Saturday, April 4, 2009

View from the Village



Sometime in early 1960 a certain Patrick McGoohan came to borehamwood to star as John Drake in Danger Man. He would end up sticking around for the next 8 years or so, and go on to create TV history, of which we'll get to ...



This rather imposing image is of Amalgamated Studios in Borehamwood on Elstree Way, built in 1937 and to become the old MGM studios where the series was shot from 1960 to 1967. The First episode was A view from a Villa written by the legend that is Brian Clemens and shot in the town of Portmerion



And here is a closer look at the fabulous clock tower that stood empty for many years, and which i would walk past every day on the way to school. Left to fall into disrepair it was demolished in late '80's to be replaced by, well nothing. all that remains is a small brick wall along the footpath.



But happily it lives on, here you see John Drake at the entrance in an Episode of Danger Man. The deeper I look into my home town and all its strange comings and goings, I am most excited when i see one of the many studios used as a location or as a back drop for a quick publicity shot, so you'll have to forgive me if thats where i focus.
I have not seen this show for many years so will go back to it at a later date