R-T-C Tim

Hi;

I'm new to this site having stumbled over it during a good search, I run a small DVD review site and I've just been reviewing a load of relatively forgotten early Hammer movies that have some good, cheap DVD releases from DD-video:

First, the Dick Barton trilogy - DVD review

A varied trilogy of spy films based on a popular BBC radio show.

Mask of Dust (1954) - DVD review

Directed by Terence Fisher this motor-racing film is big on car sequences but short on plot and characters.

Spaceways (1953) - DVD review

Although promoted as a sci-fi film, this is really a murder-mystery/detective movie set around the British space-programme, go in expecting this and you'll enjoy the film much more.

Four Sided Triangle (1953) - DVD review

A clever little sci-fi film with hints of the later Frankenstein pictures. Boasts some good acting, and very nice camerawork by Terence Fisher.

The Quatermass Xperiment (1955) - DVD review

Based on the highly popular TV serial, this film marked Hammer's first moves into X-rated, horror themed cinema, and they never looked back. An often tense film is well directed by Val Guest.

X the Unknown (1956) - DVD review

Hammer's thematic sequel to Quatermass, this often quite gory picture is a solid monster B-movie, that avoids falling into many of the cliche traps of many American pictures. Featuring the first full script from Jimmy Sangster.

Quatermass 2 (1957) - DVD review

This much larger scale sequel goes from monsters to government conspiracies. A very grim tone and some rather brutal scenes, especially for the time, make this a very impressive film.


A quick search on these boards show a few Hammer fans, so, has anyone seen any of these films, and what are your thoughts?

smudge

I found the DICK BARTONs to be very much in that solid, Boy's Own tradition and thus interesting from the nostalgia angle at first, but they are quite entertaining too.

MASK OF DUST is somewhat melodramatic, as is FOUR SIDED TRIANGLE, despite its indications towards the future Frankenstein. Perhaps it would have been better with someone different to Stephen Murray having been cast.

SPACEWAYS again more melodramatic than 'real' sci-fi. Howard Duff by name and duff by nature I'm afraid IMO.

I don't think you can go wrong with either of the Quatermass films, both tight little thrillers and the sequel is (again IMO) even better than the first - the scene where Broadhead burns is still shocking to this day ; so well played.

X The Unknown seems somewhat slower paced by comparison, but still has some nice touches and shocks (radiation burns etc.) Again may have benefitted from different casting of the Dean Jagger role.

A lot of the other pre-horror Hammers, their noir films, are due to be released in the US soon.

SMUDGE

Welcome to my house. Enter freely, and of your own will...

R-T-C Tim

Yes, I'm looking forward to the Hammer noir set, looks very interesting.

DB7

Which noirish titles are they releasing? Has a schedule been released?

R-T-C Tim

There is a set coming out on 25th July, including:

Bad Blonde - a.k.a The Flanagan Boy (1953)
Man Bait - a.k.a The Last Page (1952) - The first Hammer film from Terence Fisher
A Stolen Face (1952)
Blackout - a.k.a Murder by Proxy (1954)
Gambler and the Lady (1952)
Heat Wave - a.k.a The House Across the Lake (1954)

I think there may be more in the pipeline for the future as well. The complete set is jut £14.99 at axelmusic.com and also available in 2-film sets.

A quick bit of history/background: During the early 1950s, Hammer was just a B-movie studio, shooting cheap British pictures to fill up the cinemas legal quotas of British films (a law designed to keep the domestic film industry alive following WW2). They shot a number of films based on British radio plays, but these were not suitable for selling overseas, so they shot a number of crime pictures in the style of the time, even importing American leading actors to give the films marquee value in the USA and make them sellable.

DB7

Yes, these are the films aimed at Lippert and the US market. I've seen a few of them but they're not up to the standard of later thrillers like Cash on Demand or The Snorkel.

smudge

The first set is out, but Amazon US are taking a heck of a time to ship them.

SMUDGE

Welcome to my house. Enter freely, and of your own will...

Vincent Broadhead

I would dearly love to see 'Cash on Demand' get a DVD release, a real gem imho.

:)

Steve

Vincent Broadhead

Does anyone know where this can be obtained at a cheap-ish price?

Steve

R-T-C Tim

£14.99 delivered sound okay?

AxelMusic.com

(If you don't know this company, there are a Danish based R1 importer who ship to anywhere in Europe. I've had no problems with them that they haven't solved quickly and they ship quicker than most of the US based firms - plus no customs risks).


Cash on Demand is another Columbia title, very few of their Hammer films have been released on DVD (in fact they account for pretty much every missing Hammer title).

Mondo Esoterica - Cult and obscure DVD reviews from Spaghetti Westerns to Hammer Horror.

ScreamQueen

Hey All,

This seems as good a thread as any (given it's already discussing Hammer!) to give you all a heads up on screenings of three classic Hammers; brand new prints too, so this is a somewhat rare occurance.

Frightfest are having a Hammer retrospective on their opening day (August 25th), showing:

The Hounds of the Baskervilles (1959)

Twins of Evil (1971)

and Countess Dracula (1971)

In addition to special guests, there will be the opportunity to win signed 10x8's of the legend Christopher Lee - all you needs to do to be in with a chance of winning is attend the event dressed as your favourite Hammer character!

Further details/ticketing at the website: FrightFest - The UK's premiere Fantasy and Horror Film Festival

Vincent Broadhead

Thank you Tim, my order just went in.

Steve

suzi

new to this too havent figured it yet love old movies especially horror and ealing/british comedies also any other old british dramas as very gritty and down to earth characters. Bette Davis did a few good macabre ones in her time tho. suzi