HAMMER HOUSE OF HORROR /

HAMMER HOUSE OF MYSTERY AND SUSPENSE

(dt: Gefrier-Schocker/Vorsicht, Hochspannung!)

Abb. NN: Prunella Gee in Witching Time

Abb. NN: Rachel Davies und Nicholas Clay in The House That Bled to Death

Abb. NN: A Power Drill to the Head: Peter McEnery in The Mark of Satan

1980 bzw. 1984, lange nachdem Hammer die Filmproduktion eingestellt hatte, entstanden je 13 Folgen der oben genannten Serien, die schon traditionsgemäß bei ihrer Entstehung als lieblose Durchschnittsware abqualifiziert wurden, heute jedoch als Kultserien gehandelt werden. Dies hat die über die Rechte verfügende Firma Carlton Entertainment erkannt und 2000/2001 Hammer House of Horror auf vier Cassetten bzw DVDs veröffentlicht. Zumindest hier ist man also inzwischen nicht mehr auf Uralt-Kopien aus dem Fernsehen angewiesen.
Thriller-Fans werden auch bei diesen aufwendiger (durchgängig auf Film) produzierten Gruselgeschichten auf ihre Kosten kommen. Die Stars geben sich die Klinke in die Hand, Hammer-Veteranen wie Val Guest und Alan Gibson laufen bei den immens spannenden Child's Play, In Possession und The Two Faces of Evil noch einmal zur Hochform auf. Verläßliche TV-Autoren und -Regisseure (Tom Clegg, Ranald Graham, Anthony Read, Brian Clemens) steuern ebenfalls Beachtliches bei.

Val Guest (left), Alan Gibson (with Christopher Lee), Don Leaver (right)

Dieser Eintrag wäre ohne den Timescreen-Artikel von Michael Richardson und Andrew Pixley nicht denkbar, die für "Houses of Horror" die Ursprünge der Serien recherchiert haben:
"In 1978 (...) Brian Lawrence and Roy Skeggs (...) [formed] their own production company, Cinema Arts (...). Lawrence had joined Hammer in 1945, quickly rising through the ranks, whilst Skeggs arrived in 1963, working his way up to Production Supervisor, and produced his first film for the company in 1972. They assumed control of the Hammer name in September 1979, buying it from the official receiver."
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)

Das Problem für Lawrence und Skeggs: Wie verkauft man eine zeitgemäße Horror-Anthologie an das Fernsehen? Nach eigener Einschätzung war ihre Drehbuchsammlung nicht mehr geeignet für eine Verwertung, so daß neues Material in Auftrag gegeben wurde:
"Commissioning contemporary scripts, with emphasis towards Eighties presentation, this meant plenty of violence and gratuitous blood, probably unparalleled on British primetime TV! Also incorporated into the format were liberal glimpses of female nudity, deemed necessary for attracting the prospective audience."
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)

Letztlich verantwortlich für die Auswahl der Drehbücher war dann Anthony Read, der zwar kein Hammer-Veteran war, aber mit einem stattlichen Erfahrungsschatz bei Fernsehserien aufwarten konnte (Doctor Who, The Lotus Eaters, The Professionals).
"Realising that they needed somebody who understood TV as opposed to films, Skeggs and Lawrence, secured the services of the experienced Anthony Read, making him script editor. (...) Read joined the production, early April 1980, having about three weeks in which to get organised and familiar with the product. The new Hammer held just a solitary useable script, the first draft of Visitor From The Grave by (Anthony) Hinds using his alias, "John Elder", plus a stockpile of unsolicited material. Quickly writing Witching Time, Read approached the majority of the writers personally, though he and Skeggs accepted several freelance submissions which Read would develop together with the writer. (...) Read departed upon completion of filming in mid-October, stating that Hammer House of Horror was one of the happiest and enjoyable experiences of his career."
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)

Brian Clemens (left), Anthony Hinds

Die 13 Folgen, die im Episodenführer detailliert besprochen werden, wurden in der fürs Fernsehen üblichen Eile abgedreht, so Richardson und Pixley weiter:
The series would be filmed entirely on location, in the cost effective method pioneered on British television by Euston Films. They were also busy choosing a production crew, trying to locate as many old Hammer personnel as possible. Mainly the old company would be represented by freelance writers, directors and composers. (...) Overall, the thirteen episodes took six months to film, averaging a 13/14 day completion turnaround. Read freely admitted that the timetable proved exceptionally hectic, and others like (Ian) Scoones thought nothing of working a 13 hour day! Such was demand that only minor alterations to actual shooting scripts could be permitted, hence the finished instalments appear practically as written.
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)

