Elstree Calling

One of the dressing rooms at Elstree Studios. Photo: © Elstree Studios Ltd.

In the Seventies, actor Robin Askwith appeared in film such as Carry On Girls, Bless this House (both made at Pinewood Studios) and the four Confessions films made at Elstree Studios. At the end of 2007, Robin told me how much affection he has for Elstree Studios:

Paul: What recollections do you have of life at Elstree?

Robin: The atmosphere at the studios was tremendous. Whether it was Tom on the gate or Andrew Mitchell, the managing director, nothing was too much trouble. From the first day, I was made to feel completely at home.

Because of all the films I made there, I virtually lived at the studios for five years.

There was always a great atmosphere in the bar, although I often used to go to the restaurant at lunchtime so I could learn my lines.

Paul: When did you first work at the studios?

Robin: When I appeared in an episode of Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased). I also played a villain in an episode of the children's series, The Double Deckers.

Paul: Greg Smith, the producer of the Confessions films, told me you used to take part in the five-a-side football matches on Stages 3 or 4 during the lunch breaks. Do you remember these?

Robin: Yes, and during the making of Confessions of a Pop Performer, I ended up with a slight limp after an accident during one such match.

Paul: When you were making Confessions of a Window Cleaner, your friend, the actor Robin O'Sullivan, was working at Elstree on the film version of Man About the House. Did you socialise in the evenings after filming?

Robin: Yes, one night Richard stayed at my house and when we simultaneously departed to the studios the next morning, we unwittingly took each other's scripts. But because we were both working at Elstree, it was just a case of getting a studio runner to surreptitiously swap the scripts.

Paul: Do you remember when Star Wars was being made at the studios?

Robin: At the time, we all used to joke about the film, no-one thought it was going to be a success. I can remember being introduced to Harrison Ford in the restaurant by the director of Confessions of a Pop Performer, Norman Cohen.

In fact, Dave Prowse, who played Darth Vader in the Star Wars series, played a very small role in Confessions of a Window Cleaner.

Paul: How would you sum up your feelings about your time working at Elstree Studios?

Robin: They were very happy times working at the studios and, because of the Confessions films, I don't think anyone hasever simulated making love as many times as I did at Elstree Studios. I belive I set a record that will never be beaten.

My special thanks go to Robin Askwith for his time and help.

Please click the following link to buy Robin Askwith's autobiography, The Confesssions of Robin Askwith

Please click the following link to buy the Confessions Films on DVD

© Paul Burton 2008

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