God's Own Junkyard are a company based in Walthamstow that have produced neon artwork and signs that are installed around London (primarily in Soho) for nearly seventy years. Their signs have appeared in several films, such as 'Captain America', 'Batman Begins', 'Tomb Raider', 'Who Killed Roger Rabbit', 'Mission Impossible', 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory', and 'Judge Dredd'. I visited God's Own Junkyard in Walthamstow a few years ago, and I fully recommend it. (You can read about that visit here: God's Own Junkyard). A new exhibition titled 'Electric City' came to Leadenhall Market from the end of May until the end of July this year to showcase the signs.
One of the films highlighted is Stanley Kubrick's 'Eyes Wide Shut'. Pinewood Studios was transformed into New York's Greenwich Village, and actual Manhattan neon signs were recreated for the set. No additional lighting was used in one of these scenes with the glow of the neon lights and Christmas lights offering the only illumination. The sign producers also were on set and got to hang out with Kubrick during the filming at Pinewood Studios. The below window shows signs used in the film.
'Judge Dredd' was another film that signs were made for, and the signs were set up in an unused space. In addition to the signs, the company's founders also appeared in the film as extras.
The final unit of the exhibition showcases the main signs used in other films or some designs offered on sale for the "Electric City" exhibition. I photographed most of them, which can be seen below.
I am a little bit behind on my posting for the past three or four months. I visited this exhibition in early July, and it has since finished.
Leave a comment