Latest news with #DouglasFairbanks
Metro
8 hours ago
- Business
- Metro
Former BBC studios where EastEnders was filmed riddled with asbestos
A crumbling production complex where EastEnders and other iconic BBC TV shows have been filmed has been found to be riddled with asbestos. A pre-demolition survey of BBC Elstree Centre — sold to investment giant AXA IM Alts — shows that the substance is present across the buildings. Asbestos material was found in studios, a restaurant, the Central Technical Area, Hart House, the historic Fairbanks, a maintenance building and Neptune House, where Holby City was filmed. The new owners commissioned the survey as they turn the world-famous site in Borehamwood, north west London, into a film-making complex meeting modern standards. At the Art Deco-style studios where EastEnders, Children in Need and the BBC's General Election coverage have been filmed, the material was found in more than 150 different places. One sample was taken from insulation within a wall void and given a high priority classification. The inspectors found that the material was likely to be 'easily disturbed' and flagged it as 'remove.' Another sample taken from a restaurant block was classed as 'high priority'. However the material, used for thermal insulation, was judged 'usually inaccessible or unlikely to be disturbed.' Another sample was taken from stairs on the ground floor of studios M and C, according to the document released this week. The presence of the material was judged 'low risk' but Asbestos Consultants Europe Ltd recommended it be removed. AXA IM Alts said in January 2024 that it had exchanged contracts with the BBC for the 16-acre campus, with the deal due to be completed early this year. EastEnders will remain in an already modernised part of the site under a deal between the old and new owners to lease back part of the studio campus over the next 25 years. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The investment company has said in a planning application that 'the existing premises are no longer fit for purpose' and the redevelopment 'will boost the Elstree film industry.' The buyers, who are working with Oxygen Studios on the plans, intend to create a major new film and TV production complex with modern day requirements able to attract large-scale productions. The new development has been named Fairbanks Studios in tribute to actor Douglas Fairbanks, who leased studios on the site in 1952. The report was carried out to protect workers and others from 'asbestos containing materials' which might be unknowingly disturbed during demolition work. A spokesperson for AXA IM Alts said: 'We are fully aware of the presence of asbestos on the site which is common in old buildings and those that have been added to during their lifespan. More Trending 'These buildings are not currently in use and have not been occupied since we acquired them. 'Our development plans to transform the site into a fit for purpose, modern media campus already account for the safe removal of any asbestos using experts in this field and according to current regulations.' The BBC forwarded a request for comment from Metro to AXA IM Alts. Do you have a story you would like to share? Contact MORE: Elstree & Borehamwood: Tinseltown's less glamorous movie twin put EastEnders, Star Wars and Indiana Jones on the map MORE: BBC show branded 'completely unwatchable' triggers complaint from epilepsy group MORE: BBC releases Match of the Day 'porn noises' report it tried to keep secret
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
On This Day, April 30: Vietnam War comes to end
April 30 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1789, George Washington was inaugurated as the first president of the United States. In 1803, the United States more than doubled its land area with the Louisiana Purchase. It obtained all French territory west of the Mississippi River for $15 million. In 1812, Louisiana entered the union as the 18th U.S. state. In 1927, Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford became the first movie personalities to leave their footprints in concrete at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood. In 1939, Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first U.S. president to appear on television when he was shown on opening day at the New York World's Fair. In 1945, the burned body of Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler was found in a bunker in the ruins of Berlin. In 1948, 21 countries of the Western Hemisphere formed the Organization of American States. In 1967, Muhammad Ali was stripped of his world heavyweight boxing championship title after he refused to be drafted into the U.S. military. In 1975, South Vietnam unconditionally surrendered to North Vietnam. The communists occupied Saigon and renamed it Ho Chi Minh City. In 1997, Ellen DeGeneres' character came out as gay on the popular sitcom Ellen, making it the first sitcom to feature a gay leading character. The local ABC affiliate in Birmingham, Ala., refused to air the episode so gay rights advocates arranged for a satellite downlink to beam the show. In 1993, tennis star Monica Seles was stabbed and injured by a self-described fan of Steffi Graf during a break between games in a match against another player in Hamburg, Germany. Seles, who won nine grand-slam singles titles in her career, was out of competitive tennis for more than two years after the attack. In 2006, rebel factions in Sudan rejected a peace agreement in the Darfur conflict. Officials estimated the fighting had killed at least 180,000 people and driven more than 2 million from their homes. In 2009, Chrysler filed for bankruptcy protection in a key move of a restructuring plan backed by the Obama administration. In 2012, Israel began construction of a wall that would be 23 feet high and less than a mile long on its border with Lebanon. Security officials said the concrete wall would protect residents in the Matulla area from sniper fire from nearby Lebanese villages. In 2013, Queen Beatrix, the 75-year-old monarch of the Netherlands, signed a formal declaration abdicating in favor of her eldest son, Willem-Alexander, 46, who became the country's first king in 123 years. In 2019, Japanese Emperor Akihito, 85, formally abdicated his throne, becoming the nation's first monarch to step down in 200 years. His son, Crown Prince Naruhito, ascended to the throne, starting the Reiwa era. In 2022, country legend Naomi Judd, one half of duo the Judds, died at the age of 76.
