Elstree Calling

The George Lucas Stage, Elstree Stuidos. Photo: © Elstree Studios Ltd.

John Shepherd started working at Elstree Studios when it was called A.B.P.C. (Associated British Pictures Corporation), in 1959.

Starting as an accoutant, he eventually went on to become general manager of the studios before leaving during Brent Walker's period of ownership in 1991.

I was delighted to meet John for the first time while on a visit I helped arrange for him to the studios (his first since 1991) in September 2007.

We toured various parts of the site, including the Preview Theatre and the Andrew Micthell Building, and it was a obviously a very emotional visit for John.

I also felt quite emotional during our time together as he recalled his memories of the studios.

Paul: What were the studios like when you first started working there?

John: When I joined ABPC there was a permanent time of 500 people working in various departments.

Paul: Were you involved in the production of the Cliff Richard film, Summer Holiday, in any way?

John: I remember the five or six weeks I spent in Greece, based in Athens, for Summer Holiday.

Despite the film being called Summer Holiday, it actually rained on the first day of filming. I also recall that Cliff and the cast were very much part of the team.

Paul: What would you say were the best times you experienced when you worked at Elstree?

John: It was always great to have all of the sound stages occupied and enjoy the buzz every lunchtime in the restaurant. At our peak we had ten sound stages, now there are only three stages (Stages 7, 8 & 9) left of the original. We also had super cutting rooms and the best dubbing theatre.

Paul: The seventies proved to be quite a challenger for the studios. What do you remember of this period?

John: In the early Seventies, EMI boss Bernard Delfont gave the studios one year's grace before closure. The number of stff was greatly reduced and only three stages remained open.

Then we had a visit from George Lucas and Gary Kurtz to discuss the renting of the stages for Star Wars. Andrew Micthell (the then managing director) and I agreed a deal with George and Gary and the closed stages were re-opened. The rest is history.

When plans for The Empire Strikes Back were made, Lucas required a huge new stage and Bernard Delfont and EMI gave permission for this to be built, and Stage 6 was born. This is the stage which was taken down and re-built at Shepperton Studios in the Nineties.

Paul: How did you find life at the studios once Brent Walker took over in 1988?

The Brent Walker days started well, but it soon became apparent that they were property developers. The eventual demolition of teh mjor part of the studios was very upsetting and seeing the front administration building coming down was especially sad.

However, I was very lucky to have worked at the studios, even through the difficult times, I realise how wonderful it all was.

My special thanks go to John Shepherd for his time and help.

© Paul Burton 2008

Please do not use any part of this interview without first contacting Paul Burton to request permission.