1968Where Eagles Dare
— Principal photography begins. Sets at MGM include the famous cable car sequence. MGM British Studios
3 January
1935Leslie Fuller takes over Blattner
— Leslie Fuller Productions takes over Blattner Studios, and begins a relationship with Joe Rock. Leslie Fuller Studios
6 January
2025Masters of the Universe
— Principal photography begins. Castle Greyskull is created on the backlot. Sky Studios Elstree
9 January
1928Blattner Takes over Ideal
— Ludwig Blattner takes over the Ideal Film Company studio. Ideal Film Studios
12 January
19662001: A Space Odyssey
— Filming of the Moonbus scene takes place on Stage 5. MGM British Studios
16 January
2024AXA buys BBC Elstree
— The BBC sell the studio to AXA, who appoint Oxygen Studios to manage it. BBC Elstree Centre
19 January
1976The Muppet Show
— Taping begins on the first episode, with guest star Connie Stevens. ATV Elstree Studios
22 January
1999Prince Charles Opens New Stages
— The George Lucas Stages are officially opened by Prince Charles. Elstree Studios
24 January
1979The Shining
— A fire burns down Stage 3 during the filming at EMI. Elstree Studios
28 January
2025Wuthering Heights
— Emerald Fennel’s interpretation of the classic novel begins filming. Sky Studios Elstree
February
6 February
1930Elstree Calling
— The first British musical film, co-directed by Alfred Hitchcock, is released in London. Elstree Studios
9 February
1926Fire Destroys Imperial Studios
— A fire destroys Imperial Studios and also three stages at Elstree Studios. Imperial Studios
14 February
2000Elstree Studios is Renamed
— In recognition of the importance of television business, the studio is renamed Elstree Film and Television Studios. Elstree Studios
17 February
1961The Long and The Short and The Tall
— The war film starring Richard Todd and Richard Harris is released. Elstree Studios
18 February
1985Grange 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
19 February
1985EastEnders
— The first episode is broadcast on BBC One. BBC Elstree Centre
20 February
2025EastEnders
— A live episode, for the 40th anniversary, saw viewers able to determine part of the story through online voting. BBC Elstree Centre
28 February
2022EastEnders
— The first episode taped on the rebuilt Albert Square lot is broadcast. BBC Elstree Centre
March
1 March
1937New stages are completed
— The two new stages, and music rehearsal stage, at Joe Rock Studios are completed. Joe Rock Studios
5 March
1999Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
— Taping for the highly successful game show relocates to Stage 9. Elstree Studios
9 March
2023Duke of Edinburgh Opens Studios
— Sky Studios Elstree is officially opened by the Duke of Edinburgh. Sky Studios Elstree
17 March
1950Queen visits Elstree Studios
— Queen Elisabeth and Princess Margaret visit the set of The Magic Box on Stage 2. Elstree Studios
19 March
1936Fireproof Paint Demonstrated
— A month after the B&D fire, a new fireproof paint “Porcilla” is demonstrated Elstree Studios
21 March
1928Moulin Rouge
— UK premiere. The film is a “sound drama film” with synchronised music and sound effects, but no dialogue. Elstree Studios
24 March
1960School for Scoundrels
— This classic comedy has its UK premiere. Elstree Studios
29 March
2022Holby 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
1976Star Wars
— First day of shooting begins at EMI. Elstree Studios
3 April
1967East 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
1926Borehamwood’s First Cinema
— “Studio Kinema” is opened, the first cinema in Borehamwood, by Leslie Fuller.
9 April
1969Bryan Forbes is appointed
— Bryan Forbes becomes Managing Director for almost two years. Elstree Studios
15 April
1985Labyrinth Begins Filming
— Principal photography begins at the studios. The Goblin City set was built on Stage 6. Elstree Studios
24 April
1970MGM Closes
— MGM closes their studio, and briefly merges with EMI for a year. MGM British Studios
25 April
1986Alan Bond buys Elstree Studios
— Australian Alan Bond buys Elstree Studios from Thorn-EMI for £125m. Elstree Studios
28 April
1969UFO lands!
— UFO begins filming its first episode. It also uses the nearby ATV as a location. MGM British Studios
May
2 May
1986Cannon buys Elstree Studios
— Cannon Films buys Elstree Studios for £175m. The studios are no longer British owned. Elstree Studios
10 May
2024Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy
— Principal photography begins. Bridget’s home is built as a set inside the studios. Sky Studios Elstree
13 May
1929Royal Visit to the Studios
— The Duke and Duchess of York visit British International Pictures. Elstree Studios
16 May
1955The 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
2002Big 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
2025Royal Visit for the Centenary
— Prince Edward kicks off the centenary celebrations with a visit to the studio. Elstree Studios
12 June
1995Brent Walker sells to Hertsmere
— One week before a High Court hearing, Brent Walker sells to Hertsmere Borough Council for £1.9m.
