The resurrection of Elstree Film Studios was given the royal seal of approval in January when the Prince of Wales opened their new sound stages - the highest in the UK.
The two new stages, each measuring nearly 16,000 square feet in floor space and 70 feet high, are complete with dressing rooms and production offices. They are part of a 10 million investment in a refurbishing and rebuilding programme currently underway by Hertsmere Borough Council, who purchased the facility from Brent Walker in February 1996 after an acrimonious wrangle with the company, which had been intent on closing it down. The studio is unique insofar as it is owned by a local authority.
The aim of the council is to assist the British film industry, help regenerate the area and to create training schemes in conjunction with local universities.
The Prince of Wales was met by the Prince of Darkness, Darth Vader at Darth's true home - Elstree was the studio where the original 'Star Wars' trilogy was made. He was also greeted by 92-year old Eric Cross, who started at the studio when it opened in 1926 and remembers the first royal visit by King George and Queen Mary in 1934 to watch filming on various productions including 'Blossom Time' with Richard Tauber.
But in 1999, Prince Charles was able to visit the set of a new television drama by Carlton called 'Easy Listening', and see award-winning Neal Scanlon's animatronics.
(reprinted from Stage Screen & Radio)