A brief History of film in Walton-On-Thames

Walton-On-Thames’s film heritage began in 1899 when Cecil Hepworth moved from London with his cousin Monty Wicks. They set up their own business called Hepworth and Company under the trade logo Hepwix, and established one of the world’s first film studios in a small House in Hurst Grove, off Bridge Street.

Their first popular success was a film covering Queen Victoria’s funeral in 1901, however the bulk of the output were short black and white silent pieces lasting less than a minute, predominantly shot out of doors. As camera and lighting technology improved and the studio grew, the filming increasingly moved indoors. The studio averaged three films a week, the content of which was broad; ranging from melodramas and comedies to scenics and travel films. Often the characters in the films were played by family members, including Hepworth himself. Chrissie White and Alma Taylor became his stars.

Hepworth’s most notable films included, Rescued by Rover (1905), Black Beauty (1906), Rover Drives a Car (1907), Alf’s Button (1920) and Tansy (1921).

The advent and popularity of British cinematography saw an increasing number of cinemas, or picture palaces, become a feature within towns across Britain. Between 1911 and 1979 Walton had several; the Palace in Church Street, The Capitol in the High Street and the Regal. The current Screen cinema was built on the site of the former Capitol which had closed in 1979.

Public Art Strategy

Banner Competition

As part of the public art strategy for The Heart, O&H Properties launched an open competition based on the theme “film” in order to brighten up the new pedestrian walkway and piazza, creating an accessible and contemporary art gallery.

Artists, designers, local residents and schools were invited to submit banner designs using film as the theme in recognition of the town’s historical association with the film industry. The prize for each winning entry was £500 and the opportunity to have their designs hung from the new street lighting in the recently named Nettlefold Way. The banners are internally lit which enables them to be viewed in the evening, helping to create an atmospheric nightscape.

A workshop and presentation was held at the Riverhouse Barn in Manor Road during August 2006, designed to give members of the public inspiration for their submissions. An imaginative talk was given by David Sproxton, co-founder of Ardmaan Animation Studios, covering how a film is made from story to screening using The Curse of the Wererabbit as a case study. David’s formative years were spent in Walton and whose very first pieces of work were produced in his garage.

The competition produced some inspiring designs from the entrants from which the judging panel selected 16 winners. The selected designs were then printed as banners. We hope to be able to list each of the winners names shortly.

Film Making in Walton “Little Hollywood”

As part of the contribution to the public art strategy, O&H sponsored the production of a compilation of short film clips and photographic stills by Cecil Hepworth and Clifford Spain 1899-1960. The film is projected onto the inner wall of the High Street entrance to The Heart.

The film was produced by Public Art consultant, Jane Duncan, in collaboration with Elmbridge Museum, University of Brighton and Screen Archive South East, and with kind permission of The Hepworth Will Trust.