Hitchcock Chronology: Islington Studios, London

Entries in the Hitchcock Chronology relating to Islington Studios, London...

1919

April

• The US film company Famous Players-Lasky announces that it plans to open studios in the UK and development work begins in October 1919 at a new studio complex in Islington, London. Islington Studios are officially opened in May 1920.

1920

May

• 6th - Famous Players-Lasky's new Islington Studios is officially opened. It is regarded as being the most technically advanced studio in the country.
• 18th - The Times newspaper carries an article about Famous Players-Lasky's new Islington Studios, describing the large water tank (used for underwater filming) and detailing the ingenious method by which the studios can overcome the notorious London fog, should it enter the building.

1921

• Alma Reville, who had spent the previous six years working for the London Film Company based in Twickenham, begins working at Famous Players-Lasky's Islington Studios in early 1921 as the Floor Secretary to actor-director Donald Crisp.

April

• 27th - Hitchcock begins working full-time for Famous Players-Lasky British Producers Limited at their Islington Studios.

1923

January

• Director Hugh Croise leases space at the Islington Studios to film Always Tell Your Wife. When Croise falls ill, Seymour Hicks asks Hitchcock up to complete the film.

May

• The filming of Woman to Woman takes place at Islington Studios. This is followed by the filming of [the White Shadow>>.

1926

February

• 24th - The Daily Mail reports that "an army of painters of carpenters" are busy working at Gainsborough Studios in preparation for filming to begin on The Lodger and that Hitchcock "is out daily with his camera man in search of coffee-stalls, bits of the Embankment, and street corners for the exterior scenes of this new London murder mystery".