Our street was recently the setting of a film shoot for a new commercial. Shot by prolific film production company Eyeline, the commercial was for a new menopause drug. The product is American, and the producers wanted to recreate a scene that would resemble a Brooklyn apartment building in New York. They decided that filming in Morshead Mansions would fit the bill perfectly!
For few hours, Morshead Mansions was occupied by a film crew, the actors and all of the production vehicles and equipment. There was even an enormous sun light on the opposite side of the street, giving the scene the feeling of summer.
Maida Vale is no stranger to the sight of film crews. Over the years, Maida Vale station has appeared many times on screen. In 1927 it featured in Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Downhill’, also the 1983 Stephen Poliakoff film ‘Runners’, both featuring shots down the escalators. In 1974, the exterior was used for a scene in the film adaptation of the popular TV sitcom ‘Man About the House’.
In 1998, both the interior and exterior of the station appear several times in the film ‘If Only’…, with scenes on the striking staircases and outside, by a mocked-up flower stall. The film starred Lena Headey, Douglas Henshall and Penelope Cruz in the leading roles.
Considering the screen appeal of the local area, it was probably only a matter of time until there was filming in Morshead Mansions too! If you’d like to find out more about production company Eyeline and view some of their award-wining work, you can visit their website by clicking here.
