect example of how British studio craft at Elstree beautfully underpins one of the most loved family films of the last decade, and proof that Elstree can still produce worldwide box office magic from the heart of Borehamwood.
