HOMEs OF KINGS AS FILM STUDIO

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 121, 16 February 1920, Page 4

HOMEs OF KINGS AS FILM STUDIO

HISTORIC BEAUTIES' OF 'QATLANDS. New - 2ealanders wilb.be intej-csted to learn'that Oafiands-Lodge, for . part ot the war a Zealand hospi'al, lias nun-'been acquired - by a luoviug pipturo company. . ''' / ■' Thus an estate which, at one time, took a iirominent part in tho history of the country, ; will become a great illmproducing oenlire, where history may possibly be redacted (before tho camera). Mr. Cecil ■ Hopworth, Mr. Paul Kimhorley,''.and:all associated with the are determined that the beauty of the estate shall be maintained audits historic associations preserved. It a studio is irocted it will be'.'placed well away from the house, and the present studio, at : will be iretained as' a factory. ' "• : - Oatlahds Lodge forms' part'of the' ancient'- R6yal„ domain of Oatlands, where Henry'Vlli spent a fortnight in 1537. Queen Elizabeth was a trcnuent visitor. Her last sojourn the.ro was in IGo2,'vhen she is said to haVe shot'-with-cross-bow in the paddock. James I was-there somo tinie--'l)efore c Lis' coronation,' and 'Charles I' stayed. tKert: for stag hunting,though lie' found' tlieaccommodation - insufficient,- for his 'rctirtue. In' 1698'William'III granted Oatlands'to' LoVd Torrington, and lielde<ilienthecl" it !>0 vears iator'i'o Lord liincbln, whose 1 second sonmade the. alterations which'.added greatly .to Dat.lands's attractions.' TT<l donstriicted Broadwmteiv the '-wonderful' sheet—yes-' erday. covered with ice—which' should he, a pei'fwt ]joAn ; to' flfy 'film i>r6dujjer, and. also built/'tho'' famous'grotto; .Stalactites and a .Sunken Path, . This grotto is said, to have cost MI.AOO. It contains shells, minerals, mid spa brougnl iruii.l ail pans ui tl.ie Imitation stalactites hAng in every direction,'aii'd'one" of tlie three chambers contains a suuken batb. History says that tlie grotto was a.favourite retiring spot of, th(j'-"Dnche'ss df ; York-,'" who-'spent ■ much time there when the Duke wu£ fightingin i'ranfce; ,' How- t.ha film 1 producer v.'ill use the grotto' remains' to" be decided;! but one; "can' imagifts tlie ■.comi'iisisiin of fearful'critics'ih . these darkened chambers (with the camera and artificial light in the background).

At a later period the estn-te was broken up, but many 'of the most interesting features'are contained' in tl;a Oatlands:Lotlge Estate.- Close to the grotto is a rlelight'fiil oM' : 'c6ttagi>," ami tliij'site of the old Royal Palace is in i'V'Rrounds.' I" 'are''two bricked-up'-gate-' 'way£ 'surmounted by "pointed arches of ; moiilded brickwork. These belouwd to' a : building on the north-west ski®' of the palace, and there stc also' the remains of a subterranean' passage which, accoi'd'ing to traditifin, -ofice corincote'd the palace with a residence in : Wcybridge. • The housp itself contains some, ue'autiful carving, including-an oa¥ mantelpiece," bea'ririg • Oileeii Elizabeth's "arms;' which-' was brought''"from ■ Winclvjsier, while there are' loggias and campaniles which give views of some of.'the most delightful scenery'in Surrey; The'-estate .is 20 acres in extent, and almost at every turn one comes upon' unexpected vistas which should gladden the heart/of 'iitV:' imaginative ;fiim '.producer. With careful' manipulation there are''enough "fcn'cltgrttoridS" to . last for sqores of picture's, and tlie acquisition of Oattaiids Lodge will; give h; real impetus 16' British film production.