EPISODE GUIDE I
Hammer House of Horror
Executive Producers Brian Lawrence David Reid Producer Roy Skeggs Story Editor Anthony Read Title Music Roger Webb
(1.01) Witching Time tx 13.09.80 starring Jon Finch Prunella Gee Patricia Quinn Ian McCulloch Writer Anthony Read Director Don Leaver
GERMAN: Die Hexe von Woodstock Farm
Richardson/Pixley: "Witching Time became the first story in production (...) coming across as a tense, thrilling, supernatural tale. Don Leaver's direction worked tremendously well in this medium (...) Kate O'Mara was originally offered the rôle of the witch in the episode, but she was occupied with theatre work when shooting was due to occur."
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)

James Bernard

(1.02) The Thirteenth Reunion tx 20.09.80 starring Julia Foster Warren Clarke George Innes Dinah Sheridan Writer Anthony Read Director Don Leaver (vs Peter Sasdy; tbv)
GERMAN: Die Dinnerparty
Journalist Ruth Cairns investigates the mysterious goings-on on a health farm.
Richardson/Pixley: "The Thirteenth Reunion bubbled along as a bizarre mystery (...) Peter Sasdy's direction impressed enough to secure him another couple of episodes (...).
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)
(1.03) Rude Awakening tx 27.09.80 starring Denholm Elliott Lucy Gutteridge James Laurenson Writer Gerald Savory Director Peter Sasdy
GERMAN: (tbv)
Estate agent Norman Shenley is severely obsessed with Lolly, his secretary. His decision to get rid of his wife leads to equally severe nightmares.
Richardson/Pixley: "Denholm Elliot carries Rude Awakening almost singlehandedly (...) [T]he script from playwright and former BBC Head of Drama Gerald Savory twists and bends, until one is never sure whether he is dreaming or not."
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)
(1.04) Growing Pains tx 04.10.80 starring Barbara Kellerman Matthew Blakstad Gary Bond Writer Nicholas Palmer Director Francis Megahy
GERMAN: (tbv) Richardson/Pixley: "For Growing Pains Nicholas Palmer - a writer/producer who had worked on Beasts at ATV - put together the cleverest script of the series, though half the credit should go to Francis Megahy (...) who builds an extremely atmospheric tension throughout the proceedings. "
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)
(1.05) The House That Bled to Death tx 11.10.80 starring Rachel Davies Nicholas Ball Emma Ridley Writer David Lloyd Director Tom Clegg
GERMAN: Das Haus des Grauens
Richardson/Pixley: "This is principally a haunted house story (...) The scenario works in a vein similar to the film The Amityville Horror (1979) (...) [A]lthough the episode is gory it never reaches the standards of Charlie Boy.
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)
(1.06) Charlie Boy tx 18.10.80 starring Leigh Lawson Angela Bruce Marius Goring Writers Bernie Cooper Francis Megahy Director Robert Young
GERMAN: Charlie Boy
The new owners of an ancient African idol discover that its powers are turned against their friends.
Richardson/Pixley: "The most powerful of all the episodes (...). Writers Bernie Cooper and Francis Megahy really deliver the goods (...)Robert Young's more than competent direction added to the overall look (...)."
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)
(1.07) The Silent Scream tx 25.10.80 starring Peter Cushing Brian Cox Elaine Donnelly Anthony Carrick Writer Francis Essex Director Alan Gibson
GERMAN: Die Experimente des Mr. Blueck
Richardson/Pixley: "Francis Essex, responsible for scripting duties on ITC's Shillingbury Tales, seems well out of his depth here, as the storyline struggles to maintain any momentum (...) Skeggs admired him [Cushing] all the more for doing the episode, which Cushing hated but completed out of loyalty to Hammer."
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)
(1.08) Children of the Full Moon tx 01.11.80 starring Diana Dors Christopher Cazenove Celia Gregory Robert Urquhart Writer Murray Smith Director Tom Clegg
GERMAN: Kinder des Vollmonds
Richardson/Pixley: "Another less-than-satisfactory attempt (...), possibly the closest in style to the old Hammer, and the only instalment to feature a monster as such. (...) Tom Clegg (...) cannot save what is essentially poor writing."
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)
(1.09) The Carpathian Eagle tx 08.11.80 starring Anthony Valentine Suzanne Danielle Sian Phillips Pierce Brosnan Writers Bernie Cooper Francis Megahy Music Wilfred Josephs Director Francis Megahy
GERMAN: Das Vermächtnis des Falkners
Richardson/Pixley: "Underrated actress Suzanne Danielle showed her worth in Carpathian Eagle, a non-fantasy tale about an unbalanced, schizoid history writer. (...) Cooper and Megahy again supplied excellent material (...)."
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)
(1.10) Guardian of the Abyss tx 15.11.80 starring Ray Lonnen Rosalyn Landor Paul Darrow John Carson Writer David Fisher Director Don Sharp
GERMAN: Die Wächter des Höllenschlunds
Richardson/Pixley: "Another fine example strongly offering traits associated with the old Hammer (...). Brought onto the production by Read, Fisher and the script editor had worked together for several years on series such as The Troubleshooters and Doctor Who. (...) Don Sharp does a splendid job directing, after Hammer veteran, the late Terence Fisher, could not accept the appointment at the last moment due to illness."
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)
(1.11) Visitor from the Grave tx 22.11.80 starring Kathryn Leigh Scott Simon MacCorkingdale Gareth Thomas Writer John Elder Director Peter Sasdy
Richardson/Pixley: "[R]ather pedestrian with a transparent plotline (...)."
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)
(1.12) The Two Faces of Evil tx 29.11.80 starring Anna Calder-Marshall Paul Hawkins Gary Raymond Pauline Delany Writer Ranald Graham Director Alan Gibson
Richardson/Pixley: "Not even the direction of the late Alan Gibson could apparently save The Two Faces Of Evil (originally named Doppleganger [sic]) (...) [It borrows] concepts from both versions of Invasion of the Bodysnatchers (1956 & 1978) (...) Writer Ranald Graham certainly seemed more at home with crime series (...)."
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)
I cannot agree. One of the best, with highly efficient performances and directorial touches.
(1.13) The Mark of Satan tx 06.12.80 starring Peter McEnery Georgina Hale Emrys James Writer Don Shaw Photography Norman Warwick, B.S.C. Music Paul Patterson Special Effects Ian Scoones Editor Peter Weatherley Designer Carolyn Jones Director Don Leaver
GERMAN: Die Handlanger des Satans
Richardson/Pixley: "Last both in production and transmission order was The Mark Of Satan by Don Shaw (...) The incomprehensible storyline deals with a hospital ancillary worker who believes he has contracted a strange disease. The plot unceremoniously goes nowhere for the initial forty minutes, whilst 'appalling' describes some of the acting with it being impossible to feel any sympathy for the characters. Attempting to work on several levels like Rude Awakening, it fails hopelessly. There are no explanations given for Edwin's irrational behaviour. (...) Overall the episode appears rushed, and could possibly be a last minute replacement for another instalment. The production crew remained constant throughout until this episode when about half the crew change, suggesting that they were hastily reassembled, but some already had work lined up, hence being unavailable."
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)

