 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Enjoy the site, have a look at the
posters and a few photographs of
some of the Hammer people we
have been lucky enough to meet.
Dave and Sam at Bray Studios,
England.
posters and a few photographs of
some of the Hammer people we
have been lucky enough to meet.
Dave and Sam at Bray Studios,
England.
POSTERS AND HAMMER
Posters were always very important to Hammer and Sir James Carreras, in fact a lot of the time
the poster or some kind of pre-production artwork came first. With this artwork, usually done by
the likes of Tom Chantrell, Sir James would try to interest potential backers. Large numbers of
these pre-production posters were painted but that was as far as it got as a lot of them never
made it into production.
If a film did go into production then several initial poster designs would be prepared to show how
the poster would look. During production some stills would be provided and a final design would
be completed combining these reference stills and the initial poster design for a final release
poster to be prepared. A good example of this is “Taste the Blood of Dracula” below.
Posters were always very important to Hammer and Sir James Carreras, in fact a lot of the time
the poster or some kind of pre-production artwork came first. With this artwork, usually done by
the likes of Tom Chantrell, Sir James would try to interest potential backers. Large numbers of
these pre-production posters were painted but that was as far as it got as a lot of them never
made it into production.
If a film did go into production then several initial poster designs would be prepared to show how
the poster would look. During production some stills would be provided and a final design would
be completed combining these reference stills and the initial poster design for a final release
poster to be prepared. A good example of this is “Taste the Blood of Dracula” below.
Pre-production artwork by Tom Chantrell used in
trade ads. No face of Dracula on this as Dracula
wasn’t even meant to be in the story. This was
later changed but by this stage it was proving
difficult to get Christopher Lee to sign up.
trade ads. No face of Dracula on this as Dracula
wasn’t even meant to be in the story. This was
later changed but by this stage it was proving
difficult to get Christopher Lee to sign up.
Tom Chantrells initial poster design
before being provided with
reference stills from the film.
before being provided with
reference stills from the film.
Reference stills are provided
and one is chosen to be
used on the final design for
the release poster by Tom
Chantrell.
and one is chosen to be
used on the final design for
the release poster by Tom
Chantrell.
The release poster stays very close to Chantrell’s initial rough design only covering the girl up a little for the public.
Has anybody ever wondered why there are so many quad posters around for “Dracula Has
Risen From The Grave” and “One Million Years BC/ She” well here is the story. In 1968
Hammer won the Queens Award to Industry and were riding high, so it was decided to give
away posters and stills to anyone who wrote to Hammer. It’s thought that about 400 extra
posters were printed for “Dracula Has Risen From the Grave” and the same number for the
1969 reissue of “One Million Years BC/ She” double bill. If you wrote to Hammer then you
received these two posters and 3 “action stills”, actually 8x11 prints not photos, of
Christopher Lee, Raquel Welch and Ursula Andress. I don’t know how many people wrote
to Hammer but they were still using the posters a couple of years later when promoting
“Blood From the Mummys Tomb”.
Eventually hundreds of the posters, most unfolded, found their way on to the open market
and were a very common site at the fledgling movie fairs. A story I was told by a London
poster dealer illustrates this, were he remembers about 130 unfolded “Dracula Has Risen
From the Grave” quads on a table, most of which he said were bought by a dealer from
Germany.
These are two beautiful posters, ideal for anyone starting a Hammer collection as they are
easily available and affordable. They are not and never will be worth a lot of money as there
are just to many about. I hope this hasn't depressed to many people, anyway please take a
look at the many pages of other Hammer posters on this site.
Dave.
We must acknowledge the following publications that we
have used for reference.
First is “The Hammer Story” by Marcus Hearn and Alan Barnes,-Titan Books
Great book on Hammer from beginning to end.
“British Film Posters” by Sim Branaghan. Published by the BFI.
