Comic Book of the Week: Plague of the Zombies

by Kimberly Lindbergs | October 28, 2011

Categories | Hammer Horror, Comic Books

This is another Hammer film adaptation comic from The House of Hammer (also known as Hammer’s Halls of Horror). As I mentioned in my previous post, The House of Hammer was a British film and comic magazine published between 1976 and 1978. The following pages are from issue #13 (also called issue #1 Vol. 2), which featured another great cover painted by Brian Lewis depicting a scene from John Gilling’s Plague of the Zombies (1966). The following sample pages are from the comic illustrated by the notable storyboard artist, Trevor Goring and written by Steve Moore. The back cover of the magazine featured a movie poster for Plague of the Zombie, which I’ve also included along with a promo shot featuring a very scary looking Ben Aris in his zombie makeup carrying actress Jacqueline Pearce. Plague of the Zombies is too often overshadowed by all the zombie films that followed in its distinct footsteps, which is a shame. I think it’s one of Hammer’s best films and features some of the studio’s most innovative monster makeup. Don’t watch it alone!

Comments (0)

Music of the Night

by Kimberly Lindbergs | October 24, 2011

Categories | Soundtracks, Hammer Horror

This week’s 8track musical offering is titled “Music of the Night” and includes music from some of my favorite Hammer vampire films such as The Brides of Dracula (1960), Twins of Evil (1971), Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter (1974), The Legend Of The 7 Golden Vampires (1974) and Dracula A.D. 1972 (1972). Enjoy!

Track Listing:
James Bernard - “Dracula Main Theme” (1958)
James Bernard - “The Legend Of The 7 Golden Vampires” (1974)
Malcolm Williamson - “The Brides Of Dracula” (1960)
Laurie Johnson - “Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter” (1974)
Harry Robinson - “The Vampire Lovers” (1970)
Harry Robinson - “Twins Of Evil “(1971)
Mike Vickers - “Main Theme: Dracula A.D. 1972″ (1972)
Mike Vickers - “Van Helsing Heads To The Club” (1972)

Comments (0)

Comic Book of the Week: Curse of the Werewolf

by Kimberly Lindbergs | October 22, 2011

Categories | Hammer Horror, Comic Books, Oliver Reed, Terence Fisher

The House of Hammer (also known as Hammer’s Halls of Horror) was a British film and comic magazine published between 1976 and 1978. The following pages are from issue #10, which featured a wonderful cover painted by artist Brian Lewis depicting Oliver Reed in Terence Fisher’s Curse of the Werewolf (1961). The following sample pages are from Part I. & II. of the Curse of the Werewolf comic illustrated by one of my favorite comic book artists, the talented John Bolton and written by Steve Moore. The back cover of the magazine featured a Belgian movie poster for Curse of the Werewolf, which I’ve also included along with a promo shot featuring a very handsome Oliver Reed without his monster makeup. I recommend you read these pages accompanied by the light of the full moon!

Comments (1)

Yeti Holiday Fun

by Kimberly Lindbergs | December 10, 2010

Categories | Horror, Japanese Cinema, Italian Cinema, Hammer Horror, Movie Morlocks, TCM, SHAG

Xmas card illustrated by SHAG that I sent to friends & family in 2002

One of my favorite monsters is the elusive and mysterious Yeti or Abominable Snowman and during the winter months I always start thinking about my favorite Yeti movies. I decided to compile a brief list of viewing suggestions for Movie Morlock readers this week in case anyone else is interested in exploring the fascinating and bizarre cannon of Yeti films that are currently available on DVD and video. Christmas movies often bore me to tears unless they’re made by Rankin/Bass or directed by Bob Clark so I tend to gravitate towards other entertainment in December. Do you really want to sit through White Christmas or Miracle on 34th Street again? Adding a few Yeti movies to your winter viewing calendar is a great way to mix things up a bit and postpone the winter doldrums. Invite a Yeti to your Christmas party and he’s sure to liven things up a bit!
- ‘Tis the Season… of the Yeti! @ TCM’s Classic Movie Blog

Comments (1)

From the Archive of Hammer Films

by Kimberly Lindbergs | December 2, 2010

Categories | Books, British Cinema, Hammer Horror, Movie Morlocks, TCM

I recently rediscovered some old film posters that I had in storage for over 15 years and one of them was for the Hammer film, Frankenstein Created Woman (1967). I love Hammer’s Frankenstein movies and Frankenstein Created Woman is one of my favorites. The poster was a gift given to me many years ago and I’m planning on getting it framed soon so I can hang it proudly in my new home. I thought it would be fun to share a picture of my Hammer poster that I snapped yesterday.

