Ealing Studios

Richard E. Grant on Ealing Comedies (2016)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Richard E. Grant standing in front of a white background, writing says Richard E Grant on...Ealing Comedies

Richard E. Grant on Ealing Comedies © UKTV

Production Company: Phil MacIntyre TV

Kent Locations Used: Kent and East Sussex Railway Tenterden Station, Leeds Castle

Richard E. Grant on Ealing Comedies is a three part series exploring the history of Ealing Studios and the iconic films that were made there including the silent films made at the turn of the 20th century, music hall comedies of the 1930’s and the 1940’s film that started the phrase ‘an Ealing comedy’ – Passport to Pimlico.

Throughout the series, Richard is joined by special guests including Jonathan Ross, Michael Palin, Mike Leigh, Peter Capaldi and Carrie Fisher.

Richard E. Grant on the Kent and East Sussex Railway leaning through the window of a stream train with the driver

Richard E. Grant on the Kent and East Sussex Railway © Kent and East Sussex Railway

In April 2016, the Richard E. Grant on Ealing Comedies team visited Kent and East Sussex Railway Tenterden Station and Leeds Castle which was used as a film location for Ealing Comedy film Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949).

Kent & East Sussex Railway is a ten and a half mile rural light railway from Tenterden to East Sussex. Kent & East Sussex Railway has previously featured in film and TV productions including Mapp and Lucia (2014) and Last Passenger (2013).

Near to the county town of Kent is the stunning Leeds Castle. Sitting on a 500 acre estate, this location boasts period rooms, beautiful gardens, a moat, woodlands, maze with shell grotto and an aviary. The castle has previously been used as a film location for Rustom (2016), The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses (2016), and Lady Jane (1987).

Richard E. Grant on Ealing Comedies airs on GOLD (Sky 110, Virgin 124, BT 310) from Sunday 18th September 2016 at 19:00.

 

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map. 

 

Burke and Hare (2010)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Chair on set during the filming of Burke and Hare at Knole Park. Chair reads Burke & Hare

Chair on set during the filming of Burke and Hare at Knole, Kent © NTPL Megan Taylor

Director: John Landis
Writers: Piers Ashworth, Nick Moorcroft
Starring: Simon Pegg, Andy Serkis, Isla Fisher
Production Company: Ealing Studios, Fragile Films
Kent Locations: Knole House

Based on true-life characters of William Burke and William Hare, this black comedy has an all-star cast including Simon Pegg (The Good Night (2008), Hot Fuzz), Andy Serkis (War for the Planet of the Apes, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers) and Isla Fisher (Wedding Crashers, Confessions of a Shopaholic) and is directed by the legendary John Landis (The Blues Brothers, Schlock).  It tells the story of the two infamous but hapless nineteenth Century serial murderers, who discovered the lucrative trade of supplying cadavers to the medical community in Edinburgh.  Burke and Hare find themselves unable to meet demand and start murdering people to keep up the supply.

Burke and Hare (2010) includes scenes filmed at Knole House, near Sevenoaks, which on a cold February day was transformed into a lively Edinburgh market.

Knole House is a popular filming location, having also provided locations for Pirates of the Caribbean – On Stranger Tides (2011), Sherlock Holmes – A Game of Shadows (2011) and The Other Boleyn Girl (2008).

Burke and Hare (2010) was released in UK cinemas on Friday 29th October 2010, and is now available to purchase on DVD.

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map. 

The Loves of Joanna Godden (1947)

Posted on by Kent Film Office
Joanna Godden (Googie Withers) and Arthur Alce (John McCallum) stood next to each other in front of a tree

Joanna Godden (Googie Withers) and Arthur Alce (John McCallum) © Ealing Studios

Director: Charles Frend, Robert Hamer
Starring: Googie Withers, Jean Kent, John McCallum, Derek Bond, Henry Mollison, Chips Rafferty, Sonia Holm
Production Company: Ealing Studios
Kent Locations Used: Romney Marsh, St Clements Church, Dungeness beach, The New Inn, The Woolpack Inn

The Loves of Joanna Godden (1947) tells the story of Joanna Godden (Googie Withers) who inherits Little Baynham Sheep Farm after the death of her father and decides to defy tradition and run the farm herself. However, her resilient dedication to make the farm a success as well as stubbornness to accept help means she risks losing the man she truly loves.

Joanna Godden (Googie Withers) and Martin (Derek Bond) talking on Dungeness beach with the lighthouse behind

Joanna Godden (Googie Withers) and Martin (Derek Bond) on Dungeness beach © Ealing Studios

Starring Googie Withers (One of Our Aircraft is Missing, The Lady Vanishes), Jean Kent (Sleeping Car to Trieste, Caravan), John McCallum (Trent’s Last Case, Lady Godiva Rides Again (1951)), Derek Bond (Scott of the Antarctic, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby), Henry Mollison (Whisky Galore, Drake of England), Chips Rafferty (Wake in Fright, Mutiny on the Bounty), and Sonia Holm (The Bad Lord Byron, Miranda).

A historical British drama largely filmed on location on the idyllic Romney Marsh. The Marsh covers an area of 100 square miles and is one of three great coastal marshlands of Southern England. Dungeness features as the setting for the romantic scenes where Joanna and her fiancé Martin (Derek Bond) take a trip to the beach. Romney Marsh and Dungeness have since welcomed productions such as Parades End (2012) and The Inspector Lynley Mysteries – Natural Causes (2006).

St Clement’s Church in Old Romney features in the film as the local church where a Christmas carol service is held for the villagers. It is one of the oldest churches in Kent, constructed in the 12th century. The same church later doubled as Dr Syn’s Dymchurch parish in Walt Disney’s production of Dr Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh (1964).

The No.3 train was hired out by the production team from the Kent and East Sussex Railway for the scene at Lydd Town Station, where Joanna greets her sister.  The train was disguised with plates reading ‘SE&CR’. Kent and East Sussex Railway has also featured in Last Passenger (2013).

Other Kent Locations include The New Inn, a grade II listed pub situated on New Romney High Street and The Woolpack Inn, a 600 year old Inn located in the heart of the marsh.

The Loves of Joanna Godden (1947) first premiered on Monday 9th June 1947 and is now available to buy on DVD.

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map.