In my blog today I have decided to pay tribute to those people who once worked in front or behind the camera in Borehamwood and who sadly passed away during 2009.

Felix Bowness (30 March 1922 – 13 September 2009)

Felix Bowness was a talented comedy actor who was best-known for playing ex-jockey Fred Quilley in the hit BBC sitcom, Hi-de-Hi!

Bowness' Borehamwood credits, however, included appearing in the Perry & Croft sitcom, You Rang, M'Lord?

Danny La Rue (26 July 1928 - 31 May 2009)

I would argue that Danny La Rue was the best and most well-known of all the female impersonators in the UK. Danny, however, always liked to make it clear that he preferred to be known as: "a comic in a frock".

In 1972, Danny made the Second World War-based comedy film, Our Miss Fred. Filmed on location in Norfolk on the East Coast, this film also saw post-production work completed at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood.

Patrick McCoohan (19 March 1928 – 13 January 2009)

Patrick McGoohan was both the star and creator of the classic TV series, The Prisoner.

Said to have been the actor who was originally chosen to play James Bond in Dr No., McGoohan appeared in the action TV series Danger Man before convincing ATV's Lew Grade to make The Prisoner.

Although it is well-known that the series was filmed in the village of Portmerion in Wales, only die-hard fans know that filming also took place at the since-demolished MGM Studios in Borehamwood and in the nearby area.

Vince Powell (6 August 1928 – 13 July 2009)

During his long career Vince Powell wrote, co-wrote and/or created numerous TV sitcoms including George and the Dragon, For the Love of Ada, Bless this House, Love Thy Neighbour & Nearest and Dearest.

Powell worked in Borehamwood on several occasions. His credits included working at ATV (now BBC Elstree) as the co-writer of the classic sitcom, George and the Dragon. The sitcom in-question co-starred Sid James and Peggy Mount.

Vince also co-wrote the screenplays for both the film versions of For the Love of Ada and Love Thy Neighbour, which were both made at Elstree Studios in the early Seventies.

Wendy Richard (20 July 1943 - 26 February 2009)

Wendy Richard worked continually at BBC Elstree for 21 years playing the role of Pauline Fowler in the BBC soap, EastEnders. However her list of other acting credits is extensive.

As well as EastEnders, Wendy's Borehamwood credits included the film version of Are You Being Served?; and the first of three big screen versions of the LWT sitcom, On the Buses.

Greg Smith (4th November 1939 - 19th February 2009)

Fresh from his success with producing the spin-off film version of Dad's Army at Shepperton Studios at the start of the Seventies, Greg Smith moved to Elstree Studios to produce Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall.

The 1972 film starred Spike Milligan and Jim Dale. Happy with studio life at Elstree, Greg was to remain based there until 1991.

During his time there his work included the four Confessions films for Columbia Pictures which starred Robin Askwith. There is no doubt the production of the series helped to keep Elstree Studios in business at what was a very difficult time for the company.

Smith's other Borehamwood credits included producing the films Stand Up Virgin Soldiers and The Boys in Blue (which starred Cannon & Ball) and The Shillingbury Blowers; while his TV credits included: The Shillingbury Tales, for ITC/ATV.

As I previously mentioned Greg was an inspiration to me. His enthusiasm for Elstree Studios and for filmmaking was a joy to share.

Marianne Stone (23 August 1922 - 21 December 2009)

Marianne Stone's film credits as an actress were prolific. Indeed the year 1963 alone reportedly saw Stone appear in no less than 13 films!

Mention her name and most people might be hard-pressed to picture her face or list any of the film productions she appeared in. However, film historians and fans, including myself, will instantly be able to list a great number of her impressive screen credits.

Best-known for playing a variety of small roles in the Carry On films, Marianne also played a variety of cameo roles in other films supporting the likes of Norman Wisdom.

Stone's Borehamwood credits included the films Confessions From a Holiday Camp, Confessions of a Window Cleaner and The Raging Moon; while her TV credits included Carry On Laughing for ATV.

Mollie Sugden (21 July 1922 - 1 July 2009)

Best-known for playing Mrs Slocombe in the Croft and Lloyd sitcom Are You Being Served?, Mollie Sugden sadly passed away at the Royal Surrey Hospital following a long illness.

An actress always in demand, the year 1977, for instance, saw Sugden and the cast of Are You Being Served? move briefly from BBC Television Centre to Borehamwood to shoot a big screen version at Elstree Studios.

Away from Are You Being Served? Mollie made countless other TV sitcom appearances. Her sitcom credits included: The Liver Birds, Come Back Mrs Noah, That's My Boy, My Husband and I and Grace and Favour.

Very-much part of my TV viewing life, Sugden, like Richard, will certainly live on in my heart. Thank goodness I have both DVDs and videos to watch which feature some of many of the great performances that Mollie gave.

Edward Woodward (1 June 1930 - 16 November 2009)

Edward Woodward's last acting role saw him join the popular soap EastEnders, made at BBC Elstree in Borehamwood, for a short time earlier this year and played the role of Tommy Clifford.

Shortly after his death a spokesperson for EastEnders was quoted on Digital Spy website as saying: "All of us at EastEnders are very sad to learn that Edward has passed away. We were thrilled when he joined us for a stint of six episodes earlier this year."

Woodward, who passed away at a hospital in Truro after suffering from various illnesses, including pneumonia, was married to the veteran actress Michelle Dotrice.

Locally, Edward's Borehamwood credits included: the film Stand Up Virgin Soldiers, which was made at Elstree Studios and produced by the late Greg Smith.

Richard Todd (11 June 1919 - 3 December 2009)

Arguably best-known for playing the role of Wing Commander Guy Gibson, VC, in the film The Dam Busters, actor Richard Todd sadly passed away in December at the age of 90.

After a spell in repertory theatre, Richard passed a screen test and was contracted to ABPC (Associated British Pictures Corporation), now Elstree Studios, in the late Forties.

Todd's roles at Elstree Studios included an appearance in the classic Alfred Hitchcock film, Stage Fright. The film, which was made in 1950, starred the legendary Marlene Dietrich.

However, for me, Richard's finest hour on screen was playing Wing Commander Guy Gibson alongside Michael Redgrave and Ursula Jeans in the 1954 film, The Dam Busters, which was directed by Michael Anderson.

In more recent years, Todd kept in touch with Borehamwood by appearing in the continuing medical drama Holby City, which is made at BBC Elstree.

© Paul Burton