In an odd coincidence Titan has recently released Marcus Hearn’s latest book, The Art of Hammer: The Official Poster Collection From the Archive of Hammer Films, which I just reviewed for the Movie Morlocks. I really admire Hearn’s devotion to Hammer. The author has written three books about the “Studio That Dripped Blood” in recent years, including Hammer Glamour: Classic Images from the Hammer Archives, which I wrote about last year. His latest book is the first collection of Hammer film posters ever published and it’s a real treat for Hammer fans like myself.
- From the Archive of Hammer Films @ TCM’s Classic Movie Blog

Comments (3)

Remembering Ingrid Pitt 1937-2010

by Kimberly Lindbergs | November 23, 2010

Categories | News, Actresses, Hammer Horror, Hammer Glamour, Ingrid Pitt

Hammer Glamour girl, Ingrid Pitt has suddenly passed away at age 73 due to heart failure. Her unexpected death took me by surprise and my condolences go out to her friends and family.

One of my fondest blogging memories occurred in 2007. After writing up a brief birthday tribute for Ingrid Pitt and receiving a few comments from other fans, the actress herself stopped by my blog and left me a note (still posted there) in which she said:

“Mind-blowing! It really is wonderful to have so many people wishing me good fortune as I enter the ranks of the septuagenarians. I’m only sorry I didn’t find this site earlier so that I could thank you all.”

I was stunned and absolutely thrilled that the actress took the time to read and respond to my blog post. Her generous nature was made more apparent when we exchanged a few brief emails after she left her comment. I was rather star struck because as I mentioned in my birthday tribute to the actress, Ingrid Pitt has always been one of my favorite Hammer Glamour girls. Her bold, sassy and uninhibited nature came across in every Hammer film she was in and she never shied away from her past or made excuses for appearing in horror films. Ingrid embraced her history and celebrated it. She was proud of her roles in movies like The Vampire Lovers (1970), Countess Dracula (1971), The House That Dripped Blood (1971) and The Wicker Man (1973). And of course she should be. Her beauty, brains and sense of humor shouldn’t be underestimated. Ingrid Pitt was the real “bad girl” of Hammer studio and and her edgy performances often dominated the movies she was in. She could be extremely seductive but unlike countless other onscreen beauties that have bared their fangs for the camera, Ingrid also knew how to generate fear.

I’m incredibly thankful that Ingrid took the time to contact me because it gave me the opportunity to tell her how much I admired her and appreciated her work. She was a very special lady and she’ll be sincerely missed.

Recommended Links:
- BBC News Obituary: Hammer horror actress Ingrid Pitt dies aged 73
- Pitt of Horror (Ingrid Pitt’s Official Site)
- Ingrid Pitt’s Film Column @ Den of Geek
- Hammer Films (Official Site)

Comments (8)

“Nothing can eat your soul!”

by Kimberly Lindbergs | October 7, 2010

Categories | Movie Reviews, News, Actresses, Hammer Horror, TCM, Bewitching Movies

Over at the Movie Morlocks we’re celebrating TCM’s decision to showcase Hammer horror films every Friday night during the month of October with a blogathon. All week long my colleges have been writing about some of their favorite Hammer movies and today I shared some thoughts about the occult thriller The Witches (1966), which features the accomplished award winning actress Joan Fontaine in her last film role. The Witches inspired many better known British horror films such as The Devil Rides Out (1968), Blood On Satan’s Claw (1971) and The Wicker Man (1973) but it’s not as well-known as the films that it influenced. Please visit the Movie Morlocks to read my lengthy appreciation of The Witches.

