There has been a tremendous amount of renewed interest in the output of Britain’s Hammer Films. But there remain a great number of worthwhile British horror films, made at the same time by other companies, that have received little attention. The author provides a comprehensive listing of British horror films—including science fiction, fantasy, and suspense films containing horror-genre elements—that were released between 1956 and 1976, the “Golden Age” of British horror. Entries are listed alphabetically by original British title, from Vincent Price in The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971) to Zeta One (1969). Entries also include American title, release information, a critique of the film, and the film’s video availability.
The book is filled with photographs and contains interviews with four key figures: Max J. Rosenberg, cofounder of Amicus Productions, one of the period’s major studios; Louis M. Heyward, former writer, film executive and producer; Aida Young, film and television producer; and Gordon Hessler, director of such films as The Oblong Box and Murders in the Rue Morgue.

Gary A. Smith is the author of six other books dealing with various aspects of motion picture history. His subjects have ranged from epic films such as Ben-Hur to the Beach Party movies starring Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello. A lifelong film fan, he lives in Palm Springs, California.

Gary A. Smith
Foreword by James Bernard
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 277
Bibliographic Info: 136 photos, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2006 [2000]
pISBN: 978-0-7864-2661-4
eISBN: 978-1-4766-0530-2
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      vii

Foreword (by James Bernard)      1

Preface      3

Introduction      5

Recollections: Four Interviews

Max J. Rosenberg      15

Louis M. Heyward      17

Aida Young      21

Gordon Hessler      23

THE FILMS      29

Bibliography      245

Index      247

“extensive bibliography…a very well-developed index”—ARBA; “recommended”—Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts; “another nicely-produced volume from McFarland”—Interzone; “McFarland is without question the top publisher of film reference books. Its tomes are must-haves for classic-cinema fans and are often well worth the hefty asking price…well worth owning”—VideoScope; “an affectionate, generously illustrated overview of the genre…Smith’s approach is encyclopedic”—Filmfax; “useful”—Psychotronic; “packed with info”—Little Shoppe of Horrors; “a valuable source”—Scarlet Street; “comprehensive”—Cult Movies.