Customer Reviews

Hammer, House of Horror: Behind the Screams

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Mr. Maxford takes the reader through Hammer's history, from their beginnings as Exclusive to their 80's TV work. Contrary to the title, there is very little behind the scenes information. The book is mainly useful as a reference, offering plot details, cast and crew lists, and release information.

If you're looking for praise for Hammer's work, though, you need to look somewhere else. The author is complimentary to about four of Hammer's pictures, and trashes the rest. I have to wonder why he wrote this book; he doesn't seem to be much of a fan.

Although, if you can take his criticisms with a grain of salt, this book is a valuable "encyclopedia."

A chronological listing of Hammer films--from the 1950s to the 1980s. He tells you who starred in what, the plot, why the film was made and how with a few interesting stories here and there. Also the selection of pics, some in color, are excellent. However author Howard Maxford comes down VERY hard on the Hammer films. He only picks out maybe two or three films that he considers classics and the rest are (in his estimation) junk. He's WAY too hard and judgmental on the films. That aside, this is well-written, quick and easy to read. But his trashing of most of thr Hammer output gets annoying real quick. I ended up wondering why he wrote a book on films he clearly seems to hate.