TOURING the BRITISH STUDIOS (50's Series published in Film Review by F.Maurice Speed)

[Stephen Pickard]

1) Shepperton Studios

[flynn]

Thanks Stephen for putting this up. as always enjoyed reading it

[darrenburnfan]

Great job, Stephen, especially for those who, unlike myself, don't have access to these annuals. I have a complete run of Film Review annuals from 1944 to 1963. The tour around Shepperton comes from the 1953 / 54 annual and next one along, if I remember correctly, is Pinewood, the home of J. Arthur Rank.

[Gerald Lovell]

Many thanks for that, Stephen. And so that's what Tony Sforzini and Red Law looked like!

[Stephen Pickard]

Thanks for your comments.
I have reproduced the first two images so you can see them more clearly:

[Stephen Pickard]

Many thanks for that, Stephen. And so that's what Tony Sforzini and Red Law looked like!

I always wondered what Red Law looked like too!

[Stephen Pickard]

Great job, Stephen, especially for those who, unlike myself, don't have access to these annuals. I have a complete run of Film Review annuals from 1944 to 1963. The tour around Shepperton comes from the 1953 / 54 annual and next one along, if I remember correctly, is Pinewood, the home of J. Arthur Rank.

Thanks, Darrenburnfan. Yes, Pinewood is next followed by ABPC and MGM Culver City. Unfortunately these are the only studios they covered.

[alan gowdy]

Another gem from Stephen - keep 'em coming

[Stephen Pickard]

2) Pinewood Studios







Next Week: ABPC

[smudge]

Brilliant features Stephen - thanks for your time and patience in putting these up.

Cheers!

Smudge

[Steve Crook]

2) Pinewood Studios

I was there last October. The old entrance by that sign, through the "rather impressive gateway", is no longer in use as an entrance. You now have to go around the corner to a much less impressive, more modern and functional entrance


The old entrance

The manor house is still there. It's used as a club house now. The garden and that bridge are still there as well, although the bridge is a bit overgrown

3D was the latest gimmick in the 1950s as well. It didn't last long then either

Steve

[Gerald Lovell]

Another face to the name: "Ernie Stewart" is probably Ernest (Ernie) Steward, later a prominent director of photography.

Thanks again, Stephen.

[Stephen Pickard]

ABPC:

[Stephen Pickard]

4) MGM Studios, Culver City, California (excuse slightly off topic) (Final Installment)

[Stephen Pickard]

MGM Culver City had two major back-lots that consisted of many standing sets that dated back to the '30's. By the '70's the lots were used less and less by the studio and eventually were bulldozed and converted into houses. Below are plans of the two major lots. Courtesy of the MGM book published in the late '70's) You will require a magnifying glass to see the names of sets and other details.
First, Lot #2:

Lot #3: