The 7 Hammer Horror Movies With Dracula

The Hammer Horror Dracula films are a series of British Gothic horror movies produced by Hammer Film Productions, beginning in the late 1950s. These films are known for their atmospheric storytelling, vivid color cinematography, and striking performances, particularly by Christopher Lee as Count Dracula and Peter Cushing as his nemesis, Professor Abraham Van Helsing.

Key Films in the Series

  1. Horror of Dracula (1958)
    • The first Hammer Dracula film and arguably the most iconic.
    • Christopher Lee debuts as Dracula, with Peter Cushing as Van Helsing.
    • A loose adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel, known for its sensuality, graphic violence (for its time), and vibrant visuals.
  2. Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966)
    • Lee reprises his role, though Dracula has no dialogue in this installment.
    • The story follows a group of travelers who unwittingly revive the vampire.
  3. Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1968)
    • Dracula returns from the dead to terrorize a small village.
    • Known for its religious themes and lush, Gothic visuals.
  4. Taste the Blood of Dracula (1970)
    • Focuses on a group of bored aristocrats who revive Dracula as part of a satanic ritual.
    • Lee continues to deliver a menacing presence.
  5. Scars of Dracula (1970)
    • Offers a more violent and gory take on the Dracula mythos.
    • Dracula is portrayed as particularly cruel and sadistic in this entry.
  6. Dracula A.D. 1972 (1972)
    • A significant departure, bringing Dracula into a contemporary London setting.
    • Features Van Helsing’s descendant battling Dracula.
  7. The Satanic Rites of Dracula (1973)
    • A sequel to Dracula A.D. 1972, blending Gothic horror with espionage thriller elements.
    • Dracula plots to unleash a deadly plague on humanity.
  8. The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires (1974)
    • A unique blend of Gothic horror and martial arts.
    • Does not feature Christopher Lee; Dracula is portrayed by John Forbes-Robertson.

Hallmarks of the Series

  • Christopher Lee’s Dracula: Tall, imposing, and with a mix of seductive charm and monstrous brutality, Lee’s portrayal redefined the character.
  • Peter Cushing’s Van Helsing: A fearless, intelligent adversary to Dracula, often serving as the moral and physical force against evil.
  • Production Design: Lavish Gothic sets, moody lighting, and Hammer’s signature use of Technicolor heightened the sense of dread and macabre beauty.
  • Themes: The films often explored themes of repressed sexuality, religion, and societal decadence.

Legacy

The Hammer Dracula series had a profound impact on the horror genre, influencing subsequent vampire films and popularizing Dracula as a cultural icon. The films remain celebrated for their performances, style, and ability to blend terror with an underlying sense of tragedy.

Two Movies That Are Set Around Black Friday

I was looking around for any movies set around Black Friday or has a Black Friday event in them and I long found two that I have watched. There are a few more but none that I have watched:

1. Jingle All The Way (1996) Arnie’s Jingle All the Way was a merry romp through the commercialized circus of the holidays. Tasked with finding a Turbo-Man toy, Howard Langston (Arnold Schwarzenegger) experiences Black Friday mayhem firsthand. Premiering on November 22, 1996, director Brian Levant playfully poked at the absurdity of holiday consumerism. Fun fact: Jake Lloyd, who played young Anakin Skywalker, portrayed Howard’s son. A review in The Guardian commented, “A commercial satire that unwittingly became what it parodied.”

2. Dawn of the Dead (2004) Zack Snyder’s reimagining of Romero’s classic isn’t strictly a Black Friday film, but the zombie onslaught mirrors the shopping stampedes. Premiering on March 19, 2004, it’s said Snyder chose a mall setting as an allegory for consumerism run amok. The LA Times aptly remarked, “A terrifying look at what happens when the shopping goes too far.”

The most successful horror film franchises

As of November 2024, the most successful horror film franchises, based on global box office revenue, are:

