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HORROR 101: THE A-LIST OF HORROR FILMS AND MONSTER MOVIES  VOL 1

"In my early teens, I went with groups of friends to go and see certain films.  If we saw the logo of Hammer films
we knew it was going to be a very special picture . . . a surprising experience, usually - and shocking . . ."
                                                - - Martin Scorsese

   These photos were taken at two different Fanex Conventions, the two times that they had a Hammer Horror theme.  They were two of the best shows that I've been two.  Then again, anytime you have that many guest from the Hammer films, how could it be bad?

VAL GUEST

    Mr. Guest directed many early films for Hammer Studios.  In 1955, he directed a film for Hammer that started their rise to glory.   That film was THE QUATERMASS EXPERIMENT.
    He went on to direct several other Hammers, such as QUATERMASS 2 (1957), THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN (1957), CAMP ON BLOOD ISLAND (1958), WHEN DINOSAURS RULED THE EARTH (1970), as well as other comedies and dramas.
    He also directed several films for other studios, such as EXPRESSO BONGO, THE DAY THE EARTH CAUGHT FIRE, JIGSAW, CASINO ROYALE.

VERONICA CARLSON

    While she was only in three Hammer films, she made quite an impact.  She played the opposite of two of the horror genres most dangerous creatures:  Dracula and Doctor Frankenstein.  In 1968, she played Maria, the young girl who Dracula was after in DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE.  Then in 1969, along with Simon Ward, they found out just how evil Dr. Frankenstein really was in FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED.  In 1970, she played against a different Dr. Frankenstein, played by Ralph Bates, in HORROR OF FRANKENSTEIN.

FREDDIE FRANCIS

   Best known as one of the best cinematographer around, when Francis turned to directing, he made quite a few films in the horror genre, several for Hammer Studios.  Such as PARANOIAC (1963), NIGHTMARE (1964), THE EVIL OF FRANKENSTEIN (1964), HYSTERIA (1964), and DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE (1968).
    Some of his other  films that he directed in the horror genre are DR. TERROR'S HOUSE OF HORRORS, THE SKULL, TROG, THE GHOUL, LEGEND OF THE WEREWOLF, & CRAZE, THE DOCTOR AND THE DEVILS.

INGRID PITT

    While she only made two films for Hammer Studios, they made quite an impact in the horror genre.  The first and probably the most famous was the role of Carmilla in VAMPIRE LOVERS (1970).
    Being the first real vampire movie with not only a lot of nudity, but lesbianism as well, it got quite a bit of attention from the fans.  But even without those two assets, the film could stand on it's own, due to the story and the acting.  That same year, she was in COUNTESS DRACULA, a somewhat inspired story of the famous blood countess, Elizabeth Bathory.

JIMMY SANGSTER

   This man need no introduction to Hammer fans.  His credits include as writer: X-THE UNKNOWN (1956), THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1957), HORROR OF DRACULA (1958), THE REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1958), THE MUMMY (1959), THE MAN WHO COULD CHEAT DEATH (1959), TASTE OF FEAR (1961), MANIAC (1963), PARONIAC (1963), HYSTERIA (1965), THE NANNY (1965), DRACULA-PRINCE OF DARKNESS (1966), THE ANNIVERSARY (1968), and CRESENDO (1969)
    He also wrote and directed three other pictures for Hammer.   They were HORROR OF FRANKENSTEIN, LUST FOR A VAMPIRE (Both in 1970), and FEAR IN THE NIGHT (1972).

CAROLINE MUNRO

    Another actress who only played in two Hammer films, but is also known for quite a few other movie roles that she had.  For Hammer, she was in DRACULA A.D. 1972, and CAPTAIN KRONOS-VAMPIRE HUNTER (1972).  Some of her other genre films are:  DEVIL WITHIN HER (aka I DON'T WANT TO BE BORN) (1975), AT EARTH'S CORE (1976), STAR CRASH (1978), MANIAC (1980), LAST HORROR FILM (1982), and FACELESS (1989)