Hammer Horror (Beginnings...1955-1959) Part 1

Welcome to my new video about the wonders of Hammer Horror. It's been a while but am here again and I have missed you all.
In our first part we look at Hammers humble beginnings and a review of some of the films that made the studio that dripped blood.
Enjoy a retro feast of 1950's fangs, frolics and fetid fables from a british institution.
Due to some of the content in some of the programmes and the target audience this is for adults only and not for children. Some programmes are for mature audiences due to the nature of the content and ones without 18+ restrictions are best viewed by young persons of 13 years and upwards. Some of these documentaries are not for the prudish.
In this documentary series we take a look and another look and even a third glance (hypothetically speaking) of T.V programmes and Films with a 'cult' edge.
If they aren't cult currently then they should be !!
Each programme looks at the genesis of the programme or movie and a review - some are spoiler free - some are not. Even if you know the plot though it is welcoming to look at the series or movie again.
So what is it I hope for in my series ? Well it is my intention to share with you dear viewer my knowledge of things which I enjoy very much and I hope what is reviewed will inspire you to go and have a look for the programme or movie. Some you may have seen before - others may be truly novel.
That is it pure and simple - I don't want any financial rewards as I will be using snippets already copyrighted and this is damned cheeky - the knowing of sharing my knowledge with you is reward enough.
Don't forget to support the originators of copyright - so wonderful retro T.V and movies get to see the light of day.
I hope this acts as an inspiration for you to look...look and look again with me.
Every episode is a labour of love and it's only me that cobbles together that produces the work.
I hope you can also see the transformation as the series goes along.
Any constructive comments, criticisms and memories you have would be most welcome and if you love what I do hit like and subscribe.
Thank you to all the regular people that bite off this nugget of nostalgia and follow my little show.
Maybe you could suggest things for me to look...look and look again - please share them.
No infringement is intended - I am a novice to this and sometimes oblivious to the complex world of copyright but all clips and music are used in the faith of enhancing this review. On occasion one picture can be worth a 1000 words and can give you a feel of the show or movie reviewed.
Enjoy all the delights therein - Crab xx

[@lcwatts2971]

This documentary series is AWESOME and soooo well done, kudos!

[@screen_spirit740]

Thanks for this. I remember as a child, Saturdays nights in the mid seventies when bbc2 would put on a double bill of an old Universal Horror followed by a lurid colour Hammer Horror. I loved it.

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

Hi Screen Spirit - me too - thats how I first got into horror really. BBC 2 and BBC 1 double bills and Channel 4 , when it first started, showed a fair few pre-code movies WITHOUT a stupid warning before it :) . Glad to hear from you ! Take care , Crab

[@bestofboastworlds1883]

What an awesome video, what an awesome channel. 👌 Would you ever consider an Amicus retrospective?

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

Thank you very, very much. Well I am embarking on a giallo odyssey currently however that may be something for a new season as you are the second person to request this and it does fit in with the channels ambience for sure. Thanks for the recommendation and stay tuned. Best 🦀

[@elnick1000]

HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES is a favorite of mine. I saw it first I believe when I was in my early teens, or possible 12, as I saw it in color when my family got our first color TV in 1969 when I was 12. I still like this film imensely, and have recently noticed o felt that the film does comment on class. Dr. Mortimer is shown for example to be a real snob, who looks down on those he considers lower class. I like it much more than the 1939 film.

[@mrjives9045]

Great stuff Crab, look forward to further Hammer eps.

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

Thanks Mr J. Its been a while but so busy this end. Expect further Hammer Horrors. Got 1960 - 1976 to cover so there will be a fair few for us to indulge in and cool the blood in the summer months. Best 🦀

[@leebritnell2405]

Rewatching these.Constantly impressed by your meticulous research and high standard of presentation.

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

@@leebritnell2405 thank you. Thats a lovely thing to say. Am pleased you're enjoying them second time around. Best always 🦀

[@francofloridia5388]

Simply superb Crab Apple. One of the most interesting and informative Hammer retrospective documentaries I have ever had the pleasure to watch. I cannot wait until part 2. Thank you.

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

That is so kind. I thought to review Hammer may be a bit on the ambitious side and because its so cherished. I toiled with the idea of reviewing each film but there has been so much written about it so opted for a more condensed over view and this is smashing feedback and hope other subscribers feel the same way. Thats also why I have been so quiet as there was a wealth of information - so breaking this down and making it more punchier was a huge task but the end result isnt too bad. Am currently working on 1960-1965 so watch this space and once more thank you . Best 🦀

[@lcwatts2971]

Have these "Quartermann" clips and stills been colorized for this documentary or is there an actual colorized version?? ...looks great!

