On this day…

Elstree Firsts — A Century of Film & TV

January

  • 2 January
    • 1968 Where Eagles Dare — Principal photography begins. Sets at MGM include the famous cable car sequence. MGM British Studios
  • 3 January
    • 1935 Leslie Fuller takes over Blattner — Leslie Fuller Productions takes over Blattner Studios, and begins a relationship with Joe Rock. Leslie Fuller Studios
  • 6 January
    • 2025 Masters of the Universe — Principal photography begins. Castle Greyskull is created on the backlot. Sky Studios Elstree
  • 7 January
    • 1986 Grange Hill — The first episode of Grange Hill taped at Elstree airs on BBC One. The show would be made here from 1985-2002. BBC Elstree Centre
  • 9 January
    • 1928 Blattner Takes over Ideal — Ludwig Blattner takes over the Ideal Film Company studio. Ideal Film Studios
  • 12 January
    • 1966 2001: A Space Odyssey — Filming of the Moonbus scene takes place on Stage 5. MGM British Studios
  • 16 January
    • 2024 AXA buys BBC Elstree — The BBC sell the studio to AXA, who appoint Oxygen Studios to manage it. BBC Elstree Centre
  • 19 January
    • 1976 The Muppet Show — Taping begins on the first episode, with guest star Connie Stevens. ATV Elstree Studios
  • 22 January
    • 1999 Prince Charles Opens New Stages — The George Lucas Stages are officially opened by Prince Charles. Elstree Studios
  • 24 January
    • 1979 The Shining — A fire burns down Stage 3 during the filming at EMI. Elstree Studios
  • 28 January
    • 2025 Wuthering Heights — Emerald Fennel’s interpretation of the classic novel begins filming. Sky Studios Elstree

February

  • 6 February
    • 1930 Elstree Calling — The first British musical film, co-directed by Alfred Hitchcock, is released in London. Elstree Studios
  • 9 February
    • 1926 Fire Destroys Imperial Studios — A fire destroys Imperial Studios and also three stages at Elstree Studios. Imperial Studios
  • 14 February
    • 2000 Elstree Studios is Renamed — In recognition of the importance of television business, the studio is renamed Elstree Film and Television Studios. Elstree Studios
  • 19 February
    • 1985 EastEnders — The first episode is broadcast on BBC One. BBC Elstree Centre
  • 20 February
    • 2025 EastEnders — A live episode, for the 40th anniversary, saw viewers able to determine part of the story through online voting. BBC Elstree Centre
  • 28 February
    • 2022 EastEnders — The first episode taped on the rebuilt Albert Square lot is broadcast. BBC Elstree Centre

March

  • 1 March
    • 1937 New stages are completed — The two new stages, and music rehearsal stage, at Joe Rock Studios are completed. Joe Rock Studios
  • 5 March
    • 1999 Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? — Taping for the highly successful game show relocates to Stage 9. Elstree Studios
  • 9 March
    • 2023 Duke of Edinburgh Opens Studios — Sky Studios Elstree is officially opened by the Duke of Edinburgh. Sky Studios Elstree
  • 17 March
    • 1950 Queen visits Elstree Studios — Queen Elisabeth and Princess Margaret visit the set of The Magic Box on Stage 2. Elstree Studios
  • 19 March
    • 1936 Fireproof Paint Demonstrated — A month after the B&D fire, a new fireproof paint “Porcilla” is demonstrated Elstree Studios
  • 21 March
    • 1928 Moulin Rouge — UK premiere. The film is a “sound drama film” with synchronised music and sound effects, but no dialogue. Elstree Studios
  • 24 March
    • 1960 School for Scoundrels — This classic comedy has its UK premiere. Elstree Studios
  • 29 March
    • 2022 Holby City Ends — The last ever episode of Holby City, taped mostly in Neptune House since 1999, airs on BBC One. BBC Elstree Centre