13 June
1978Will 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
2024Jurassic 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
1988Tranwood Earl buys Elstree Studios
— Merchant bank Tranwood Earl leads a consortium to buy from Cannon for £32.5m. Elstree Studios
9 July
1988SOS Campaign is Founded
— The Save Our Studios campaign begins, to stop the studio closing down. Elstree Studios
12 July
1934Elstree Studios founder dies
— JD Williams dies at the age of 57. Elstree Studios
16 July
1968Goodbye, Mr. Chips
— Principal photography begins. MGM British Studios
20 July
1964Operation Crossbow!
— Principal photography begins. MGM British Studios
21 July
2015The 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
2022Platinum Stages Open
— The two new Platinum Stages open, with Universal taking a lease for five years. Elstree Studios
28 July
1929Blackmail is released
— The first British “talkie”, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, is released. Elstree Studios
29 July
1983Central shuts down ATV
— Central Television ends 23 years of use of the studio by ATV and Central. ATV Elstree Studios
30 July
1981Raiders is Released
— Raiders of the Lost Ark is released, having been filmed on location and at Elstree Studios. Elstree Studios
August
7 August
2012BBC leases Elstree stages
— BBC Studios and Post Production takes a lease on Stages 8, 9 and GL2. Elstree Studios
14 August
1941Warner Bros buys 25% stake
— Catherine Maxwell sells half of her shares to Warner Bros for £900,000. Elstree Studios
17 August
1933The 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
1928Champagne
— This Hitchcock silent comedy has its UK premiere screening, but receives poor reviews. Elstree Studios
22 August
1980The 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
1988Brent 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
1991Top of the Pops
— The first episode from Borehamwood is broadcast. BBC Elstree Centre
7 September
2013Strictly Moves to Elstree
— Strictly Come Dancing transfers to the George Lucas Stage for it’s eleventh series. Elstree Studios
10 September
2013The Mound Clearance Begins
— Work begins to clear the asbestos mound on the backlot of the studio. Elstree Studios
11 September
1977Peace 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
2013Paddington arrives
— Principal photography begins at the studios with sets including the Brown family home. Elstree Studios
14 September
1958The Invisible Man
— The first episode of this HG Wells adaptation is broadcast on ATV London. ATV Elstree Studios
15 September
1958The Adventures of William Tell
— The first UK broadcast of this adventure series takes place on ATV Midlands. ATV Elstree Studios
26 September
2025Stages 7, 8 and 9 Reopen
— After two years of closure, the stages reopen with Rudolph Walker. Elstree Studios
30 September
1933ABC and BIP Merge
— Elstree Studios becomes ABPC through a merger with the ABC Cinema company. Elstree Studios
October
1 October
1973Andrew Mitchell becomes MD
— Andrew Mitchell, longest serving Managing Director, starts at Elstree. Elstree Studios
2 October
1940John Maxwell Dies
— Managing Director John Maxwell dies unexpectedly at age 63, passing his 50% shares to his wife Catherine. Elstree Studios
3 October
1966Stages 7, 8 and 9 Open
— New stages, built for television production, open. Elstree Studios
12 October
1951Ivanhoe
— Filming on the Ivanhoe castle set is completed. The castle remained for many years. MGM British Studios
13 October
1966The 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
1966Blowup
— Filming on a replica of the Ricky-Tick club finishes after a few days, featuring The Yardbirds. Elstree Studios
16 October
1979Thorn buys EMI
— Thorn Electronics buys EMI for £160m. The new company is called Thorn-EMI. Elstree Studios
November
2 November
1973Barbra 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
1975Bohemian 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
1963A 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
2000First Millionaire Winner!
— Judith Keppel became the first million-pound winner of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Elstree Studios
23 November
1964The Avengers moves to Elstree Studios
— The first episode of series 4 of The Avengers, and the first to be filmed at Elstree Studios, begins filming on this day. It was partially filmed with Elizabeth Shepherd, before being remounted after Diana Rigg was cast in the role of Emma Peel. Elstree Studios
29 November
1960The 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
4 December
1985Young Sherlock Holmes
— Barry Levinson’s film was released on this date. A cobbled victorian street and an Egyptian pyramid were built by the production team. Elstree Studios
5 December
1958The 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
2022Wicked Begins
— Filming begins on the two-part film Wicked Sky Studios Elstree
15 December
1925Elstree Studios is announced
— JD Williams and Herbert Wilcox announce their intention to build Elstree Studios Elstree Studios
28 December
1926Official opening
— Elstree Studios opens as British National Pictures Elstree Studios