Loads of info on artists, printers and distributors in the British film industry
“ Little Shoppe of Horrors “ by Dick Klemensen Loads of issues done over the years crammed with info and photos.
Quiet simply the best magazine ever done on Hammer.
Risen From The Grave” and “One Million Years BC/ She” well here is the story. In 1968
Hammer won the Queens Award to Industry and were riding high, so it was decided to give
away posters and stills to anyone who wrote to Hammer. It’s thought that about 400 extra
posters were printed for “Dracula Has Risen From the Grave” and the same number for the
1969 reissue of “One Million Years BC/ She” double bill. If you wrote to Hammer then you
received these two posters and 3 “action stills”, actually 8x11 prints not photos, of
Christopher Lee, Raquel Welch and Ursula Andress. I don’t know how many people wrote
to Hammer but they were still using the posters a couple of years later when promoting
“Blood From the Mummys Tomb”.
Eventually hundreds of the posters, most unfolded, found their way on to the open market
and were a very common site at the fledgling movie fairs. A story I was told by a London
poster dealer illustrates this, were he remembers about 130 unfolded “Dracula Has Risen
From the Grave” quads on a table, most of which he said were bought by a dealer from
Germany.
These are two beautiful posters, ideal for anyone starting a Hammer collection as they are
easily available and affordable. They are not and never will be worth a lot of money as there
are just to many about. I hope this hasn't depressed to many people, anyway please take a
look at the many pages of other Hammer posters on this site.
Dave.
We must acknowledge the following publications that we
have used for reference.
First is “The Hammer Story” by Marcus Hearn and Alan Barnes,-Titan Books
Great book on Hammer from beginning to end.
“British Film Posters” by Sim Branaghan. Published by the BFI.
Loads of info on artists, printers and distributors in the British film industry
“ Little Shoppe of Horrors “ by Dick Klemensen Loads of issues done over the years crammed with info and photos.
Quiet simply the best magazine ever done on Hammer.
| All advertising material (c) Hammer Film Productions. |
This site is for collectors of British Hammer Horror
posters and the Hammer work of Tom Chantrell,
poster artist.
There is a special page on Tom Chantrell plus a
few photos.
We have provided as much information on the
posters as we can, so enjoy the site, made up from
our own personal collections.
Dave and Sam HAMMERHORRORPOSTERS.COM
Valerie Leon posing in front
a few Hammer posters to
promote "Blood From The
Mummys Tomb"
a few Hammer posters to
promote "Blood From The
Mummys Tomb"
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
Two of the best
posters but not
the rarest, WHY ?
posters but not
the rarest, WHY ?
A guide to collecting British
Hammer Horror posters
Hammer Horror posters
UNFILMED HAMMER POSTERS
There were thought to be around 80 or more unfilmed Hammer projects some of which had
artwork or posters produced for them. Some of these such as "Zeppelin V Pterodactyls" and
"When the Earth Cracked Open" appeared as trade ads at the time in the early 70s. With the help
of Simon Greetham a long time fan of Tom Chantrells work we can finally see some of the artwork
produced by Chantrell for some unfilmed Hammer projects. Even though Tom Chantrell sold off
some of his original art in later years he still retained full copyright on all of his original artwork.
artwork or posters produced for them. Some of these such as "Zeppelin V Pterodactyls" and
"When the Earth Cracked Open" appeared as trade ads at the time in the early 70s. With the help
of Simon Greetham a long time fan of Tom Chantrells work we can finally see some of the artwork
produced by Chantrell for some unfilmed Hammer projects. Even though Tom Chantrell sold off
some of his original art in later years he still retained full copyright on all of his original artwork.
Trade ad art by Tom Chantrell for Jim
Danforths aborted Hammer project in 1971.
Danforths aborted Hammer project in 1971.
