White House At Ealing Studios

The White House, located on Ealing Green, is a former house now used as offices. It dates back to the early 19th century and was extensively remodelled around 1931 by Robert Atkinson for Basil Dean and Sir Gerald du Maurier, to serve as the main offices for Ealing Film Studios. The building is constructed of brick, rendered white, and comprises a main rectangular block to the front and a long wing to the side. It exhibits a symmetrical façade, featuring a central pediment and a large projecting porch. The windows are metal casement types. Further features include pedimented gables and a bow window to the rear. The interior retains a 1930s metal staircase and some cornices.

The building is listed for its historic interest as the most prominent and well-known structure on the Ealing Studios site, representing the hub of its office activity. Ealing Studios holds significant historical importance as the most historically significant surviving film studios in England, recognised for both their architectural merit and their connection to British film history. The studios were initially established in 1908, chosen for their relatively smog-free environment near London. Following legislation in 1928 requiring a quota of British films to be shown in cinemas, the film industry experienced a revival. Basil Dean and Sir Gerald du Maurier founded Associated Talking Pictures in 1929, engaging the architectural partnership of Atkinson and Anderson to rebuild the site between 1931 and 1934. The studios are particularly noted for the films produced during the period from 1938 to 1958, under the direction of Michael Balcon, which were characterised by strong social commentary and memorable filmography, including titles such as 'Passport to Pimlico', 'Whisky Galore', 'Kind Hearts and Coronets', ‘The Lavender Hill Mob’, ‘The Titfield Thunderbolt’, and ‘The Ladykillers’.