As a bonus treat I’ve also compiled a Flickr Gallery of images from The Witches but WARNING! tread carefully because you’ll find lots of “spoilers” in my Flickr Gallery.

On a side note; I was really disappointed to learn that one of Hammer’s best directors, the talented Roy Ward Baker, recently died. Baker directed many of my favorite Hammer films including Dr Jekyll & Sister Hyde (’71), The Vampire Lovers (’70) and The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires (’74) as well as the excellent Marilyn Monroe feature, Don’t Bother To Knock (’52) and two great Amicus productions; Asylum (1972) and The Vault of Horror (1973) as well as many other movies and television series including The Avengers and The Saint.

Comments (3)

Happy Birthday Shane Briant!

by Kimberly Lindbergs | August 17, 2010

Categories | Actors, British Cinema, Hammer Horror, Shane Briant

Shane Briant in Straight on Til Morning (1972)

One of my favorite Hammer horror stars, the wonderful Shane Briant, is celebrating his 64th birthday today. He recently stopped by Cinebeats and left a link to a new youtube film he made where he revisits the character of Peter Clive that he played in Peter Collinson’s horror film Straight On Til Morning (1972) and I thought today would be a great day to share it. Straight On Til Morning is one of Hammer’s best and most unusual films in my opinion and features one of Briant’s greatest performances so it was really fun to see him in the title role again some 30 years later. Maybe someone could be encouraged to film a sequel? Shane Briant would obviously be up for it!

Recommended Links:
- My interview with Shane Briant
- Soundings: The Official Shane Briant Tribute Site

Comments (2)

Save Bray Studios

by Kimberly Lindbergs | April 22, 2010

Categories | News, Hammer Horror, Oliver Reed

As a longtime Hammer horror fan I was dismayed to learn that the renowned Bray Studios in the UK is under threat. Bray Studios is one of the only working studios that has survived from the era of classic British cinema. From 1951-1966 Hammer produced all of their films there and in the ’70s the studio was rented out and used by television shows such as The Errol Flynn Theatre, Space 1999, Doctor Who and Inspector Morse. Musical artists such as The Who and Eric Clapton recorded at Bray Studios and important British films continued to be made there including the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) and parts of Ridley Scott’s Alien (1979). Most recently Terry Gilliam shot parts of The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) at Bray Studios.

Bray Studios should be gearing up to celebrate its 60th Anniversary next year but the new owners have announced that they want to destroy the current building and build housing in its place. It would be a terrible shame to lose the “House that Hammer Built” which gave birth to so many wonderful films and helped launch the careers of beloved actors such as Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Oliver Reed and Raquel Welch. For years fans have gathered at Bray for the Hammer at Bray events where people can meet and greet Hammer stars as well as tour the grounds. I’d like to attend one of these events myself someday but if Bray Studios disappears that opportunity will be lost for myself as well as others.

Thankfully Robert Simpson has taken up the cause to Save Bray Studios from destruction. If you would like to learn more about his efforts please visit the Save Bray Studios blog he has created to share news and information with others. He also created a Facebook Group to gain support for his cause and you can keep up with the latest news at Save Bray Studios on Twitter.

Please consider joining Robert Simpson’s effort to Save Bray Studios! You can lend your support by joining the Save Bray Studios Facebook Group and Robert is also accepting written contributions to his Save Bray Studios blog. Have some ideas about how Bray Studios can be saved? Have you visited or worked at Bray Studios and want to share your story with someone? Or maybe you just want to express your love for the films that were made at Bray Studios? Whatever the case may be please consider contacting Robert Simpson and letting him know that you support his cause.

Peter Cushing with Hammer film producer & writer Anthony Nelson Keys at Bray Studios

More Recommended Links:
- Bray Studios - The Dictionary of Hammer Horror
- Hammer at Bray II - Holger Haase details his experience at Bray Studios
- Hammer at Bray - Holger Haase visits Bray again

Comments (5)