Die Investoren von Hammer House of Horror waren aufgrund von personellen Wechseln in den Chefetagen nicht mehr verfügbar, weshalb die Produktion mehrere Jahre auf Eis lag. War Hammer House of Horror noch eine rein britische Produktion, so wurde bei der Nachfolgeserie nach Thriller-Vorbild auf amerikanische Hilfe zurückgegriffen: Darsteller wie Mary Crosby, Peter Graves, Christina Raines, Barbi Benton, Carol Lynley und Michelle Phillips sollten wieder einmal die Attraktivität für den amerikanischen Markt sicherstellen. Entgegen der herrschenden Meinung, die sich am traditionellen Hammer-Kanon orientiert, sind nahezu alle der Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense-Folgen geglückt und echte Klassiker.
Richardson/Pixley:
"Backing was obtained from 20th Century Fox - who would screen the series in America under the title Fox Mystery Theatre - on the grounds that the new ninety minute films had a heavier emphasis on thrills and mystery, with an omission of the horror and supernatural aspects which had made Hammer House of Horror so memorable. Blood and gore of the type seen in the other series would have made the films unsaleable for primetime viewing in America. Of the thirteen films that finally were shown, only half the episodes had a strong fantasy content. The running time to fit a ninety minute commercial slot was dictated by Fox, despite protests from Skeggs, but the worldwide markets felt that the Hammer name would be best attached to something which filled a feature length schedule. (...) Having allowed up to three million dollars per film, Fox were delighted when Hammer cost the entire thirteen episodes at only four million pounds. (...) [T]he US prints for (..) [Fox Mystery Theatre] would be identical, save for the opening credit title slide which would give the alternate title, but in identical white and red fairground lettering on a black background."
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)

