DB7

Amazon Synopsis: When the relatively unknown Hammer Films released "The Curse of Frankenstein" in 1957 it unexpectedly struck gold. The reactions of a lynch mob of critics brought the audiences flooding into the cinemas and the film ultimately recovered its modest production budget thirty times over and launched an international 'brand' that would become a part of the British way of life. Originally formed in 1934 and previously known for quickie melodramas, police thrillers and monochrome sci-fi features, Hammer was quick to capitalise on the film's success. By 1979, when the studio ceased production, Hammer's trademark combination of gore and decolletage had in dozens of Frankenstein, Dracula and vampire movies that would continue to be a staple of late-night television for years to come.

Hammer was a very British success story. A family business, it operated from the improbable setting of a Berkshire country house, employed largely British casts and catered to the long-established British taste for grand guignol that teetered on the edge of self-parody. But its production values were high by the standards of the time and the genre and in addition to establishing the careers of its regular stars like Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee it gave a surprisingly large number of British actors and directors their first break and film-makers including Scorsese, Spielberg and Tarantino have all acknowledges its influence on their work. The author has interviewed many of the surviving actors and other employees most of whom recollect their times at Hammer with amusement and affection.

ChristineCB

I haven't seen this one on the library shelves, but I'm wondering if you've an opinion about the quality of the following three books:

Kinsey's HAMMER: THE BRAY STUDIO YEARS

Meikle's HISTORY OF HORROR RISE & FALL OF HAMMER

Hutchings' HAMMER & BEYOND HISTORY OF BRITISH HORROR

I'm going to pick up one of them but, often with such works, if one disappoints me, I end up losing interest and a desire to do further 'research' reading (mostly because I ain't doing real research for a purpose)!

smudge

I read the Denis Meikle ages ago and can recommend it.

I've not yet waded through Wayne's BRAY YEARS completely, but he maintains a very high standard in the part work from which it is derived THE HOUSE THAT HAMMER BUILT, so I'd say yes again.

Both authors maintain a good working relationship with Dick Klemensen and his LSoH magazine, the definitive Hammer publication, so that is a major recommendation.

A good general work is Jonathan Rigby's ENGLISH GOTHIC, which I often dip into for invaluable pieces of reference.

Smudge

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

Dr Amicus

All three are worth your time - but for very different reasons.

Meikle's is, IMHO, the best single volume history of Hammer. There are a few errors (I understand) but nothing particularly struck me. It's a good overview of Hammer's whole history, and manages a decent mix of production history and analysis - although tending towards the former. And it's very readable.

Kinsey's book is fantastic - but only covers the Bray years (up to The Mummy's Shroud). Enormously detailed, especially some really useful material on the BBFC, but it's strictly chronological narrative means that Film A is in production, Film B is in Production, Film A has a run in with the Censor, Film B has production problems, Film C is started, Film A is re-edited.... Not as easy a read as the Meikle, but for depth it's unrivalled - and is a bit stronger on analysis of the films. I haven't read his follow up yet, but it is high on my wants list.

Huchings' book is mistitled - basically it's an update of David Pirie's A Heritage of Horror (very highly recommended if you can find a copy - still the most important and referenced work in the field) with added psychoanalytical theory. It can be hard work in places, and I have serious disagreements in many places with him, but if you have a background in film theory it's worth a look. I have to say, Hutchings' later books (on Terence Fisher and Dracula) are rather better, especially the latter.

The Meikle is expensive and the Hutchings out of print - the Kinsey might be the one to go for (or, if you can get a decently priced copy, the Meikle if you don't want to be overwhelmed by the detail).

ChristineCB

Thanks for all of these. My worst habit in non-fiction reading is starting The Wrong Book First, where the Wrong Book is so boring or dull that it drains my interest on the subject and destroys my willingness to read a second book.

These reviews and recommendations give me better ideas of which book to start with and, if I do find one of these book less fulfilling, I can mollify myself by thinking, "Oh well, there's always another book to read..."

So, thanks for all of these excellent notes.

Lord Brett

I got Wayne Kinsey's second book (the Elstree Years) as I saw happened to see it at the National Media Museum bookshop and was bowled over by it - the best book on Hammer I've ever read. I'll be putting The Bray Years on my Christmas list!