For this Friday Favorites, it’s going to be a tough one, at least for me! There are so many truly classic films from this studio, so I completely understand the difficulties in picking a single favorite. But let’s here it anyway!
As some of you know, Hammer actually started way back in the 1934, formed by former comedian, William Hinds. Their second film, The Mystery of the Mary Celeste (1937), which actually starred Bela Lugosi. In 1928, the Cinematograph Films Act of 1927 was put in effect, basically stating that a certain amount of films playing in the UK had to be produced in the UK. This gave the rise to smaller and low budget films being cranked out to fill this quota, which created the term “quota quickies”. Hammer took advantage of this and was one of those making quick productions, then distributing the films themselves, through their distribution arm, Exclusive Films. Once the ’50s hit, and they adapted Nigel Kneale’s TV serial The Quatermass Experiment into a feature film in 1955, there was no turning back. Soon after that, they would give new life to classic horror characters, such as Dracula, Dr. Frankenstein, the Mummy, and much, more. They continued their reign of terror into the mid ’70s before their eventual demise. While the name Hammer Films has returned, fans know it is just not the same, with the names like Fisher, Carreras, Hinds, Sangster, Lee, Cushing, Ripper, and so many other talented people, missing from the new films. But their legacy will always remain, as well as their fans.
So… What is YOUR favorite Hammer Film?
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If it counts, my favorite would be “The Woman in Black” as it was produced in part by Hammer. But if it doesn’t count, or if we are only talking Classics; it is hard to choose. I do tend to like a lot of their less popular ones for some odd reason. There is something about “The Satanic Rights of Dracula” that really grabs me. So it would either be that or Curse of Frankenstein.
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It’s under the Hammer banner, so it counts. While I still prefer the original version of WiB, they did a pretty good job with the remake. The sequel to the remake??? Not so much.
I am also a fan of Satanic Rites, maybe because with a few changes, I think it not only could have been a really good movie, I think Hammer could have started a whole new series.
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This is a tough one but depending on the day and mood I’m in Id have to go with Horror of Dracula. Seen it for the first time way back in grade school and loved it and still enjoy it today. Runner-ups Curse of the Werewolf, Frankenstein must be destroyed and Twins of evil.
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That’s the thing about these movies. You can’t argue with the choices here. They are great films.
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On most days, Twins of Evil. However, having watched Plague of the Zombies for the first time recently, it would be a close second.
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I forgot that one. For classic hammer horror, I change my answer to plague of the Zombies!
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Not my favorite, but damn do I love Plague. Andre Morell is SO DAMN good in there.
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Even though there are so many fantastic Hammer films, this is actually a pretty easy one for me! The Vampire Lovers sits firmly at the top of my list. I have loved the Carmilla novella since I read it as a teen and Lovers is my favorite cinematic incarnation of the story.
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That’s definitely in my top 5 Hammer titles…I fell in love with Ingrid Pitt (as well as countless others) after this movie. So good.
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I am going to go with “The Devil Rides Out”
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Great choice, Nick. I think this is one that seems to get missed because a lot of the attention goes to the Dracula, Frankenstein, and the other typical monster movies. Lee is great in here too.
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Can I have three? Because Curse of Frankenstein kicked off the Gothics, for its mood and atmosphere, and for how infinitely re-watchable it is, that’s probably my favorite. BUT Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed has my favorite scene in a Hammer film (the one where Cushing tells the other boarders that they are all stupid and backwards and if everyone were like them, humanity would still live in caves). And then there’s The Devil Rides Out, which I think it the most interesting story from Hammer. Also, special mention to Paranoiac for being the best non-supernatural Hammer film in my opinion, with a flawless performance from Oliver Reed.
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Glad you mentioned Paranoiac because I agree on how good that is, and because of Oliver Reed. So damn good. Granted, I think I’d still pick Scream of Fear for their black and white thrillers, but Paranoiac would be a close second!
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Another great topic for Friday Favorites – keep em coming, Jon!
My fave Hammer Horror would have to be HORROR OF DRACULA, followed closely by CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN. Also a shout-out for the QUATERMASS trio (great stuff!).
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Glad to hear from another Quatermass fan!
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So many classics , it is difficult to choose one favorite Hammer film. The Vampire Circus was a great one that gets overlooked.
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I remember seeing Vampire Circus after years of seeing photos from it, with the huge fangs and wondering how they could even talk?!?! But I will agree there is a lot of style in that film that I think is definitely overlooked.
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As the same for many of you, this is a very tough call. I would probably still have to say Vampire Lovers because it was really my introduction to Hammer. But I will say that Twins of Evil is a very close second. For the Frankenstein films, definitely Frankenstein Must be Destroyed. Cushing is at his most evilest here. But again, so many great ones in their history.
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