A Brief History of Hammer
Article by Bindi Lavelle

Hammer Films, created epic horror on a shoe-string budgets, made Christopher Lee a star and have influenced horror films on a massive scale, but where did it start and what does Hammer films have to contribute today?

The company was founded in 1934 by British comedian and business-man William Hinds, and the following year released its first film, “The Public Life of Henry the Ninth”. Unfortunately the company folded in 1937.

Hinds' son Anthony reformed the studio two years later. During World War II the studio produced short films for fillers between features.

In the 50s things got interesting, Hammer secured American distribution and the rights to BBC's radio serials. Their adaptation of “The Quatermass Xperiment” was a hit, and Hammer decided to continue in the horror vein to ride on the success. This period showed the development of the quintessential Hammer style. By using English country houses rather than traditional sets, Hammer was able to give their films a lush look with some blood and sex thrown in for good measure. Once Hammer established its formula they stuck to the mantra if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

The 70s saw Hammer move into television land, with the Hammer house of horror series which were one hour affairs, essential a dark, sinister version of the outer limits.

This lead to the made for TV movie series “Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense” , which although made for a US audience, maintained its Bristishness.

The company folded shortly after this series.

But...

All is not lost, Dutch investors bough the rights to Hammer films, began releasing the back catalog on DVD and have finished primary shooting on the first Hammer film in over 30 years: “The Wake Wood” and are in pre-production for Matt “Cloverfield” Reeves re-make of “Let The Right One In”

The future looks bloody.