Hammer Film Productions

Hammer Film Productions is a film production company in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1934, the company is best known for its Gothic "Hammer Horror" films produced from the late 1950s until the 1970s — although the company also produced science fiction, suspense and comedy films; and in later years television series. The term "Hammer Horror" is often, incorrectly, used to refer to other films of the period made in a similar style by different companies, such as Amicus Productions and Tigon British Film Productions.

Related Topics:
United Kingdom - 1934 - Gothic - 1950s - 1970s - Science fiction - Amicus Productions - Tigon British Film Productions

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Hammer's success was due, in part, to distribution partnerships with major United States studios, such as Warner Brothers. Hammer films were extremely cheap to produce but nonetheless appeared lavish, making use of quality British actors and cleverly designed, or second-hand, sets, all of which contributed to their dominance of the horror market.

Related Topics:
United States - Warner Brothers

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During the late 1960s and 1970s the saturation of the horror market by competitors and the loss of American funding forced changes to the previously lucrative Hammer-formula, with varying degress of success. The company eventually ceased production in the mid-1980s and has remained in effective hibernation since, but has recently announced plans to begin making films again.

Related Topics:
1960s - 1970s

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