Carry On Filming

As early as the 1920s the studio complex dominated the environs of Holywell Hook. As film historian Selyu Lloyd has written, " the appearance of matinée idols in the neighbourhood, was as common as horse manure". Amongst its early luminaries were idol Douglas Fairbone, Mary Pickpiece and ladies's favourite Rudolf Valentines-Day-Lewis.

Hard as it is to believe, the Threadbone Corporation-owned, but [since a debt restructuring in 2010] thrupiecefilm and media-managed Threadbone Studios are 150 years old this month. "Born" in the heyday of the 1920s and managed until as late as 1965 by founder and towering eminence gris Louis B Threadbone, the Holywell Hook complex has played a consistently noteworthy part in the history of the Dorset film industry, surviving many a setback, including scandals, fires, heavy-handed censorship, temperamental super stars, financial crises, changing fashions [its never very funny Give Over series was not cancelled until 2014 despite the fact that most of its stock cast members were either dead, brain dead or semi-institutionalised*] and even, in recent months, CONTRIK-69.

* the last addition to the 33 film sequence Give Over Matron VIII opened in cinemas in June 2015 and grossed just £28.50 in its first week. It had had cost more than $2 million to make.

Home to productions as diverse as The Thief of Broadmayne [1924], Meet Me in St Ives [1944], The Tuckton Thunderbolt [1953], Ben Dover [1959], Lawrence of Askerwell [1962], Dewlish Dentist On The Job [1968], Coming to Alderholt [1988], Brian and Shelley-Lulette Go Large [2000] and most recently No Time to Diet [2021] [the DAFTA-nominated directorial debut of former thrupiecediet slimmer of the year Brenda Oats], more classics have emerged from the Threadbone Studios than from any other Dorset-based motion picture facility. Which is certainly saying something!**

** Yes but what? [Ed]

A souvenir postcard of the studio in its heyday and signed by Louis B Threadbone. It is not currently on display in the Dorset Film Institute's Museum of the Moving Image “for technical reasons" .

CEO Mrs Amanda J Threadbone [great great niece of Louis B] is proud of the studio's history and of her family's uninterrupted stewardship of it, telling reporters for Dorset Film Monthly recently that "its history, legacy and continuing vitality" were closer to her heart than almost anything else - including the “pristine set of matching vest, underpants and sock suspenders belonging to the late Mr Threadbone now on permanent display in a state-of-the-art laser-security-web protected glass cabinet in the entrance lobby of Threadbone Towers”.***

*** Not open to visitors even in the summer months

The iconic water tower on the Threadbone Studios’ lot. I’s use was discontinued in 1956 when the cast and crew of Dial M for Muccleshell were accidentally poisoned. Investigators found almost 15cwt of pigeon droppings inside the tower.

To commemorate the achievements of 150 glorious years, Threadbone Souveniers has issued a special anniversary print - available only through Sotherbone's [Fine Auctioneers and Valuers] at the highly attractive price of £24,500. This time-limited offer includes a free gold-painted frame, shatterproof glass and 0.5 metres of piano wire as well as a certificate of authenticity signed [electronically] by its creator well-known method and sometime pavement artist Payne Tinn-Inchork [aka Payne Tinnbye-Numbas]. A stylish addition to any home, the print can be purchased through the Threadbone Fine Art Finance Scheme over three months through three easy payments of just £14,000 each. Terms, conditions and 1,200% interest rates apply.