April

  • 2 April
    • 1976 Star Wars — First day of shooting begins at EMI. Elstree Studios
  • 3 April
    • 1967 East End Market at ATV — Market in Honey Lane, an East End of London-based soap (sound familiar?) is first broadcast. ATV Elstree Studios
  • 6 April
    • 1926 Borehamwood’s First Cinema — “Studio Kinema” is opened, the first cinema in Borehamwood, by Leslie Fuller.
  • 9 April
    • 1969 Bryan Forbes is appointed — Bryan Forbes becomes Managing Director for almost two years. Elstree Studios
  • 15 April
    • 1985 Labyrinth Begins Filming — Principal photography begins at the studios. The Goblin City set was built on Stage 6. Elstree Studios
  • 24 April
    • 1970 MGM Closes — MGM closes their studio, and briefly merges with EMI for a year. MGM British Studios
  • 25 April
    • 1986 Alan Bond buys Elstree Studios — Australian Alan Bond buys Elstree Studios from Thorn-EMI for £125m. Elstree Studios
  • 28 April
    • 1969 UFO lands! — UFO begins filming its first episode. It also uses the nearby ATV as a location. MGM British Studios

May

  • 2 May
    • 1986 Cannon buys Elstree Studios — Cannon Films buys Elstree Studios for £175m. The studios are no longer British owned. Elstree Studios
  • 10 May
    • 2024 Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy — Principal photography begins. Bridget’s home is built as a set inside the studios. Sky Studios Elstree
  • 13 May
    • 1929 Royal Visit to the Studios — The Duke and Duchess of York visit British International Pictures. Elstree Studios
  • 16 May
    • 1955 The Dam Busters — The classic WW2 film is released in the UK. The theme music by Eric Coates was featured in the London 2012 Olympic opening. Elstree Studios
  • 24 May
    • 2002 Big Brother is Watching! — Big Brother moves to Elstree for its third series, with the house built in the former Moby Dick water tank. Elstree Studios

June

  • 4 June
    • 2025 Royal Visit for the Centenary — Prince Edward kicks off the centenary celebrations with a visit to the studio. Elstree Studios
  • 12 June
    • 1995 Brent Walker sells to Hertsmere — One week before a High Court hearing, Brent Walker sells to Hertsmere Borough Council for £1.9m.
  • 13 June
    • 1978 Will Shakespeare — A historic set with Globe Theatre is created from the former Claypole set, for this biographical drama starring Tim Curry. ATV Elstree Studios
  • 17 June
    • 2024 Jurassic World: Rebirth — The fourth Jurassic World film begins principal photography. A huge cliff wall is built on the backlot. Sky Studios Elstree

July

  • 4 July
    • 1988 Tranwood Earl buys Elstree Studios — Merchant bank Tranwood Earl leads a consortium to buy from Cannon for £32.5m. Elstree Studios
  • 9 July
    • 1988 SOS Campaign is Founded — The Save Our Studios campaign begins, to stop the studio closing down. Elstree Studios
  • 12 July
    • 1934 Elstree Studios founder dies — JD Williams dies at the age of 57. Elstree Studios
  • 16 July
    • 1968 Goodbye, Mr. Chips — Principal photography begins. MGM British Studios
  • 20 July
    • 1964 Operation Crossbow! — Principal photography begins. MGM British Studios
  • 21 July
    • 2015 The Crown begins taping — Epic historical drama The Crown begins taping. A replica of Downing Street and Buckingham Palace is built on the newly cleared backlot. Elstree Studios
  • 22 July
    • 2022 Platinum Stages Open — The two new Platinum Stages open, with Universal taking a lease for five years. Elstree Studios
  • 28 July
    • 1929 Blackmail is released — The first British “talkie”, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, is released. Elstree Studios
  • 29 July
    • 1983 Central shuts down ATV — Central Television ends 23 years of use of the studio by ATV and Central. ATV Elstree Studios
  • 30 July
    • 1981 Raiders is Released — Raiders of the Lost Ark is released, having been filmed on location and at Elstree Studios. Elstree Studios

August

  • 7 August
    • 2012 BBC leases Elstree stages — BBC Studios and Post Production takes a lease on Stages 8, 9 and GL2. Elstree Studios
  • 14 August
    • 1941 Warner Bros buys 25% stake — Catherine Maxwell sells half of her shares to Warner Bros for £900,000. Elstree Studios
  • 17 August
    • 1933 The Private Life of Henry VIII — Charles Laughton’s film is released in the UK. It would go on to win the first Academy Award for a Borehamwood studio. Imperial Studios
  • 20 August
    • 1928 Champagne — This Hitchcock silent comedy has its UK premiere screening, but receives poor reviews. Elstree Studios
  • 22 August
    • 1980 The Muppet Show Ends — The last day of taping, on Studio D, after five years. One notable sketch includes a short-sighted knife thrower called Signor Baffi. He was named after the restaurant in Borehamwood high street. ATV Elstree Studios

