Hammer Films: An Exhaustive Filmography [Library Binding]

Tom Johnson and Deborah Del Vecchio (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 078640034X | ISBN-13: 978-0786400348 | Publication Date: December 1, 1995

Though best known for its horror films, Hammer produced a wide variety of movies in many genres. The British studio was famous for its exciting stories and expert action-all on very small budgets and short shooting schedules. From The Public Life of Henry the Ninth (1935) to The Lady Vanishes (1978), this is the definitive work on Hammer s 165 films. Complete filmographic data are provided for each film, including release dates in both the United Kingdom and the United States, running time, length, distributor, complete cast and production credits, and alternate titles. These data are followed by an extensive plot synopsis, including contemporary critical commentary and behind-the-scenes information from many of the players and crew members.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Exactly what it promises to be.... An impressive job --Classic Images

An encyclopedic wealth of information...an important research tool --Journal of Popular Culture

Excellent --Psychotronic

About the Author

Tom Johnson, author of Censored Screams (1997), is a teacher in Shillington, Pennsylvania. Deborah Del Vecchio is a freelance writer in New Jersey. They are also the authors of Peter Cushing (1992).

Product Details

• Library Binding: 422 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company (December 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078640034X
• ISBN-13: 978-0786400348
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,193,452 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEST BOOK EVER ON HAMMER FILMS!!!, May 2, 2003

By 

SwellBooks (Park Ridge, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hammer Films: An Exhaustive Filmography (Library Binding)

This is, without a doubt, the BEST book ever written on the legendary British film studio best known for their Gothic horror films of the 60's and 70's that starred Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. It is indeed an "exhaustive" scholarly reference book on EVERY film the studio made, not just their horror/ fantasy pics. The authors go year-by-year, and give detailed info about the films, listing complete cast and credits, story synopsis, facts about the making of the movies, reviews and more. Illustrated with many fine b&w stills, this is THE volume to have for any Hammer fan interested in this fine studio and its very impressive output. Many of their films are not just horror classics but FILM CLASSICS as well (i.e., "HORROR OF DRACULA", "QUATERMASS AND THE PIT" and "THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES"). The only negative for me was the fact that the authors see fit, every chance they get, to deify Peter Cushing and harshly criticize Christopher Lee. This appears to be something going on widely amongst Hammer fans and writers, ever since Mr. Cushing died. Cushing's role in the studios success is over-valued and Lee is under-valued. Many people point to the fact that Cushing is billed first in "CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN", "HORROR OF DRACULA" and "THE MUMMY" ahead of Lee to lend weight to their arguement that Cushing made those films the success' they were. The fact is, Cushing was a popular actor at the time in England (gaining fame for a version of "1984" he did on the telly [TV]), and Lee was a struggling, unknown. And many say Lee had only 8 minutes of screen time in the Dracula picture and in "CURSE OF FRANK" didn't even appear until the movie was half over and in "THE MUMMY" he had no dialogue (except the Egyptian mumbo-jumbo in the flashback scenes). Well, as for having little screen time in "HORROR OF DRACULA", what does it matter? He makes a heck of an impression with his limited screen time. After watching the film, the scenes with Dracula really stick in your mind. They are what you remember. And, in fact, someone once said, "There are no small parts, only small actors." Indeed. And I think the creature is an important character in the Frankenstein picture and the mummy is kind of important in a mummy film, don't ya think? In truth, the early Hammer Gothics would not have been the hits they were without Peter Cushing AND Christopher Lee. Those two stars, TOGETHER, made those films and made Hammer a success. End of editorial. All in all, a great book. Buy it and enjoy! - George Bauch.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Exhaustive indeed, March 16, 2006

By 

S. L. Nattrass "Lee Nattrass" (Centennial Park, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hammer Films: An Exhaustive Filmography (Library Binding)

As the title says, this is a complete listing of every Hammer Film ever made, including those made under their earlier company names, in chronological order with exhaustive credit and cast listings, detailed synopsis, critique and some historical information for each film. Don't expect a large glossy volume replete with colour stills. Although the text makes an entertaining enough read, the book comes in a plain black cover and the many stills are all in black and white on flat paper stock. This makes it a fairly pricey item at $60 but it probably had a small print run and would be most suited as a reference book for libraries but for Hammer completists or even film fanatics in general it is a must. Highlights are the many original posters that are littered throughout; it is just a pity they are not in colour.