Sadly, I’m willing to bet there’s a whole generation of horror fans completely oblivious to the halcyon days of Hammer Films. Crude, cheap, gory, schlocky, boob-filled, campy…Hammer had it all, and at their peak, always delivered some entertaining shite. So it comes with great pleasure to report that six killer, all but forgotten Hammer classics are set to be deflowered on DVD come April 6th. Not only that, you can participate in a contest to choose which box art will be used!
Packaged in a 3-disc set as The Icons of Suspense Collection Presents Hammer Films, the six films range from 1958-1963, with murders, molesters, freaks, psychopaths…you name it, they all take center stage.
In addition, Beginning January 15th fans have the rare opportunity to vote on the final box art from a selection of three different versions for The Icons of Suspense Collection Presents Hammer Films. The contest runs on Columbia-Classics.com from 1/15/10 to 1/26/10.
So dig the 6 flicks in question:
THE DAMNED (1963) – Legal and illegal criminality. An American tourist with a boat is robbed by a gang of teenager boys, assisted by the leader’s sister. But soon afterward she jumps to the victim’s boat to escape her brother’s incestuous jealousy. The couple fly together and is hunted by the entire gang. Both happen to enter high-classified military territory. There might be a third and atomic world war, after which no ordinary man could survive. But now and then children are born who are “naturally” radio-active and have cold blood. They might survive in the post-war world and carry on mankind. They are fetched and brought to an underground construction where they are educated by TV. They are told that they are on a space ship moving toward the earth, which they should eventually colonize. This military project seems to be a failure because of a high mortality among the children. – The military soon finds the gang. The couple finds the children and tries to help them to escape. This situation will develop into psychological and other horror.
CASH ON DEMAND (1961) – A ruthless crook abducts the wife and child of a bank manager and then masquerades as an insurance company detective while scheming to rob the institution in this crime drama. Unfortunately, some of the manager’s employees learn about the plot and the terrified manager must beg them to remain silent. Fortunately, the cops have been on the case all along.
THE SNORKEL (1958) – About a young girl who can’t convince anyone her stepfather is a murderer.
MANIAC (1963) – A man being lost in love with the owner of a lodging house would do anything to satisfy her wishes. In order to proof his love for her she makes him free a dangerous maniac from the psychatric hospital.
STOP ME BEFORE I KILL! (1960) – Also known as THE FULL TREATMENT, a startling psychodrama from renowned director Val Guest.
NEVER TAKE CANDY FROM A STRANGER (1960) – A serious, and still horrifyingly timely, chiller about a small town terrorized by an elderly child molester.
DVD Special Features Include:
• Digitally Remastered Audio and Video
• Full Screen Presentation
• Original Theatrical Trailers
SPR for the 3-disc package runs a moderate $24.96. Roughly $4 a film is not to be beat!
Click HERE to vote for your favorite box-art layout!
I believe the CB Spencer (above) flick THE DEAD MATTER is also a Hammer Films production!
The comment section exists to allow readers to discuss the article constructively and respectfully, focused on the topic at hand.
What’s Not Allowed