Auch die neue Serie sollte eine Art "Familienunternehmen" werden:
"Skeggs again went to great trouble assembling a crew containing some old Hammer technicians, plus people who worked on Hammer House of Horror. An impressive group of directors was also assembled. With a promise of three films, old hand Val Guest joined the series with the fifth episode, In Possession. Alan Cooke's pedigree included work on series such as The Human Jungle (...) Tom Clegg (...) and the late Alan Gibson (...) were also approached to oversee other segments, but these never came to pass."
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)

Insgesamt gingen 240 (!) Drehbuchentwürfe ein, so Richardson/Pixley weiter, darunter mehrere von Brian Clemens und Dennis Spooner. "The two principal directors hired to work on the show were John Hough and Peter Sasdy, both highly respected and talented directors, whom it was decided would work back to back, alternating episodes. (...) Each episode was allocated a ten to thirteen day shooting schedule, at the end of which a director would have the episode taken out of his hands and any additional material completed by a second unit. (...) A factor in keeping costs down whilst giving high visual variety was to shoot as much of the series on location as possible."
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)

Die Episoden wurden in der Reihenfolge Czech Mate, The Sweet Scent of Death, A Distant Scream, The Late Nancy Irving, Black Carrion, Possession, Mark of the Devil, Last Video and Testament, Child's Play, The Corvini Inheritance, Paint Me a Murder, And the Wall Came Tumbling Down, The Tennis Court produziert.
Probleme bei der Ausstrahlung und übermächtige Konkurrenz waren letztlich dafür verantwortlich, daß Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense kein Erfolg beschieden war:
"It had taken thirty-six weeks to complete the thirteen movies and a forty-four-man crew had now come to the end of the road. (...) [I]t was hoped that the new set of thirteen films could be launched in June 1984 on ITV, securing the 8.30pm to 10.00pm slot on a Thursday evening. This was unfortunately not to be, and the premiere was pushed back to September and given a networked start one evening at 10.30pm after the main ITN news. (...)
Anthologies were popular again, though this meant that Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense had potent competitors in the international marketplace. [Richardson/Pixley list Amazing Stories, The Twilight Zone, Tales from the Darkside]. (...) However with the series soon falling to non-networked slots in the UK, and gaining Hammer very little recognition when retitled for the US market, when it came to subcontracting a new season of movies Fox decided to take their money elsewhere - much to the disappointment of the writers and directors on the first season who were already starting work on thirteen more films."
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)

1985 wurden 12 Episoden auf Video herausgebracht, diese Cassetten sind natürlich lange vergriffen.

