Cookham
and the movies
(14 January 2004)
with thanks to Richard Poad
Did you know that Hammer Films, synonymous with horror films, began its film-making at Dial Close on Winter Hill, Cookham Dean?
Hammer and its distribution company came to Cookham Dean in November 1948, and used the whole house at Dial Place as a studio, with the hall and stairs making perfect sets for ‘Celia’ and ‘Dr Morrell and the case of the missing Heiress’. However, Hammer was forced out by complaints from the neighbours and moved to its next ‘house studio’ at Oakley Court, now a luxury hotel.
Meanwhile
down the hill in Cookham village, Moor Hall was the home to Gaumont
British Animation between 1946 and 1950.
They produced a series of cartoon films aimed at challenging the
supremacy of Disney Studios; the films were called ‘Animaland’ and
featured loveable animal characters such as Ginger Nut the red squirrel.
Cookham also has an Oscar to its name. In 1978 ‘Superman’, starring Christopher Reeves, won an Oscar for its special flying effects – and the man responsible was Cookham resident Derek Meddings. Derek had worked with Gerry Anderson on his early puppet films (made in Maidenhead), and went on to work on many of the Bond films, including ‘Goldeneye’.
You can find out more about Hammer and the Animaland cartoons at Maidenhead Heritage Centre’s exhibition ‘Maidenhead and the Movies’, which runs until 26th February. The Animaland films will be shown in Cookham during half term week; see the Advertiser for details or visit www.maidenheadheritage.org.uk
If anyone has any memories of either Hammer or Animaland, please contact Richard Poad, Chairman of Maidenhead Heritage Centre, on 01628 780555.
Where can I find the Maidenhead Heritage Centre?
Just off the A4 between the town and the river, about 100 yards past Waitrose at the far end of Moorbridge Road. Free on-site parking, plus free on-street parking (1 hour).
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