Shepperton Studios

Known as the cradle for so many independent films in British movie history and home to some revolutionary filmmakers, Shepperton Studios is among the most successful film production companies in England.

The history of Shepperton Studios started in 1931 when a successful Scottish businessman named Norman Loudon bought Littleton Park which was once owned by local noble man, Thomas Wood. Its locaated near the beautiful Ash River at Shepperton and has a total of 60 acres. 

Norman Loudon was the owner of a successful camera business known as “Flicker Productions” which manufactured small flicker books and photographs. With this type of business, Loudon manage to compliment his creative mind and apply it to the film industry. From then, Littleton Park became the seat of his career in film industry. In 1932, he founded the Sound City Film Producing and Recording studios which produced three shorts for MGM and two features such as Watch Beverly and Reunion.

In 1934, with growing popularity and a need for additional facilities, the studio underwent some renovations and was temporarily closed until it opened again in 1936. The new features of the studio included seven sound stages, twelve cutting rooms, three viewing theatres, scene docks and workshops, while the old house was refurnished to provide hotel and restaurant facilities. Among the best remembered movie ever produced at this studio in the 1930’s was the play written by Terrence Rattigan entitled French Without Tears (1939).

The studio suffered its first downfall with the outbreak of World War II.  The whole place was devastated greatly by the stray bombs coming from German aircrafts intended primarily for the destruction of Vickers-Armstrong aircraft factory which was located a few miles from the studio. The war resulted in the stoppage of film production at the studio and most of its creative craftsmen went to work for the Ministry of Defense and used their skills in creating replicas of aircrafts that were used as decoys, fake guns and landing strips.

After four years of discontinuance, Norman Loudon who is about to retire announced the reopening of the six stage studio of Sound City in 1945. In the same year, Sir Alexander Korda who was gaining great control over MGM acquired 74 percent controlling interest over Sound City and later in 1946; the Sound City was renamed as the British Lion Studio company under the sole supervision of Sir Alexander Korda.
Among the first films produced and directed by Sir Alexander Korda himself is an adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband (1947).  The 1940’s were great years for the Korda regime. The new regime incurred from the National Film Finance Corporation (NNFC) a long term loan that amounted to £3,000,000, British Lion Production suffered a big production loss in 1950 and was put under pressure in 1954 when NNFC called in their loan, appointing a receiver and manager. For this reason, British Lion Films Limited was formed to take charge of the assets of its insolvent forerunner.  During this period through to the 1960’s produced films  reflected great influences by independent producers rather than the paternal dominance of the late Sir Alexander Korda. Among these movies are The Angry Silence and The L Shaped Room that echoed the economic and social changes of the 1950’s and 1960’s.
1964, the company suffered another financial crisis. The government had no choice but to sell the company’s asset to a private investment group headed by Michael Balcon. After one year Lord Goodman succeeded Balcon. The regime of Goodman is  considered as the Golden period of the studio for the notable movies that were produced under his management. Among these films were The Pink Panther and The Day of the Jackal (1973).
More excellent films continued to be produced at Shepperton Studios such as The Elephant Man (1980), The Missionary (1982) and The Company of Wolves (1984). From 1990 to 1998 the famous BBC hit sitcom “Red Dwarf” was filmed at Shepperton Studios.  Ownership would change again in  January 1995, brothers Ridley and Tony Scott headed a consortium that purchased Shepperton Studios.
In 2001, Pinewood Studios bought Shepperton Studios to attract big budget film-makers. Both studious retained their individual trading identities despite the merger.
By 2004, Pinewood Shepperton had become highly competent and gained top ranking on the London Stock exchange. A year later, they acquired Teddington Studios.
Today, Pinewood Shepperton is considered to be the largest media park in Europe with a total of 41 stages, including ten digital TV studios, audio post facilities, preview theatres, back lots, gardens and woodland for outdoor shooting.