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

@@lcwatts2971 Hi, these are colourised for the documentary. I spent ages doing them. Thank you very much. Best 🦀

[@jamesreid8840]

Top stuff again Sir 👏👏👏 loads of info very interesting and unreal that British’s made films and we can’t get blu ray here in Blighty 😢 Have to disagree with quatermass it’s the pit which does it for me it has horror, sci fi and elements of the occult Keep up the good work 👍

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

Thank you. Have just done and uploaded part 2. Thanks for encouragement the doubting thomas in me thinks have bitten off more than can chew but I must be doing something right.

[@jamesreid8840]

@@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN carry on mate your a ⭐️ love it mate

[@halwasserman7905]

I will never understand how in the majority of these films the bad guy loses. I can't believe I am the only person who was rooting for the vampires. So what that Dracula wanted to turn a bunch of ladies into vampires? They seemed cool with it. It was the guys who had a problem with it. So in every movie the count is done in and in every sequel they had to figure out some way of bringing him back. It would have been so much easier if Dracula won and the so called heroes said, "Oh well, we'll get him next time..."

[@leebritnell2405]

My sister was always sad when Dracula died.

[@pauljacques2133]

My writing is like my brain and all over the place Crab so please excuse the random nature of this missive. Grew up as a kid going to catholic school in a big Gothic church/school in West London so my imagination was always fired up thanks to Hammer films and floating nuns at school. I think Thames "Appointment with fear" was my original introduction to Hammer films and the now legendary doublebill on BBC 2 Saturday nights. Would love you to do individual reviews of the Hammer films as you bring a humour and observation that is unique to your channel and which show great love to your subject matter. I'm always returning to that alternative universe and wonder who would of starred in Hammer's adaptation of Richard Matheson's "I am legend" had they been allowed to pursue the project and what would of been waiting for Horst Janson throughout the ages if Brian Clemens had Continued the Captain Kronos adventures? My compliments to you sir and congratulations on another great episode. Cant wait fo you to touch on "The devil rides out".

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

Thanks for sharing such wonderful memories and the compliments. The double bills were amazing. When channel 4 first started they used to show a lot of pre hays code stuff. This was some of my earliest memories - one of which is reflected in my forthcoming review of Brides of Dracula. That windmill scene - wow !! Best crack on with it all. Have a wonderful weekend. Look forward to hearing from you soon. No worries about your head being all over the shop - mine is too and most of the time 😀. Best Crab 🦀

[@garybryant1501]

These early films are gold nuggets and will never be diminished in their artistic value and with the Crap of so called movie making today will only grow in stature

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

Totally agree 👍. Music too - why do you think we have a number 1 from 1985 - which , like Stranger Things, is awesome by the way. The media has , politely put - had it. BUT there is always the past - thank goodness. 😊

[@garybryant1501]

@@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN and 80 year old Paul McCartney is still rocking with a large audience 😁

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

@@garybryant1501 Revelation of the Dale's finished - absolutely awesome. What a Season ! Loved it. Never realised how gritty it was - THIS is what Who should be and of course Tom Bakers first 3 and Pertwees season 7. I am gutted now it was cancelled. If they kept it up Nightmare Fair et Al would have also been great.

[@garybryant1501]

@@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN I'm gutted that we didn't see The Autons in Singapore storyline get made

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

@@garybryant1501 Me too. Nor the return of celestial toymaker (Michael gough) nor the pairing of sil and the ice warriors. The audios are cool though. Just finished The Ultimate Evil and that was alright- not as bad as reported a bit like Timelash. It would have been a decent season I am thinking.

[@johnwalko1483]

These Hammer Films Documentaries are done very well, are they available on DVD or Blu-Ray?

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

Thank you for that lovely comment. Unfortunately they aren't but I think, if I am not mistaken, you can download them if you sign into you tube. That means a lot , I would love them to be a feature and reach a wider audience so others can be aware of the joys of hammer. 🦀

[@nickmitsialis]

33:24, good gravy, Valerie Gaunt?! I didn't know she was in the movie--I only knew her from her rather 'predatory' role in that first Dracula movie Cushing and Lee did. (edit): Gaunt kind of reminds me of Alanis Morrissett.

[@ajclements4627]

New subscriber here, I’m a fairly new fan of Hammer, are there any books you could recommend for someone interested in more about Hammer films? I’m looking forward to watching this entire documentary, very well done!