Tom Chantrell's two different designs for "When the Earth Cracked Open" (also known as "The Day the Earth Cracked Open")
this was to have starred Caroline Munro. Special effects were being developed and storyboards produced by Ray Harryhausen
when the project was dropped in 1971. Artwork on the left courtesy of the Stephen Jones collection.
this was to have starred Caroline Munro. Special effects were being developed and storyboards produced by Ray Harryhausen
when the project was dropped in 1971. Artwork on the left courtesy of the Stephen Jones collection.
Tom Chantrells original artwork for "A Scent of New-Mown Hay"
a post apocalyptic story of survival.
a post apocalyptic story of survival.
All original artwork
(C)Tom Chantrell
(C)Tom Chantrell
Tom Chantrells original artwork for "Mistress of the Seas" a story first put forward in 1968. This art was produced for a
brochure and shows the center spread featuring Raquel Welch.
brochure and shows the center spread featuring Raquel Welch.
This artwork or title were never used but the story was eventually
filmed in 1972 as "Fear in the Night".
Photograph (C) Simon Greetham 1998.
filmed in 1972 as "Fear in the Night".
Photograph (C) Simon Greetham 1998.
Tom Chantrell with his original art for "The Reluctant Virgin" A.K.A.
"The Bride of Newgate Gaol" from a story by Jimmy Sangster.
Photo (C) Simon Greetham.
"The Bride of Newgate Gaol" from a story by Jimmy Sangster.
Photo (C) Simon Greetham.
Toms original art for "Chaka Zulu" based on Sir H. Rider Haggards story Nada the Lily.
Photo (C) Simon Greetham.
Go to the Tom Chantrell page to see more of Simon Greetham's photos
of Tom at home and more rare original artwork.
Photo (C) Simon Greetham.
Go to the Tom Chantrell page to see more of Simon Greetham's photos
of Tom at home and more rare original artwork.
Tom Chantrell has used a reference photo of
Christopher Lee from "Dracula" on this unflmed
Dennis Wheatley story "The Haunting of Toby Jugg".
Christopher Lee from "Dracula" on this unflmed
Dennis Wheatley story "The Haunting of Toby Jugg".
Tom Chantrells design for "Kali, Devil Bride of Dracula" with Peter Cushing in the lead.
Bray 3 video 4th Aug 2007
Click on the photo to see
video or go to the Bray 3
photos page for the
YouTube version.
Click on the photo to see
video or go to the Bray 3
photos page for the
YouTube version.
Tom Chantrells pencil drawing for
"The Bride of Newgate Gaol".
"The Bride of Newgate Gaol".
| "Hammer Films the Bray Studios Years" by Wayne Kinsey published by Reynolds and Hearn "Hammer Films the Elstree Studios Years" by Wayne Kinsey published by Tomahawk Press |
Two great books
by Wayne Kinsey
and should be in
every Hammer
fans collection.
by Wayne Kinsey
and should be in
every Hammer
fans collection.
Tom Chantrells initial design for the cover of the brochure
for "Mistress of the Seas"
for "Mistress of the Seas"
Tom Chantrells final artwork for the cover of the brochure
for "Mistress of the Seas"
for "Mistress of the Seas"
Tom Chantrells original artwork for "Savage Jackboot" from the early 70's.
Courtesy of the Simon Greetham collection.
Courtesy of the Simon Greetham collection.
Tom Chantrells original artwork for "The Amazon Queen".
Not much is know about this project only that Chantrell did
this in the early 70's for Hammer and has used a reference
still of Robin Hawdon from "When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth".
It looks to be a cross between "She", "The Viking Queen" and
"Slave Girls" and was certainly one of the many projects
abandoned when Michael Carreras took over Hammer in the
early 70's.
Not much is know about this project only that Chantrell did
this in the early 70's for Hammer and has used a reference
still of Robin Hawdon from "When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth".
It looks to be a cross between "She", "The Viking Queen" and
"Slave Girls" and was certainly one of the many projects
abandoned when Michael Carreras took over Hammer in the
early 70's.