Metro
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Oscars fixes major voting loophole after nearly 100 years
The Academy is tightening up rules for the Oscars from next year, requiring members to watch every film in a category before voting. In an announcement which is likely to shock many casual film fans given the prestige of the award ceremony in the industry – and how long it has been going – this has not technically been a hard rule until now. Yes, that's right – you could previously vote without seeing every film in a category, leading to some infamous admissions from anonymous members of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences about their choices for Oscars. There had, however, previously been some specific regulations around voting applied to categories such as Documentary and Short before. As per a statement about its pre-voting procedures shared with press including Metro on Monday night, the Academy revealed that 'members must now watch all nominated films in each category to be eligible to vote in the final round for the Oscars'. This blanket rule will go into place for next year's Oscars, set to take place on Sunday March 15, 2026, which will be the 98th edition of the Academy Awards. The first ever Academy Awards took place on May 16, 1929, at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, with the 15-minute event hosted by actor Douglas Fairbanks and accompanied simply a private dinner for 270 attendees. In terms of actually proving that voters have watched the films required to vote in a certain category, an Academy spokesperson clarified that proof of views is currently something that can be tracked via the Academy Screening Room, an internal service where voting members can view eligible films. If they've seen them elsewhere, such as in a theatre, they will also need to provide documentation of that. The Academy rep continued to Entertainment Weekly: 'There is also a 'seen elsewhere' form that members will need to submit before finals voting. If you haven't viewed a title, it will still appear on your ballot, but it will be greyed out.' More Trending 'For the speciality categories, we will still require viewing in prelims and noms as usual. For this year, we will now require viewing in finals voting for all categories and all voting members,' the comment added. An anonymous voter complained to Variety ahead of this year's Oscars: 'I watch everything! I hate it when people don't take this job seriously. 'It's our responsibility to watch all of it… When you don't, you miss masterpieces like The Substance and 'Emilia Pérez.' And now their fellow voters will be required to join them in that endeavour. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: 'The Godfather of comedies' now streaming for free will cure your Bank Holiday blues MORE: Blood-thirsty vampire movies to stream this weekend if you loved Sinners MORE: Clueless is coming back – and it's doomed to fail
USA Today
05-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
When did the Academy Awards start? A look at the first Oscar winners
Every year heading into Oscars, the lead-up is chaos as studios seek momentum for their nominated movies, actors are the centerpiece of "For your consideration" campaigns, and pundits predict the big winners all the way up until showtime. That sort of frazzled energy wasn't a part of the first Academy Awards: The ceremony took place three months after the winners were announced. Academy president Douglas Fairbanks emceed the event on May 16, 1929, where gold statuettes – designed a year earlier by MGM's art director, Cedric Gibbons – were handed out in 12 competitive categories (plus two special awards) honoring the best films of 1927 and 1928. With the 97th Academy Awards just a month away on March 2, here's what else movie lovers need to know about the first Oscars: Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. Where were the first Oscars held? Presented at the Blossom Room in Los Angeles' Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, the first Academy Awards was more dinner party than today's high-profile spectacle, with 270 in attendance and guest tickets priced at $5 apiece. (In comparison, a movie ticket cost you a quarter.) It was also the only Oscar ceremony that wasn't broadcast in some way: Because of the 1929 banquet's popularity, a local radio station did a live hour-long broadcast at the second Oscars on April 3, 1930. What movie won best picture at the first Oscars? "Wings," a drama starring Charles "Buddy" Rogers and Richard Arlen as World War I fighter pilots and Clara Bow as the love interest of both men, won "outstanding picture" (which would ultimately be renamed best picture) as well as best engineering effects. It was also the only silent film to ever win the top category. "Sunrise," F.W. Murnau's film about a city woman (Margaret Livingston) who tries persuade a farmer (George O'Brien) to murder his wife (Janet Gaynor), tied for the most Oscars (three) with the romance "7th Heaven." Most notably "Sunrise" won best unique and artistic picture, an award that was scrapped a year later when the Oscars winnowed its categories to seven. Fun fact: You can stream both "Wings" and "Sunrise" on Tubi. Who won the first best actor and best actress Academy Awards? In the first year of the Oscars, winners could be honored for single movies, multiple films or a body of work. Janet Gaynor won best actress for her roles in "Sunrise," "7th Heaven" and "Street Angel" – in 1938, she was again nominated in the category for the first "A Star Is Born." Best actor went to Swiss-German performer Emil Jannings for "The Last Command" and "The Way of All Flesh." Jannings later starred in 1930's "The Blue Angel" with Marlene Dietrich but never acting again in Hollywood after World War II because of his work in Nazi propaganda films. What other movies won at the first Oscars? Two best directing Oscars were handed out in 1929 – Lewis Milestone won for the comedy picture "Two Arabian Nights" while Frank Borzage got a trophy for "7th Heaven." Interestingly, two influential movies of the time received honorary Oscars. The Academy decided to bestow Charlie Chaplin and his 1928 film "The Circus" with one special award for "versatility and genius in writing, acting, directing and producing." And Warner Bros. was feted for producing 1927's "The Jazz Singer," widely considered the first "talkie."
