Art & Hue2025 Classic Film Anniversaries
This year is bumper-packed full of classic film anniversaries, from crime dramas to enduring comedies. Art & Hue rounds-up the milestones of beloved & cult films to celebrate in 2025.
Elstree 100th
100 years ago, on the 15th of December 1925, George T Nelson, the chairman of British National Pictures announced the purchase of 40 acres to build eight large studios at Elstree. The studios went on to produce many classic films and TV shows.
Pinewood 90th
90 years ago at the beginning of June 1935, construction began on Pinewood Studios. Heatherden Hall was bought at auction by Charles Boot who proceeded to establish Pinewood Studios in partnership with J. Arthur Rank.
Ealing 95th
95 years ago, the first ever Ealing Studios film, called “Escape”, was screened to the press on the 28th of August 1930. Made by Associated British Pictures, later to become Ealing, the film began a rich history in film production.
The Flying Scotsman 95th Anniversary – 95 Years of The Flying Scotsman film
Originally planned as a silent picture, sound was added for the 1930 release of “The Flying Scotsman” to make it a “talkie”.
Starring Welsh actor Ray Milland in his first leading film role (billed as Raymond Milland), the film also stars Pauline Johnson who performed the daring stunt of walking along the outside of the train.
Screened to the trade & cinema distributors on the 7th of February 1930 at the New Gallery cinema, “The Flying Scotsman” opened to the public on the 17th of May 1930 at the Alhambra cinema in London where it was the supporting film to “Under a Texas Moon”.
The Proud Valley 85th Anniversary – 85 Years of The Proud Valley
The first film to premiere on radio, on the 25th of February 1940, “The Proud Valley” was first screened to the trade & cinema bookers on the 9th of January 1940 before opening to the public on screens nationwide, including the Birmingham Gaumont and the Middlesborough Hippodrome, from the 3rd of March 1940 onwards, and in London at the Leicester Square Theatre on the 8th of March.
A superstar African American actor & singer, Paul Robeson headlined many British films throughout the 1920s, 30s & 40s but he was especially proud of this production. He told the 9,000-strong audience at the 1958 Eisteddfod “of all the films I have made the one I will preserve is The Proud Valley.”
Dead of Night 80th Anniversary – 80 Years of Dead of Night
Marking its 80th anniversary this year, the influential horror anthology “Dead of Night” opened at the Gaumont Haymarket cinema in London on the 9th of September 1945. One of the earliest horror films, “Dead of Night” stars Michael Redgrave in the final impactful story with the ventriloquist dummy, along with the unique cinematic double-act of Basil Radford & Naunton Wayne who appear together to provide a brief respite of comic relief within the chilling horror. The Ealing Studios film features the pair as golfers vying for the affections of Peggy Bryan, who previously starred in the George Formby film “Turned Out Nice Again“. The early horror is well-regarded and made director Martin Scorsese’s list of scariest horror films of all time.
The Blue Lamp 75th Anniversary – 75 Years of The Blue Lamp
Jack Warner played policemen and detectives throughout his film career but is perhaps most remembered by many for “Dixon of Dock Green”.
Jack Warner first appeared as PC George Dixon in the Ealing film “The Blue Lamp” which opened at the Odeon Leicester Square 75 years ago on the 19th of January 1950. Written by Ealing stalwart T.E.B. Clarke, the film inspired the television series with Jack Warner reprising the role in 1955.
Dirk Bogarde‘s performance in “The Blue Lamp” with Jack Warner was singled out for praise by critics, and the cast also included Meredith Edwards, Anthony Steel, Dora Bryan and Melvyn Hayes.
The Magnet 75th Anniversary – 75 Years of The Magnet
Starring James Fox in his first starring role, billed as his birth name William Fox, the Ealing comedy “The Magnet” seeks to tap in to the charm of “Hue & Cry” in this story of a young boy and a magnet.
The poignant moral tale, which also stars Stephen Murray, Kay Walsh, Meredith Edwards, Gladys Henson and Sam Kydd, opened 75 years ago at the Odeon Leicester Square in London on the 19th of October 1950.
Filmed in and around Cheshire & Liverpool, James Robertson Justice makes a cameo appearance in the film as a tramp but billed under the pseudonym Seumas Mor na Fesag.
Out of the Clouds 70th Anniversary – 70 Years of Out of the Clouds
Opening 70 years ago at the Leicester Square Theatre in London on the 10th of February 1955, “Out of the Clouds” is a charming snapshot of an era when flying was a glamourous affair.
The jet-set film, about the lives of airline crew and their passengers, stars James Robertson Justice, Eunice Gayson, Anthony Steel, Melissa Stribling and Robert Beatty, with Fiona Clyne, Sid James, Jill Melford and Katie Johnson.
The Ealing Studios production filmed on location at “London Airport” which later expanded to became Heathrow.
