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Source: Digital Spy |
I mention this as a side note to introducing you to another piece of Shepherd's Bush history, soon to be televised in The Hour, which features aforementioned Bush resident Mr West. It is a drama set in 1956 in what was once Lime Grove Studios, which very sadly no longer exist. The Hour is written around fictional program The Hour at Lime Grove which was at the centre of a news revolution; the reporting of the (not at all fictional) 1956 Suez Crisis.
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Source: Bafta |
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Source: Guardian |
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Source: Telegraph |
Opened in 1915, when Lime Grove wasn't the through road between Goldhawk Road and Uxbridge Road, that it is now, the studios housed BBC TV studios from 1949 until 1991. They were demolished in 1993. It was a purpose built studio featuring a tall glass stage area which towered over nearby streets. When the road became primarily residential it apparently stuck out considerably. Prior to this the vast space was used by the Gaumont Film Company where many successful and iconic films were shot including The 39 Steps and The Wicked Lady.
I could go on bringing together scraps of fascinating history I have found online but instead I will refer you to this site History of TV Studios which has painstakingly pulled together first hand accounts and photographs of not just Lime Grove but many other television and film studios in and around Shepherd's Bush.
Here are some spectacular photographs of Lime Grove as it was.
All photos from History of Television Studios.
We have seen Mr West in the Princess Victoria on Uxbridge Road a few times. I always have to be careful not to say an Wireisms loudly in my excitement!
ReplyDeleteI have recorded The Hour. Will have to give it a watch.
And guess where I'll be every evening from now on...
ReplyDeleteBird x