The Hammer Vault was published late last year and was one of my favorite horror releases of 2011. Not only was it a great way to get new horror fans up to speed on the history of Hammer, but it contained rare and never before seen materials you could only find in the book.

I recently had a chance to talk with author and Hammer historian Marcus Hearn, who told me about the inspiration for the book, researching classic films, and the possibility of a new Dracula movie from Hammer:

Thank you for taking the time to talk with Daily Dead. For any readers who may be unfamiliar with your previous work, can you tell them a bit about your earlier Hammer book releases and relationship with the company?

Marcus Hearn: I’ve been working with Hammer since 1995, initially as the editor of the company’s official magazine and more recently as a rights and archive consultant. Along the way I’ve recorded numerous DVD commentaries, produced documentaries and written several books about the company. The latest is The Hammer Vault.

Why did you choose The Hammer Vault as your latest book?

Marcus Hearn: The Hammer Vault is the result of many years of rummaging and cataloguing the Hammer archive. It struck me that once this wealth of material had been organised, photographed and contextualised it would be possible to compile a visual history of the company – a history in objects.

The Hammer Vault is a great way to get new horror fans up to speed on the Hammer catalog. When writing the book, were you consciously designing it so that it would be an easy way to get newer horror fans to learn about Hammer films?

Marcus Hearn: I suppose I was, in a subconscious way. I’ve tried to make all my Hammer books as accessible as possible. There are other Hammer experts who write books that are tailored more towards hardcore fans, but I’ve always hoped that those people would want the official books anyway. Of course it’s great that younger fans are discovering these films, and if the books have contributed to that then I’d be very happy.

At the same time, the book contains rare or previously unreleased photos that die-hard Hammer fans will love. Was their one photo in particular stood out to you as something that had to be included in this book?

Marcus Hearn: That’s a very difficult question to answer. When we started the project in 2009 we set out to include something on every page that most fans won’t have seen before. I hope we’ve succeeded in that aim. In fact we could have included so much more – the designer, Peri Godbold, tells me we probably had enough material for three books!

My favorite parts of the book included many of the candid photos, especially those with Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee who are usually so serious on screen. Did you learn anything new or were surprised by anything you came across during the making of this book?

Marcus Hearn: We learned how little Christopher Lee was paid to appear in his first Hammer horror, The Curse of Frankenstein. It’s a wonder he managed to look so cheerful!

Were there any stand-out photos or marketing materials that you wanted to include, but had to pass on?

Marcus Hearn: There were things that I knew existed, or had existed, but couldn’t locate. I knew that Hammer had conducted a disastrous publicity campaign with the British Blood Transfusion Service for the release of Dracula in 1958, but none of that material appears to have survived. Maybe someone reading this will know better. Similarly I knew there was a road safety campaign linked to The Man Who Could Cheat Death, but I wasn’t able to track down any of the actual posters – only a trade magazine article showing a picture of one of them.

While reviewing materials for each Hammer film, what would you say was your favorite film to research and why?

Marcus Hearn: My favourite film to research is The Ugly Duckling, the publicity manual for which appears in the book. It’s become something of an obsession because I’ve never seen it and don’t know anybody who has. It’s not lost or anything like that, so I hope one day we can persuade its distributor to release it on DVD.

For newer horror fans that may have never seen a Hammer film, what film would you suggest them starting with?

Marcus Hearn: Well, I think Dracula Prince of Darkness is one of the company’s quintessential Gothic horrors. It’s just been released on Blu-ray in the UK and will be coming to the US too, hopefully later this year. The restoration is very impressive. I think that would be a good place to start.

With so much available to you from the Hammer archives, are you interested in writing a second volume of The Hammer Vault?

Marcus Hearn: I’ve written three Hammer books in the last three years and I think it’s time to concentrate on other things for a while – notably the documentaries we’re making to accompany Hammer’s Blu-ray releases. Maybe a new book will occur to me once I’ve recharged my batteries, but it won’t be happening this year.

Can you tell us about your upcoming work for Hammer?

Marcus Hearn: I’ve recently been contributing to Hammer’s first iPhone app, which was launched on 9 March. The rest of my work for Hammer is dominated by the ongoing restoration project and the documentaries we’re producing to accompany the Blu-ray releases. The first one is on Dracula Prince of Darkness. Further programmes will accompany The Plague of the Zombies and The Reptile when they are released on Blu-ray in the UK in May, and Dracula when that appears later in the year.

What is your favorite of the modern Hammer releases?

Marcus Hearn: I have to say The Woman in Black. It’s not really like anything Hammer ever made before, but it still manages to remain absolutely sympathetic to the classic style.

Is there any Hammer property or film that you'd like to see remade or continued? Why?

Marcus Hearn: The company’s chairman, Simon Oakes, is talking about making a new Dracula, and setting it in present-day London. It’s fun to speculate who could step into Christopher Lee’s shoes. Just last year I would probably have dismissed the idea of another Hammer Dracula as quite far-fetched, but I think the success of The Woman in Black has opened up all sorts of possibilities.

I'd like to thank you again for taking the time to talk with us. Is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers?

Marcus Hearn: I’d just like to say thanks to anyone who buys one of the books or new Blu-rays. It all helps to contribute to the preservation and restoration of the archive.

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For more information or to purchase a copy of The Hammer Vault, visit Titan Books at: http://titanbooks.com/the-hammer-vault-5233/

 

[Image Credit: Blood Sprayer | Movieline | Dead Centre ]