| Ealing is the
unlikely home to the oldest film studio in the world.
Ealing Studios are steeped in history, and fascinating
tales lurk around the corner of every lot and in every
dressing room.
Ealing Studios [map]
has survived many monumental changes in film history
from the advent of the “talkie” to the recent
digital revolution, as well as two world wars, whilst
continuing to entertain the British people and the world.
Will Barker, a pioneer of British cinema, acquired
the site in 1902. Basil Dean, owner of Associated Talking
Pictures took over from Barker in the early 1930s and
Ealing Studios was established. In 1938, Michael Balcon
joined Dean as Head of Production and the golden
era of Ealing Studios began.
This bountiful period of creativity would last until
the late 1950s and create some of Ealing’s
best loved productions including The Ladykillers, The Lavender Hill Mob, Passport to Pimlico and Kind Hearts and Coronets. It was during this
period that Ealing brought the likes of Alec Guinness, Cecil Parker, Katie Johnson and Peter
Sellers to the big screen.
The BBC bought the Studios in 1959 and they spent
the next 20 years creating television productions from
Ealing Studios such as Colditz, The Singing
Detective and Fortunes of War.
The Studios were acquired in mid-2000 by Uri Fruchtmann,
Barnaby Thompson, Harry Handelsman and John Kao. Together
these partners aim to rebuild the Studios with a vision
that brings film, technology and property expertise
together in order to revive and continue the outstanding
quality of past productions made here at Ealing.
Ealing Studios has recently accommodated high profile
films including An Ideal Husband, Notting
Hill
, Star Wars – Episode 2, Lucky
Break and The Importance of Being Earnest.
And recent television productions include The Royle
Family (Granada), Bedtime (HatTrick), Randall
and Hopkirk Deceased (Ghost) and Emma Brody (20 Century Fox).
Ealing Studios is an integral part of the nearby community
and offers adult film workshops, children’s theatre
workshops and a range of organized tours and facilities
Ealing Studios is based at Ealing Green, W5. Tours and
film workshops are strictly by appointment.
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