Will Hay, Britain’s greatest film comedian
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Gainsborough Studios
This is a QuickTime VR panorama of Gainsborough Studios in Poole Street, Hackney, London, N1. It was photographed digitally in September 1999.
In order to view it, you will need Apple’s QuickTime software, available here. You may already have QuickTime installed, but having the latest version is always a good idea.
The building was originally a power station for the Metropolitan Railway. It was converted into studios in the 1920s where many great British films were made, including the early Hitchcock films and, of course, most of Will Hay’s. After being derelict for many years, the building is being converted into apartments. An exhibition was held inside in 1999 showing the plans and the history of the studios. More information about the development is available here.
It is now 2002, and the project is nearing completion, and it looks quite different. I have a few more photos:
This is a “blue” plaque outside the main building. It reads:
London Borough of Hackney
The Gainsborough Film Studios
1924Æ1949
Alfred Hitchcock, Michael Balcon, Ivor Novello, Gracie Fields, “The Lady Vanishes”, “The Wicked Lady” worked and were filmed here.
No mention of Will Hay, and only one plaque for all of that! Cf. Teddington studios where every notable person to perform there is rewarded with his own special place on the wall. Disappointing.
Below is a photo of the remnants of the once great Gainsborough roundel, on the side of the old power station. No doubt it is due to be refurbished with the rest of the building.