The Ladykillers 70th Anniversary – 70 Years of The Ladykillers
A classic crime comedy, much-loved by film fans, “The Ladykillers” was the penultimate Ealing Comedy starring Alec Guinness. 2025 marks 70 years since the film premiered on the 8th December 1955 at the Odeon Leicester Square in London. With an all-star cast of classic British actors including Alec Guinness, Cecil Parker, Herbert Lom, Peter Sellers, Danny Green, and the archetypal policeman Jack Warner, “The Ladykillers” is fondly considered to be one of the best Ealing comedies. With actors Frankie Howerd & Kenneth Connor, “The Ladykillers” was to be Katie Johnson’s penultimate film release which secured her a British Film Academy Award for Best British actress at the age of 77.
The Dam Busters 70th Anniversary – 70 Years of The Dam Busters
Perhaps the defining role of Richard Todd’s career was in “The Dam Busters”, regarded as one of the greatest war films in British cinema.
Co-starring Michael Redgrave, John Fraser, & George Baker, the 1955 production was the most successful film in British theatres that year.
The film held a Royal Charity Premiere on the 16th of May 1955 at the Odeon Leicester Square in the presence of Princess Margaret.
“The Dam Busters” went on to be nominated for the Best Visual Effects Oscar at the 55th Academy Awards.
Two-Way Stretch 65th Anniversary – 65 Years of Two-Way Stretch
Very popular upon release in 1960, and still enjoyed to this day, “Two-Way Stretch” sees three prisoners plotting a diamond robbery.
The film opened 65 years ago at the Warner Cinema London on the 11th of February 1960 before going on general release from the 14th.
Starring Peter Sellers, Liz Fraser, Irene Handl & Bernard Cribbins, with Beryl Reid, the film is believed by some to have inspired the sitcom “Porridge” starring Ronnie Barker with many parallels to be drawn between the two productions.
A classic comedy that still stands up (Irene Handl’s delivery of her line about the “kit” is priceless alone), the film celebrates its 65th anniversary in 2025.
School for Scoundrels 65th Anniversary – 65 Years of School for Scoundrels
Premiering at the Warner cinema in London in the 24th of March 1960, “School for Scoundrels” is a pleasurable example of Mid-Century British cinema that charms to this day. British film icon Terry-Thomas is on top form as the gentleman-bounder, alongside Alastair Sim, Ian Carmichael and Janette Scott. Filmed in and around Elstree Studios, the classic tennis scenes at “The Old Chippentonian Tennis Club” were shot at The Manor Hotel where Art & Hue had the pleasure to meet the film’s leading lady Janette Scott at a screening of the film in 2016. “School for Scoundrels” was art director Terence Verity’s last film before returning to architecture. He went on to design Charnock Richard, the first motorway service station to open on the M6.
Darling 60th Anniversary – 60 Years of Darling
Premiering at the Moscow Film Festival on the 15th of July 1965, “Darling” is a snapshot of Swinging London and the Sixties jet-set starring Julie Christie, Dirk Bogarde & Laurence Harvey.
Directed by John Schlesinger, the film won Julie Christie the Academy Award for Best Actress, prompting Life magazine to describe 1965 as “The Year of Julie Christie”. Watching her performances in “Billy Liar” and “Darling” now, Julie Christie‘s natural talent and modernity seems to have been transplanted back into the 1960s like a time traveller.
As well as winning the Best Actress Oscar for her performance in the film, “Darling” also won Best Screenplay for Frederic Raphael & Best Costume Design for Julie Harris, plus a nomination for John Schlesinger as Best Director.
The Railway Children 55th Anniversary – 55 Years of The Railway Children
On the 22nd of December 1970, the Royal World Charity Premiere of “The Railway Children” took place at the then-new ABC2 Shaftesbury Avenue cinema in London, attended by Princess Margaret & Prince Edward.
Directed by actor Lionel Jeffries, the charming period film “The Railway Children” was based on the 1906 novel by E. Nesbit and stars Dinah Sheridan, Jenny Agutter, Bernard Cribbins, Sally Thomsett, & Gary Warren.
Set in 1905 and filmed on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway and at Oakworth railway station, the 2022 sequel “The Railway Children Return” also used the same locations and saw Jenny Agutter reprise her character of Roberta “Bobbie” Waterbury set in 1944.
More upcoming classic film anniversaries in 2025
Crook’s Tour 85th Anniversary
On the 23rd of February 1940, the first Episode of the six-part radio serial “Crook’s Tour” debuted on BBC Home Service Radio starring Basil Radford & Naunton Wayne as the unique cinematic pair Charters & Caldicott, and on the 13th of October 1940, the film opened at the Birmingham Rialto cinema.
