by Kylie Fox

Created on: October 11, 2008

Hammer Films is a name that has become synonymous with gory, gothic horror featuring scantily-clad women, which is still popular with the genre today.

Martin Scorsese echoed the sentiments of a generation of movie-goers when he said:

"In my early teens, I went with groups of friends to go see

certain films.. If we saw the logo of Hammer Films we

knew it was going to be a very special picturea surprising

experience, usually - and shocking"

Although Hammer Films wasn't to become a household name until 1957 with the release of "The Curse of Frankenstein", the company had, in fact, been operating since 1934 creating a series of B Grade films.

Enrique Carreras was the successful owner of a chain of picture theatres and, the founder of "Exclusive Films" which was to serve as a distribution company for films in England.

William Hinds was one half of the vaudeville comedy act, "Hammer and Smith" who, In the early 1930's, were making the rounds of the English comedy circuit.

In 1932, Carreras and Hinds met and formed a partnership, securing the rights to distribute several British Lions films.

The pair decided that in order to ensure a more lucrative business for Exclusive Films, a separate company would be formed to produce films for Exclusive to distribute. Thus, in November 1934, "Hammer Films" was born.

Their first film "The Public Life of Henry the 9th" went into production almost immediately. Following its release in 1935, Hammer were to produce four more films in quick succession:

*The Mystery of the Mary Celeste (The Phantom Ship in the US) in 1936

*The Song of Freedom in 1936

*The Bank Messenger Mystery in 1936

*Sporting Love in 1937.

In 1939, Enrique's son, James, and William's son, Anthony, joined the company, providing a family oriented environment which would continue throughout.

World War II was to put a halt to movie production for several years with both Hinds and Carreras deployed to fight.

The team resurrected Hammer Films in 1946, setting to work on movies like "Death in High Heels", "The Dark Road", "Crime Reporter" and, "Dick Barton - Special Agent".

The films would not enjoy the enormous success that Hammer would have in future years but it certainly provided a comfortable existence for Hinds and Carreras.

It became apparent that a great deal of money could be saved in production by making use of country houses for shoots, rather than conventional studios, like in Hollywood. This was to become a trademark feature of future Hammer films.

Oakley Court was to be the first

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