EPISODE GUIDE II
Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense
Executive Producer Brian Lawrence Producer Roy Skeggs Executive Story Editor Don Houghton
(1.01) Mark of the Devil tx 05.09.84 starring Dirk Benedict Jenny Seagrove George Sewell Peter Settelen Tom Adams Burt Kwouk Robert Lee Anthony Chinn Writer Brian Clemens Story Editor John Peacock Photography Frank Watts, B.S.C. Art Director Carolyn Scott Music David Bedford Editor Bob Dearberg G.B.F.E. Director Val Guest
GERMAN: Gebrandmarkt
Gambling man Frank is about to strike it rich by marrying a businessman's daughter. The trouble is he must come up with some cash soon. Frank discovers a tattooist's hidden fortune which may pave his way out of trouble ...
Spieler und Playboy kämpft gegen Tätowierung.
Richardson/Pixley: "Tattoo - later retitled Mark of the Devil - was back in the true Hammer vein, or rather going as far as the new format would allow, and Clemens' script is vastly superior to his previous offering [The Sweet Scent of Death]."
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)
(1.02) Last Video and Testament tx 12.09.84 starring David Langton Oliver Tobias Deborah Raffin Clifford Rose Shane Rimmer Robert Rietty Writer Roy Russell Story Robert Quigley Story Editor John Peacock Photography Brian West, B.S.C. Art Director Carolyn Scott Editor Peter Weatherley, G.B.F.E. Director Peter Sasdy
GERMAN: Die elektronische Falle
Businessman Victor Frankham discovers his young wife is unfaithful to him.
Diese Geschichte um den Betrug einer Frau am älteren und wohlhabenden Ehemann erinnert frappierend an den Kolportage-Film Due Maschi Per Alexa (Bitterer Whisky/Im Rausch der Sinne), mit Curd Jürgens, Juan Gallardo und Rosalba Neri (1967). (Poe-Fans werden freilich auch Spuren von "The Black Cat" erkennen.) Irgendwie wird man den Verdacht nicht los, daß die Logik stellenweise ein wenig auf der Strecke bleibt, unterm Strich jedoch schauspielerisch beeindruckend und spannend.
(1.03) Czech Mate tx 17.01.86 starring Patrick Mower Susan George Peter Vaughan Sandor Eles Steve Plytas Jeremy Burnham Roy Boyd Writer Jeremy Burnham Photography Brian West, B.S.C. Art Director Carolyn Scott Music John McCabe Editor Peter Weatherley, G.B.F.E. Director John Hough
GERMAN: Schach der Dame
John Duncan persuades his estranged wife Vicky to go with him on a trip to Prague. Upon arrival John disappears, and Vicky seems lost in a foreign country.
Ein Vorläufer von Frantic etc. und daher große Klasse. Die Besetzung, Mower und George, klingt eher unwahrscheinlich, aber sie stellen sich ganz in den Dienst der Geschichte.
Richardson/Pixley: "[It] showed the notable change in style from previous Hammer items, and was a tautly written and frighteningly possible thriller (...)."
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)
(1.04) A Distant Scream tx 24.01.86 starring David Carradine Stephanie Beacham Stephen Greif Stephan Chase Fanny Carby Writer Martin Worth Photography Brian West, B.S.C. Art Director Carolyn Scott Assistant Director Ken Baker Music Paul Patterson Editor Peter Weatherley, G.B.F.E. Associate Producer/Director John Hough
GERMAN: Schrei aus der Ferne
Michael and married Rosemary are on holiday at the seaside where Rosemary encounters an old man bearing a striking resemblance to her lover.
Richardson/Pixley: "[A] rewrite of his episode The Last Witness from the 1971 season of Out of the Unknown, put together in desperation by the writer after Don Houghton dropped another idea. (...) It evolved into a very clever time travel tale, the first real fantasy entry of the series (...) The story was not at all predictable and so gripping until the final page of the script. (...) [S]hooting took place down on the Cornish coast in late 1983."
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)
(1.05) The Late Nancy Irving tx 07.02.86 starring Christina Raines Tony Anholt Marius Goring Simon Williams Lewis Fiander Writer David Fisher Photography Brian West, B.S.C. Art Director Carolyn Scott Music Paul Glass Editor Bob Dearberg, G.B.F.E. Director Peter Sasdy
GERMAN: Der Blutraub
Golf pro Nancy is pursued by a mysterious man and suddely finds herself awakening in a remote hospital.
Richardson/Pixley: "[I]t could almost be termed a 'modern-day' vampire story, although such horror pretences are lost in a set-up which seems more akin to a Brian Clemens plot for Thriller."
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)
(1.06) In Possession tx 07.03.86 starring Christopher Cazenove Carol Lynley Brendan Price Carl Rigg Writer Michael J Bird Story Editor John Peacock Photography Brian West, B.S.C. Art Director Carolyn Scott Music Paul Patterson Editor Peter Weatherley Director Val Guest
GERMAN: Besuch aus der Zukunft
Couple Frank and Sylvia Daly experience a night of terror.
Ein Paar hat gemeinsame Visionen – oder doch nicht? Unheimlich und unheimlich gut, ein fabelhaftes Alterswerk des Vieldrehers Val Guest, der sich in den 70ern mit anspruchslosen Komödien über Wasser hielt.