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

Hi, thanks for getting in touch , recommended reading is Denis Meikle's Hammer Story Of... book its beautifully illustrated too. I hope you will enjoy my little odyssey and glad to have you on board as a subscriber. There's mounds of stuff on here for you to savour. Very best 🦀

[@leebritnell2405]

Avoid A Thing Of Unspeakable Horror,by Sinclair Mckay.He claims to be a fan but is snarky,condescending and patronising throughout.Most of his 'interviews ' are second-hand,too.

[@veritanuda]

Very nice round up and fleshes out a lot about Hammer I did not know. I have quite a few of these and have to say they take me back to more narrartive era of filmmaking where it was all about imagination. I wonder are you planning on also covering the Hammer forey into TV series? I have them too, and some are surprisingly good for a time when audience were starting to become more 'sophisticated' and mainstream with Tale of the Unexpected or Rumpole of the Bailey. Thanks for doing all the legwork and sharing it. I for one appreciate it.

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

You are very welcome. Hoping to get 1967-1969 out for halloween. I am contemplating hammer house of horror and journey to the unknown - so watch this space. 1970's next - cant believe covered 2 decades. Rewatching some of these have proven what a treat they were and a decent yardstick at how morals and censorship change. Enjoy . Crab 🦀

[@lednebnoj]

I live my life by what hammer film or what jazz lp I'm going to watch/listen to next... I'm so boring

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

@lednebnoj Thats not boring at all. Why not !! You can never beat the greats whether audio or visual - they are comfort foods for the soul. You carry on, maybe branch out to other British horror movies there's plenty out there.

[@andrewnash5933]

Have loved these films all my life, but it has always amazed me that a mummy that has been buried for 3000 years is revived by an ancient scroll that is read in modern English.

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

Hahaha. Well thats the joyful way of 1960's cinema. 🦀🍎

[@danellett9274]

i loved Hammer.

[@nononame113]

Great job!

[@Chele212]

Brilliant 🖤

[@davidfrost779]

Britain virtually invented horror, Frankenstein, Dracula, Dr. Jekyll and Mister Hyde were all written by British authors

[@lallancashire2201]

Great stuff 👍

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

Thank you.

[@nickmitsialis]

I know it ain't Hammer or exploitative (much) but have you ever done anything in review of one of my favorite whacked out occult horror movies, 'Curse (or Night) of the Demon'?

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

Not yet - however any requests will be taken on board for sure and looked into - this is the sort of stuff that would definitely fit in with the channels 'feel'. Night of the Demon is awesome - the ITV 1970's adaptation of casting if the runes isn't half bad either. Crab :)

[@nickmitsialis]

@@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN OK, I'm glad I didn't miss it! I'll keep my eyes open for it.

[@elnick1000]

Irt is too bad that not mentioned in the documentary of the use of American actors. In most cases, this was forced upon the creators of the fims in order to get distribution in the USA. However, I think that the creators used the American actors as a kind of comment regarding Britain at that time. Especilally in QATERMAS II, The USA is sort of used as a negative tool by the creators, except in X THE UNKNOWN, with of course Dean Jaeggar, I believe a Canadian, but from Hollywood.

[@Azzeyman25]

Horror of Dracula is a classic but I think Brides of Dracula is better. both are top five.

[@princesshassim6009]

Just a quickie. I'm now getting ready to come home to England in September. Don't know where i'm gonna live (London again probably)....and there are aspects like Universal Credit i'm not looking forward to, BUT as we used to say onwards and upwards. I shall however do my best as always to keep in touch and up to date with your work darling. Whatever happens, don't let go now. You are an archivist & fan of the highest calibre in my book and someone must be here to keep the spirits alive. Take Care. XX

[@princesshassim6009]

