Sadly, four of the studios have been demolished, but luckily both the BBC Elstree Centre – the town’s oldest dream factory – and Elstree Studios – the second oldest – are both very busy and have exciting plans for the future. Freddie had started at Elstree in the 1920s and was resident cameraman at MGM for a number of years. Lew was very proud of his ATV Studios in Borehamwood and was a larger than life character with his ever-present giant cigars. In his youth, Lew had been a Charleston dance champion and his brother Bernard Delfont was in charge of EMI’s film division, including Elstree Studios. Nowadays they pay stars to attend film premieres in addition to providing a chauffeured car and slap up reception afterwards.