For more than 100 years cinema and the moving picture has captivated audiences around the world, and the cradle of the British film industry was in West London.  This was a popular location both because of its easy proximity to the West End, and because the light was clearer as prevailing winds blew pollution eastwards.
 
Filming began at Mortlake in 1898, and Walton-on-Thames in 1899, while Kew Bridge Studios were the first to create a comedy series. In 1912 the London Film Company acquired a skating rink in St. Margaret's, Twickenham to use as studios, and at the same time, filming began in the grounds of Weir House, a riverside mansion at Teddington.

In 1914 Bertie Samuelson, of the Samuelson Film Manufacturing Company Ltd., acquired Worton Hall in Isleworth. All grew to become celebrated studios - Twickenham now holds the unique position of the longest continuously operating film studio anywhere.
 
This fascinating exhibition is being presented by the Museum of Richmond in the heart of what was undoubtedly the cradle of the British film industry.  The exhibition celebrates more than a dozen of these earliest film studios and filmmakers, as well as the blockbuster successes of modern times.

When: Exhibition runs until 25 Mar 2005

Where: Museum of Richmond, Old Town Hall, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond upon Thames

For further information about the exhibition contact Carolyn Bloore, Assistant Curator on 020 8332 1141 or email musrich@globalnet.co.uk

To visit the Museum of Richmond website click here