The Happiest Days of Our Lives 75th
On the 10th of March 1950, “The Happiest Days of Your Life”, with Alastair Sim, Joyce Grenfell & Margaret Rutherford, opened at the Carlton cinema in London.
The Dancing Years 75th
On the 5th of April 1950, the Ivor Novello musical “The Dancing Years”, starring Scottish actress Patricia Dainton and Dennis Price, opened at the Carlton Cinema in London.
Cage of Gold 75th
On the 21st of September 1950, “Cage of Gold”, starring Jean Simmons with Gladys Henson, Sam Kydd & Herbert Lom, premiered at the Odeon Marble Arch in London.
Carry On Constable 65th
On the 25th of February 1960, police comedy “Carry On Constable“, the first Carry On-film with Sid James, premiered at the Plaza cinema in London.
Pop Gear 60th
On the 18th of April 1965, music jukebox film “Pop Gear” with Matt Monro opened at Studio One cinema in Manchester.
Rotten to the Core 60th
On the 22nd of July 1965, “Rotten to the Core” premiered at the Rialto cinema in London. Starring Charlotte Rampling in her first credited film appearance, the pacey British crime comedy also features Ian Bannen & Kenneth Griffith.
Gonks Go Beat 60th
On the 30th of August 1965, the juke box film “Gonks Go Beat” (with Kenneth Connor & Frank Thornton plus musical performances by acts including Lulu & the Luvvers) opened in cinemas including the Criterion in Hull.
All the Way Up 55th
On the 11th of June 1970, the British farce “All the Way Up”, starring Kenneth Cranham & Warren Mitchell, premiered at the Plaza cinema in London.
Some Will, Some Won’t 55th
On the 20th of September 1970, the film “Some Will, Some Won’t” starring Ronnie Corbett (with Barbara Murray, Dennis Price, Wilfrid Brambell, Stephen Lewis & Frank Thornton) went on general release in British cinemas.
Scars of Dracula & Horror of Frankenstein 55th
On the 1st of November 1970, the Hammer horror double bill of “Scars of Dracula” (with Christopher Lee, Jenny Hanley, Dennis Waterman, George Innes & Anouska Hempel), & “Horror of Frankenstein” (with Ralph Bates, David Prowse & Kate O’Mara) opened in London at the New Victoria Cinema.
The Rise & Rise of Michael Rimmer 55th
On the 12th of November 1970, “The Rise & Rise of Michael Rimmer”, starring Peter Cook with John Cleese, Valerie Leon, Ronnie Corbett & Dennis Price, opened at the Warner Leicester Square.
Alfie Darling 50th
On the 6th of March 1975, the sequel to the Michael Caine film “Alfie”, “Alfie Darling” starring Joan Collins with Jenny Hanley, and the theme sung by Cilla Black, premiered at the Universal Cinema in London.
The Breaking of Bumbo 50th
Deprived a proper cinema release following some previews, “The Breaking of Bumbo” starring Joanna Lumley & Richard Warwick had its public premiere on television, on BBC Two on the 17th of August 1975.
Restless Natives 40th
On the 25th of June 1985, the Gala Premiere of “Restless Natives” took place at the ABC Cinema in Aberdeen. The cult crime comedy features the music of Big Country and the tale of two masked highway men robbing tourist coaches in Scotland.
A View to a Kill 40th
On the 22nd of May 1985, “A View to a Kill”, starring Roger Moore, Patrick Macnee & Grace Jones, had its world premiere in San Francisco, the first Bond premiere outside Britain.
Goldeneye 30th
On the 13th of November 1995, Pierce Brosnan‘s first outing as Bond, “Goldeneye”, premiered in New York at Radio City Music Hall.
Spectre 10th
On the 26th of November 2015, Daniel Craig‘s penultimate Bond film “Spectre”, co-starring Naomie Harris, held its Royal World Premiere at the Albert Hall.
The Wild Affair 60th
Starring Nancy Kwan with Terry-Thomas & Johnny Logan, The Wild Affair‘s release was delayed because of various distribution issues at the time, finally opening in cinemas nationwide on the 7th of November 1965, including the ABC Wallasey in Merseyside and the ABC Ardwick Green in Manchester. The film went on to open in London cinemas from the 28th of November 1965.
Entertaining Mr. Sloane 55th
On the 1st of April 1970, the film adaptation of Joe Orton’s “Entertaining Mr. Sloane“, with Beryl Reid, had its Royal Premiere at London’s Carlton cinema, attended by Princess Margaret.
The Ipcress File 60th
On the 18th of March 1965, “The Ipcress File”, starring Michael Caine as Harry Palmer, premiered in London. Regarded as the anti-Bond for the unglamourous portrayal of spycraft, Michael Caine portrayed Harry Palmer in three adaptations of Len Deighton’s novels during the 1960s.
These are just some of the anniversaries taking place in 2025 – there are more milestones, including TV events, to celebrate this year.
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