uncacreepy Reviews

Quatermass and the Pit (1967)

Way ahead of it's time!

[13 March 2001]

This 1967 production shot in thirty days at MGM Studios near

Elstree, England, seems to improve as the years pass. Directed by

Roy Ward Baker, ( who helmed the famous 'A Night to Remember' in

1958 ) , keeps this thought provoking. convoluted story afloat. Nigel Kneale's profetic script appears on

many levels to be finding scientific credability as we learn more and

more about the planet Mars. A first rate cast dosen't hurt either. A

must see for anyone interested in Hammer, or on recent theories

concerning planet Earth's relationship with the red planet Mars. Note: If you enjoy this film, you may want to check-out the BBC

Series of the same name, and produced nearly a decade earlier.

The Evil of Frankenstein (1964)

More is less

[12 March 2001]

Third in the Hammer Frankenstein series, this effort clearly shows that more money can mean less film. ' Evil of Frankenstein' has far more production value than the previous two, but lacks in every other department. Peter Cushing manages to save the production from total disappointment with his snappy dialogue (much of which came from earlier films). Director Freddie Francis, is probably one of the best Directors of Photography in the business, but just doesn't come close to Terence Fisher's earlier Frankenstein sagas. Missing is Jack Asher's dazzling color photography, and writer Jimmy Sangster's wit. At the time this film was shot at Bray Studios, Universal were involved in the co-finance, and obviously supplied Hammer with the basic story-line - which has a mysterious echo of their 1940's 'House of Frankenstein,' minus it's monster stock company and it's charm. Producer-writer, Tony Hinds had the un-common ability to make a cheap picture look expensive, and an expensive picture look cheap. It's worth watching, for it shows clearly that the magic that had been Hammer was slowly fading-out. Oh, there would be a few goodies during the next decade, but they were few and far between. The Golden Days were over, but the money continued to pour in.

The Curse of Frankenstein (1957)

Still haunting after more than forty years.

[9 March 2001]

This is a film that almost never was. Originally planned as a 'quota quickie', and, as Terence Fisher stated. "As a send-up," it ended up changing the British Film Industry for all time. It had gone international. Fisher owed Hammer a film, and somehow he managed to pull a script together in much the same manner as the Baron did body parts. It has been said that Jack Warner hated the film, but released it anyway, opening in the very theatre where 'The House of Wax' had premiered several years before. It was a success, much to the delight of Warner, and to Hammer. It also marked the beginning of the screen-teaming of Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. Today, the film seems a bit slow and not quite sure where it's going, but in 1957 it delivered a wallop in vivid color, to a long-waiting legion of fans. This was the true jumping-off point for Hammer, a small company who had been in production for a number of years, and they filled the void left by the American majors in the production of the 'horror film.' In a way, the film's tag-line kept it's promise.... 'The Curse of Frankenstein will haunt you forever.'

Quite by accident, 'The Hammer Look' changed the face of the fantasy film for all time.

The Revenge of Frankenstein (1958)

The Last True Sequel in Series

[8 March 2001]

Revenge of Frankenstein is the only true sequel in the successful Hammer series. It is interesting to note, that principal photography began scant days after the completion of 'Horror of Dracula,' and it does not require a trained eye to see the re-dressed and painted Dracula sets throughout the film. Production Designer, Bernard Robinson, and Director, Terence Fisher both told me the paint on some of the flats had yet to dry when shooting began. Peter Cushing had the opportunity to refine and develop his portrayal as the driven Baron Frankenstein. His dialogue is caustic, witty and at times humorous. This again was the Golden Age of Hammer, that magic period that lasted but a short time. The team of Fisher, Robinson, Lighting Cameraman, Jack Asher, and a completely dedicated cast and crew shines as brightly as those newly painted sets. One of the best of the period, and still plays well today.

The Brides of Dracula (1960)

Hammer's Finast Hour

[5 March 2001]

This is the film where it all came together. Shot at Bray Studios, and locations at nearby Black Park, in six weeks, it seems to improve with age. It provided Production Designer Bernard Robinson with more studio space, on a new and larger stage. As fate would have it, this improvement burned shortly after production was completed. Director, Terence Fisher was in great form, and Jack Asher's wonderful use of color shines through. Probably one of the best of all of Hammer's out-put, and will no doubt gain attention as the decades pass. Full marks for cast, crew and that magic family cum team that was Hammer!