Long time no see friend (XX)....nice to see you back. Good video. Great comment that 'Hammer was one of the happiest studios i've ever worked in'.....myself dear i could think of something ELSE to call it, lol. Yes i think i've said it before but in 'QUATERMASS XPERIMENT' i felt Richard Wordsworth as Carroon acted everyone else off the screen. He popped up again in 1961's 'CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF' and although i myself know NOT A JOT about him hon (which makes a change) i did come away feeling he was obviously one of the great un-sung heroes of the UK's acting fraternity. In many ways, Nigel Kneale was to me what Stephen King (another fine author) was to many others - and that's something wonderful, darlings. There are so many sheer concepts (ALONE) in 'QUATERMASS XPERIMENT' that looking back to the time it was made, you wonder where he got them all from. Gifted insight may just about cover it. Here's one for you - concerning the boss's girlfriend who acted in the film - Linda Harrison who played NOVA in the Hollywood Planet of The Apes movies was a similar scene, being FOX boss, Richard Zanuck's fiance and later his WIFE. Just a titbit there, lol. Personally, i felt both 'X THE UNKNOWN' & 'QUATERMASS 2' to be EXCELLANT follow-up's to the 'XPERIMENT' movie, and it's fun that we are in agreement about that. 'Jim The Nasty' was indeed a man of many talents - check out a great UK thriller from 1960 with a script by Jim, called 'THE SIEGE OF SIDNEY STREET'. I'm not over-keen on the film of 'QUATERMASS & THE PIT' sorry, it's too diluted for me. Good words about Brit Classics in America hon, far too many of our better films from the past are ONLY available here and that's got to stop. Meanwhile, on the subject of PRIMARK SALES, the last time i was there dear we got the whole bloody lot, Acennine Lunatics, Bug-eyed Snowmen the lot....and i hear it's now spreading to Tesco's too! No as far as Frankenstein was concerned i thought they did a good job, and it certainly was a good move for all concerned but it never really moved ME. Cushing dominated though. Just wish we could've seen more of Hazel Court. Sadly, Frankenstein like 'DOOMWATCH' did have a sad truth running through it...too many scientists in the world ARE a law unto themselves and obey no one elses' rules but their own (the CRISPR process has passed it's first acid tests this week hon). For COMPARISONS sweetie, i'd be leery myself, since you know yourself that the Universal originals had a different focus (just sayin). Did you know that ALL the classics from the late 50's were STILL showing well into 1965 ( i had a relative who showed them back then.). Thanks loads for news of the DVD wi MISSING FOOTAGE, i shall try and track that down. Do you know ALSO, that in America, 'HORROR OF DRACULA' actually made the girls piss in their pants...(it's true). Of actor Oscar Quitak, he was very underrated. If you see him, he'll probably stand out a bit. This COMMENT has been a bit long i know, but i've been thinking for over 2 weeks now WHAT TO SAY to your latest extravaganza darling...and i came to the conclusion that as usual you were only worth nothing LESS than the BEST. Hope it's helped. PS - you sound tired hon, you should rest up when you can. XX

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

Hi Princess so good to hear from you xx. I have had so much going on life wise its been unbelievable. I have been in an intense job which is good but so demanding time wise however its evening itself out now I am pleased to say. Thanks for filling in more blanks concerning Hammer. I feel something so important to me growing up just needed to be serenaded by look...look and look again and shared with others. I toyed with individual reviews but settled on amalgamation. Alas i cant do them all but hope the ones I do cover gives insight into a British Heritage of Cinematic Horror. I hope everything works out for you coming 'home' to move from one area to another is stressful enough leave alone from country to country. Try and keep a level head and soldier on. You will bring a bit of spirit to the U.K I am sure - its much needed as most are getting over the 18 months of uncertainty but I am hoping it will be optimistic and some sense of normality restored in whatever way ot manifests itself. So much change. Let me know how you get on. Thanks for your comments for not giving up. I really thought of calling it a day but as subscribers are increasing and viewers are happy with what I do then thats incentive enough to reward them with some visual bounty and the odd wry comment and as you say such gems need archiving and for some I am the person to do it. Dipping out of TV and focussing on horror films as thats an area I have wavered on , slightly. Take care. All the best Princess and before anyone else beats me to it welcome to the U.K my good friend. Crab 🦀 xx

[@princesshassim6009]

@@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN You're very welcome hon. Hope your job works out. As for the archivist bit, i'd make videos of my own but i can't get my head around the programs lol...so i'll just continue making CD's DVD's and doing artwork and reviews when i can. Sad tho....i'd like to make my own vids. PS - you've also done me personally a lot of good - you've educated me about things like Jonathan that i never knew anything about lol, and filled in blanks for me about things i do. And if it had not been for you i would never have got off my butt to buy Doomwatch & Timeslip and so gain thanks a bunch. You know there is a politically-correct movement out there who want to CANCEL HISTORY BEFORE 1990 (That's when the PC people came in if you don't know).....so you see your work on this stuff (and mine and peeps like us) does have value. I'm just sayin...don't mind me....i'm an old pop fan who never grew up and can remember when all this was 'the latest'.....WE'RE GROWIN OLDER BABY....EVEN A YOUNG WITH-IT THING LIKE ME IS NOW 55. Never mind lol. Anyway, go well darling and here's to the next one. Kisses and Hugs XXXX