91³Ô¹ÏÍø

Media    From 1934 

Hammer Films

Categories: Cinema

Hammer Films

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 to see them

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

Commemorated ati

Hammer Films

Hammer Films Leading film production company based at Elstree from 1968. Home...

91³Ô¹ÏÍø

Peter Cushing

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

91³Ô¹ÏÍø

Other Subjects

Jon Pertwee

Jon Pertwee

Actor.  Born 3 Sheffield Terrace, Kensington. Having served in the Royal Navy and the Naval Intelligence Division during WW2 he became widely known during his 18 years (1959–77) playing Chief Petty...

Person, Cinema, Theatre, TV & Radio, USA

3 memorials
My Beautiful Laundrette

My Beautiful Laundrette

1985 film starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Gordon Warnecke, written by Hanif Kureishi and directed by Stephen Frears. The story concerns Omar, a young Pakistani man living in London, and his reunion a...

Media, Cinema

1 memorial
Kenneth Williams

Kenneth Williams

Comedy actor. Born Bingfield Street, N1. David Benson's 6 minute video of David Benson's Kenneth Williams walk showing the Argyle Square area of London where Kenneth grew up. And the BBC iPlayer ha...

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

5 memorials
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
Fred Astaire

Fred Astaire

Dancer, singer, actor. Born and died America. Brother and sister, Frederick and Adele Austerlitz, started as children as vaudeville performers. Between 1917 and 1932 they appeared in musical shows ...

Person, Cinema, Dance, Music / songs, Seriously Famous, USA

1 memorial