I have been keeping this under my hat for a while, but I am delighted I can now say that a dream beyond my wildest has come true: I got to work with Hammer Films. Yes, I was interviewed for the Blu-ray extras for the upcoming collector’s edition release of X-The Unknown!
Of course, I grew up with Hammer. Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing could always be found somewhere, and I have since grown a serious soft spot for the Dennis Wheatley films (yes, even To The Devil… A Daughter. @ me if you want!). I still watch them regularly, and the DVDs and Blu-rays line my shelf.
Hammer is scattered throughout my first book, Death Lines: Walking London’s Horror History, I get to take you to Van Helsing’s house in Dracula A.D. 1972 or the British Museum, where Terrence Fisher’s The Mummy is partly set. I got to rewatch favourites when I was researching the book, giving a new excuse to live in the world of Hammer, though admittedly, often a London recreated on set.
So, you can only imagine what it felt like to be asked to actually help contribute to some of Hammer history. I danced around! I had an absolute panic and researched until my eyes turned blue. I was so nervous at the start that I think I was shaking. But it was amazing. I had the very best time talking about movies, and directors, and things I love. It was an absolute dream come true.
So, if you fancy hearing what I think of the almost-director of X-The Unkonwn, Joseph Losey, check out the latest release. I’m up there with rather remarkable people like John Hamilton, and Johnathan Rigby.
