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

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Hammer Films

Commemorated ati

Peter Cushing

Peter Cushing, star of Hammer Films and many other motion pictures, 'A true g...

Read More

Other Subjects

Celia Johnson

Celia Johnson

Actor. Born Celia Elizabeth Johnson at 46 Richmond Hill, Richmond, Surrey. Best known for her performance with Trevor Howard in the 1945 film 'Brief Encounter'; which, although it has been parodied...

Person, Cinema, Seriously Famous, Theatre, TV & Radio

1 memorial
Dr Mark Jonathan David Damien Lister Patterson

Dr Mark Jonathan David Damien Lister Patterson

Chairman of the GLC Covent Garden Committee. Also Chairman of the GLC Viewing Subcommittee, which recommended films for censorship. The Guardian of 7 July 1984 reported that "Dr Mark Patterson, th...

Person, Cinema, Medicine, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
William Hartnell

William Hartnell

Actor.  Born  24 Regent Square.  First to take the role of Dr Who, 1963-66. Died in a hospital near Maidstone.

Person, Cinema, TV & Radio

1 memorial
Paul Newman

Paul Newman

Actor. Born Ohio. Died at home in Connecticut. We are delighted, and surprised, to be adding Paul Newman to LondonRemembers. We can't pinpoint any specific, direct connection between Newman and...

Person, Cinema, Seriously Famous, USA

1 memorial
Montagu Pyke

Montagu Pyke

In 1908 Pyke converted two shops at 164-166 Edgware Road into a cinema. This was a success and he created more, naming each one the Cinematograph Theatre. By 1910 he had 5 cinemas, each an independ...

Person, Cinema

1 memorial