Richardson/Pixley: "This was in fact merely another rewrite of an old script from Out of the Unknown, performed on the episode The Uninvited (...)."
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)
(1.07) Black Carrion tx 14.03.86 starring Season Hubley Leigh Lawson Linda Hayden Norman Bird Allan Love James/Julian Littman Christopher Ellison Forbes Collins Peter Polycarpou Geoffrey Lesley Diana Malin Writer Don Houghton Story Editor John Peacock Photography Brian West, B.S.C. Art Director Carolyn Scott Music Paul Patterson Editor Bob Dearberg, G.B.F.E. Associate Producer/Director John Hough
GERMAN: Das Geheimnis von Briars Court
Why did two pop stars, the Verne brothers, suddenly disappear from the scene when they were highly popular?
Those who like this kind of thing (you sure as hell have got taste!) should try the similarly plotted Eddie and the Cruisers (US 1984).
Richardson/Pixley: "[A] tale much more in the Hammer vein (...) Another old friend from the Sixties was an oft-used piece of stock footage showing a white Jaguar hurtling to its doom over a cliff edge which had turned up in The Baron, The Saint, The Champions, Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) and The Adventurer amongst others. Several special music tracks were recorded for this episode, mixed with cover versions to conjure up quite a unique atmosphere."
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)
(1.08) The Sweet Scent of Death tx 04.04.86 starring Dean Stockwell Shirley Knight Carmen DuSautoy Michael Gothard Robert Lang Andrew Seear Writer Brian Clemens Photography Brian West, B.S.C. Art Director Carolyn Scott Music John McCabe Costumes Designer Laura Nightingale Editor Bob Dearberg, G.B.F.E. Director Peter Sasdy
GERMAN: Boten des Todes
Ann, married to American Greg, meets a sinister man in the couple's isolated country house.
Clemens verwertet hier Motive aus Possession (Thriller: Dämonen des Bösen). Keine schlechte Idee eigentlich, aber die Besetzung mit der altjüngferlichen Shirley Knight (eine Art Zwillingsschwester von Shelley Winters) beweist, daß man mit US casting auch hereinfallen und einer Geschichte die Tiefe nehmen kann. Die Folge ist nicht übel, wäre aber noch um einiges besser, wenn Knights Part ähnlich brillant besetzt wäre wie Carmen Du Sautoys Nebenrolle.
Richardson/Pixley: "[A] distinct effort to make this more in the vein of (...) Thriller than an outlandish Hammer offering - although certain elements are borrowed from the The Joker episode of The Avengers. The result is merely a routine thriller with typically lots of red herrings from Clemens along the way."
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)
(1.09) Paint Me A Murder tx 11.04.86 starring James Laurenson Michelle Phillips Morgan Sheppard Tony Steedman Alan Lake Richard Parmentier Gerald Sim Jeillo Edwards Writers Jesse Lasky, jr Pat Silver Story Editor John Peacock Photography Frank Watts, B.S.C. Art Director Carolyn Scott Music Francis Shaw Costumes Laura Nightingale Editor Bob Dearberg Director Alan Cooke
GERMAN: Mord auf Leinwand
When artist Luke Lorenz dies his widow benefits from exorbitant prices paid for his last paintings.
Paint Me A Murder handelt vom tragischen Schicksal eines geschäfttüchtigen Pärchens, gut gespielt und kompetent gemacht, wenn auch vielleicht einen Tick zu vorhersehbar.
Richardson/Pixley: "[A] rather good thriller (...) This segment is notable since it uses a different theme tune to open and close the film from the other twelve episodes. As opposed to the rather ponderous, heavy and nondescript full orchestral theme, this story delivers the goods packaged with a far catchier and twangy harpsichord piece played to a tango rhythm. (...) Shooting was executed (...) down on the heights of the white cliffs at Dover for the climactic final scenes."
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)
(1.10) The Corvini Inheritance tx 18.04.86 starring David McCallum Jan Francis Terence Alexander Stephen Yardley Leonard Trolley Benedict Blythe Writer David Fisher Story Editor John Peacock Photography Frank Watts, B.S.C. Art Director Carolyn Scott Music David Bedford Editor Peter Weatherley, G.B.F.E. Director Gabrielle Beaumont
GERMAN: Das Erbe der Corvini
Security expert Frank takes on a double responsibility: to make sure the precious Corvini jewelry remain safe, and to catch the masked villain who stalks women in the neighbourhood.
Richardson/Pixley: "Unfortunately, [McCallum's presence] was no guarantee of quality and the final version seemed garbled and disjointed in the extreme, the two storylines tying together very weakly (...) Here, a fantasy element such as an alter-ego could have saved a promising story. [A] rather routine thriller (...).
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)