September

  • 1 September
    • 1988 Brent Walker takes control — Brent Walker Group takes full control of Elstree Studios, including a £19m deal to sell half the site to Tesco. Elstree Studios
  • 5 September
    • 1991 Top of the Pops — The first episode from Borehamwood is broadcast. BBC Elstree Centre
  • 7 September
    • 2013 Strictly Moves to Elstree — Strictly Come Dancing transfers to the George Lucas Stage for it’s eleventh series. Elstree Studios
  • 10 September
    • 2013 The Mound Clearance Begins — Work begins to clear the asbestos mound on the backlot of the studio. Elstree Studios
  • 11 September
    • 1977 Peace on Earth — David Bowie and Bing Crosby record their duet “Peace on Earth / Little Drummer Boy” for Crosby's television special Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas. ATV Elstree Studios
  • 12 September
    • 2013 Paddington arrives — Principal photography begins at the studios with sets including the Brown family home. Elstree Studios
  • 14 September
    • 1958 The Invisible Man — The first episode of this HG Wells adaptation is broadcast on ATV London. ATV Elstree Studios
  • 15 September
    • 1958 The Adventures of William Tell — The first UK broadcast of this adventure series takes place on ATV Midlands. ATV Elstree Studios
  • 26 September
    • 2025 Stages 7, 8 and 9 Reopen — After two years of closure, the stages reopen with Rudolph Walker. Elstree Studios
  • 30 September
    • 1933 ABC and BIP Merge — Elstree Studios becomes ABPC through a merger with the ABC Cinema company. Elstree Studios

October

  • 1 October
    • 1973 Andrew Mitchell becomes MD — Andrew Mitchell, longest serving Managing Director, starts at Elstree. Elstree Studios
  • 2 October
    • 1940 John Maxwell Dies — Managing Director John Maxwell dies unexpectedly at age 63, passing his 50% shares to his wife Catherine. Elstree Studios
  • 3 October
    • 1966 Stages 7, 8 and 9 Open — New stages, built for television production, open. Elstree Studios
  • 12 October
    • 1951 Ivanhoe — Filming on the Ivanhoe castle set is completed. The castle remained for many years. MGM British Studios
  • 13 October
    • 1966 The Dirty Dozen — Filming ends on this Robert Aldrich film. A huge chateau is built and blown up on the backlot. MGM British Studios
  • 14 October
    • 1966 Blowup — Filming on a replica of the Ricky-Tick club finishes after a few days, featuring The Yardbirds. Elstree Studios
  • 16 October
    • 1979 Thorn buys EMI — Thorn Electronics buys EMI for £160m. The new company is called Thorn-EMI. Elstree Studios

November

  • 2 November
    • 1973 Barbra Streisand and Other Musical Intsruments — The five time Emmy-award musical special premieres on US television; having been taped on Studio D at ATV. ATV Elstree Studios
  • 10 November
    • 1975 Bohemian Rhapsody — The iconic Queen music video is taped on Stage 5 at EMI which is leased at the time to Paul McCartney. Elstree Studios
  • 18 November
    • 1963 A Shot in the Dark — Principal photography begins on A Shot in the Dark. A large chateau and a nudist colony set are built for the production. MGM British Studios
  • 20 November
    • 2000 First Millionaire Winner! — Judith Keppel became the first million-pound winner of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Elstree Studios
  • 29 November
    • 1960 The Man Condemned — The first production to be made on the freshly converted Studio D. Studio C would reopen the following January. ATV Elstree Studios

December

  • 5 December
    • 1958 The Inn of the Sixth Happiness — The film, which saw an entire Chinese village built on the studio backlot, has its UK release. MGM British Studios
  • 9 December
    • 2022 Wicked Begins — Filming begins on the two-part film Wicked Sky Studios Elstree
  • 15 December
    • 1925 Elstree Studios is announced — JD Williams and Herbert Wilcox announce their intention to build Elstree Studios Elstree Studios
  • 28 December
    • 1926 Official opening — Elstree Studios opens as British National Pictures Elstree Studios