Media    From 1934 

Hammer Films

Categories: Cinema

Film company famous for its Gothic horror genre. Prominent during the 1960/70s. Peter Cushing and Sir Chistopher Lee starred in many of their Dracula and Frankenstein films. It ceased production in the 1980s, but the brand and the film library live on.

The company began life in a three-room office suite at Imperial House, Regent Street. Its founder was comedian William Hinds whose stage name was Will Hammer, after his home area, Hammersmith. By 1949 Hammer had been through bankruptcy and recovered to set up offices at 113-117 Wardour Street.

For studios they used a series of large houses around London. In 1951 they moved to what would become Bray Studios near Windsor. This began as a derelict house which Hammer remodelled for their requirements. That was their main base until 1966. They then shot 4 films at Elstree Studios.

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

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Hammer Films

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