Again, I cannot agree. Little bits already make this a triumph, like the carefully portioned food in Lane's fridge. This script is a killer, full of powerful scenes. Lane is a truly fascinating character, simultaneously competent, obsessed and vulnerable. McCallum's underdog is the best performance of the entire series. The link between the storylines is not obvious but quite sophisticated. The fact that TV screens are an important part of the level of fiction adds a meta-dimension to the story.
(1.11) And the Wall Came Tumbling Down tx 25.04.86 starring Barbi Benton Peter Wyngarde Gareth Hunt Carol Royle Gary Waldhorn Ralph Michael Writers Dennis Spooner John Peacock Story Editor John Peacock Photography Frank Watts, B.S.C. Music Anthony Payne Art Director (tbv) Heather Armitage Editor Bob Dearberg, G.B.F.E. Director Paul Annett
GERMAN: Die Satansvision
The church of St. Peter's is the clue to a dark and deadly secret of the past.
Richardson/Pixley: "(...) [T]he only example of the two storylines submitted by Dennis Spooner that made it to the screen, and even then, John Peacock, Houghton's assistant, (...) heavily rewrote it. (...) Barbie [sic] Benton [was] a 'Playmate of the Month,' with whose acting the production team were not terribly impressed. Despite this, the episode featured some fine performances and was one of the best received of the season, retaining a heavy supernatural atmosphere to it (...)."
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)
(1.12) Child's Play tx 02.05.86 starring Mary Crosby Nicholas Clay Debbie Chasen Writer Graham Wassell Story Editor John Peacock Photography Frank Watts, B.S.C. Art Director Heather Armitage Music David Bedford Editor Peter Weatherley Director Val Guest
GERMAN: Ein Kinderspiel
A family discover they have been walled in overnight.
Richardson/Pixley: "Val Guest's direction is clever, but wasted on this disappointingly old concept. (...) The atmosphere of the piece was however aided by the suitable location that the team found for their fifteen-day shoot."
(http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm)
Actually one of my favourite episodes. When Crosby cries hysterically because her daughter can't be located this authentic (well-acted) helplessness comes across as pure horror. The ending may be criticized for sloppy execution – certainly today's advanced technology would have helped here.
(1.13) Tennis Court tx 09.05.86 starring Peter Graves Hannah Gordon Jonathan Newth Ralph Arliss Isla Blair Writer Andrew Sinclair [Short] Story Michael Hastings Story Editor John Peacock Photography Frank Watts, B.S.C. Art Director Heather Armitage Costumes Laura Nightingale Music Anthony Payne Editor Peter Weatherley, G.B.F.E. Director Cyril Frankel
GERMAN: Unheimliche Revanche
Maggie inherits a house with a battered tennis court that has a life of its own.
Another good past and present story, like A Distant Scream.
According to Richardson/Pixley Val Guest was supposed to direct. The highly talented Frankel said in a Timescreen interview conducted by R/P with Vanessa M. Bergman:
"Hammer offered me the project some years previously when it had been envisaged as a feature film, but for some reason it didn't get made. Then it was agreed to do it as a part of the series which involved casting Hannah Gordon. We had Peter Graves over from America, he was a lovely man to work with, and I was aided and abetted by my pal [assistant director] Ken Baker again. We used two large house locations not far from Elstree studios. It was extremely tricky to shoot as it had some intricate special effects, but I enjoyed doing it. Then when Thames showed it they buggered it up by putting the second reel on first and nobody could understand the story, though it was repeated correctly later. I might add that I had rung them up and said don't do the same thing again!"

In order to find out more about Hammer House of Horror / Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense please try the following links:

http://timescreen.virtualave.net/horrorb.htm
(This is Timescreen Issue 16. Be careful - the articles, though very comprehensive, are full of spoilers!!)

http://homepages.tesco.net/~dr.phibes/hhmain.htm

Sources:

Marcus Hearn/Alan Barnes: The Hammer Story
Duane Hitchings: The Complete History of Hammer Films
Eyles/Adkinson/Fry: Hammer Films – The House of Horror
Howard Maxford: Hammer, House of Horror

Video/DVD:

The complete Hammer House of Horror series is available on video and DVD from Carlton.

BBC Documentary: Hammer: The Studio That Dripped Blood

This is an unofficial and non-commercial website. The rights to Hammer House of Horror/Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense are held by Carlton Television. The sole purpose of this page is to promote the abovementioned series - no copyright infringement is intended. However, should the copyright holders be unhappy with my use of screenshots the material in question will be removed immediately.

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