After hearing many, many times that someone had acquired the Hammer Studios name and was going to bring it back from the dead, it was so nice to finally see it happen, when John Gore finally started to do it. More than just ideas and plans, since Gore has taken the reigns, we’ve seen some amazing restorations of some of Hammer’s classic titles, as well as some of their lesser-known ones. Looking at John Gore Studios website and their mission statement, it really does sound like they are doing great things there and for the right reasons. As posted on their site, not only do they “believe in the power of compelling storytelling to ignite imagination and celebrate the enduring legacy of British film, television, and theatre”, but that they have a mission to “the acquisition, restoration, and distribution of historic film catalogues, ensuring these cultural touchstones remain vibrant and accessible.” Not only through acquiring the film rights, but also by using Silver Salt Restorations, another company owned by Gore, they can make them look as even better than when they first premiered. Just love to see that they understand and agree with the cultural relevance of these film titles, specifically the ones in the horror genre!

But recently, they announced they had acquired Tyburn Film Productions Limited, along with its entire catalogue from film and television. Tyburn was founded in 1971 by Kevin Francis, son of Oscar winning cinematographer Freddie Frances. They didn’t produce a great number of films but some interesting ones, specifically for us horror fans, Persecution (1974) starring Lana Turner and Ralph Bates, The Ghoul (1975), starring Peter Cushing, John Hurt, and Veronica Carlson, The Legend of the Werewolf (1975), starring Peter Cushing and Hugh Griffith. But also, the 1989 documentary Peter Cushing: One-Way Ticket to Hollywood, which is a wonderful piece on Cushing, basically a 90-interview with the gentleman of horror. Also included in the Tyburn package is The Mask of Death, a Sherlock Holmes mystery with Cushing reprising his Holmes character with John Mills as Watson. This was written by Hammer’s Anthony Hinds and directed by Roy Ward Baker.

Kevin Francis had said that “After 54 years with Tyburn, it is time for me to take things a little easier. Over the next year, I shall continue with Tyburn and assist in consolidating it within the John Gore Studios Group. I cannot think of a better future home for Tyburn and its catalogue. John Gore Studios understands both the tradition and opportunity which come with Tyburn.”

Although, one puzzling thing is that in all of these press releases, even on the John Gore Studios website, they mention the acquirement of the 1973 film The Creeping Flesh, starring Cushing alongside Christopher Lee. But that was a Tigon Pictures production, not Tyburn. Had that title been acquired by Tyburn in the past? Either way, I’d love to see it come out in a special 4K edition but just seemed a bit odd seeing that title in there.