In the Studio and on Location: Mapping Pinewood’s Culture in 1946

This chapter analyses how Pinewood’s post-war culture was evolving as a more streamlined, economical style of filmmaking with reference to some key film examples. While these resembled the mid-range budgeted type of films produced before the Second World War, it is argued that the adoption of newer, more efficient modes was key to Pinewood’s identity. The chapter examines the desire to rationalise production methods in 1946 by focusing in detail on five films shot at Pinewood by the Independent Producers group. It concentrates on the methods used by set designers and other technicians working on the feature films Great Expectations (1946), Green for Danger (1946), Black Narcissus (1947), Take My Life (1947) and Captain Boycott (1947). The chapter draws on the trade press’s often extensive reportage of visits to Pinewood’s stages when the films were being shot. It applies the concepts of ‘studio relay’ and ‘situated art direction’ to highlight the many innovative techniques which were integral to the films’ economical and artistic creation.