  1. The Conjuring Universe: This franchise, initiated with “The Conjuring” in 2013, has expanded to include films like “Annabelle,” “The Nun,” and their sequels. Collectively, these movies have grossed over $2.36 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing horror franchise to date.
  2. Alien: Starting with Ridley Scott’s “Alien” in 1979, this sci-fi horror series has produced multiple sequels and prequels, including “Aliens,” “Prometheus,” and “Alien: Covenant.” The franchise has amassed approximately $1.65 billion globally.
  3. Resident Evil: Based on the popular video game series, the “Resident Evil” films began in 2002 and have released several sequels, with the latest being “Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City” in 2021. The series has generated over $1.2 billion worldwide.
  4. It: Adapted from Stephen King’s novel, the “It” franchise includes “It” (2017) and “It Chapter Two” (2019). Combined, these films have grossed over $1.1 billion globally.
  5. Jaws: Steven Spielberg’s 1975 classic “Jaws” spawned three sequels. Collectively, the franchise has earned approximately $819 million worldwide.
  6. Halloween: Beginning with John Carpenter’s “Halloween” in 1978, this slasher series has seen numerous sequels and reboots, including the recent trilogy concluding with “Halloween Ends” in 2022. The franchise has accumulated over $877 million globally.
  7. Saw: Known for its intricate traps and moral dilemmas, the “Saw” series started in 2004 and has released multiple sequels, with “Saw X” premiering in 2023. The franchise has grossed over $1 billion worldwide.
  8. Paranormal Activity: This found-footage horror series began in 2007 and has produced several sequels, with the latest installment, “Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin,” released in 2021. The franchise has earned over $890 million globally.

These franchises have not only achieved significant box office success but have also left a lasting impact on the horror genre, influencing numerous films and spawning dedicated fan bases.

RIP TONY TODD

Tony Todd, the popular Hollywood actor, passed away on November 6 at the age of 69. He took his last breath at his California residence in Marina Del Rey. The news of his demise was confirmed by a representation. The reason for his death has not been disclosed yet. The late actor made his acting debut in 1986 and starred in several memorable roles throughout his career. His breakthrough role was the horror movie ‘Night Of The Living Dead’ in 1990, where he played the role of Ben. He is probably most known for his role as Candyman in the horror film franchise ‘Candyman’ an is well known for his multiple roles in Star Trek.

Todd’s films include Platoon (1986), Night of the Living Dead (1990), The Crow (1994), The Rock (1996),  Wishmaster (1997), HatchetMinotaur (both 2006), The Man from Earth (2007), Frankenstein (2015), Death House (2017), and Hell Fest (2018). He is a favourite in the horror film universe with roles in Night of the Living Dead and in his iconic portrayal of Daniel Robittaile/The Candyman in the 1992 film Candyman which is a cult favourite. He followed up his role with the 2 sequels Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh & Candyman: Day of the Dead as well as a cameo in the 2021 Candyman movie. He is also known for his supporting role in the horror franchise Final Destination and his final role in the movie series will be release posthumously in 2025 with the film Final Destination: Bloodlines.

He has portrayed several characters in the Star Trek universe: Worf’s brother Kurn in Star Trek: The Next Generation  (1990–1991) and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1996), an adult Jake Sisko in the episode “The Visitor” in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and an Alpha Hirogen in the episode “Prey” in Star Trek: Voyager. In 2017, Todd returned to the world of Star Trek as General Rodek in the MMORPG game Star Trek Online; Rodek was the persona taken on by Kurn after he lost the memories of his past life as Worf’s brother in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode “Sons of Mogh”. He also portrayed Admiral Marcus Ramirez in the Star Trek fan film Axanar.

Todd was a prolific voice actor, notably voicing The Fallen in Michael Bay’s Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009), Zoom in The Flash (2015–2023), Darkseid in the DC Animated Movie Universe (2015–2020), and Venom in the video game Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (2023). The lattermost earned him a British Academy Games Award nomination. One of his best roles was as Dan in the highly rated indie science fiction drama film The Man From Earth.

RIP Teri Garr

Teri Garr, the quirky comedy actor who rose from background dancer in Elvis Presley movies to co-star of such favorites as “Young Frankenstein” and “Tootsie,” has died. She was 79. Known for her comedic roles in film and television she received nominations for an Academy Award, and a British Academy Film Award. Garr died Tuesday of multiple sclerosis surrounded by family and friends. She battled other health problems in recent years and underwent an operation in January 2007 to repair an aneurysm.

Garr was raised primarily in North Hollywood, California. She was the third child of a comedic-actor father and a studio costumer mother. In her youth, Garr trained in ballet and other forms of dance. She began her career as a teenager with small roles in television and film in the early 1960s, including appearances as a dancer in six Elvis Presley musicals. She studied acting at the Lee Strasberg Institute in New York City. She had her big break appearing in an episode of Star Trek, “Assignment Earth”. Garr was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her comedic role as an acting student in  Tootsie (1982).

She is known for her roles in Francis Ford Coppola’s thriller The Conversation  (1974) and One from the Heart (1982), Mel Brooks’s comedy Young Frankenstein (1974), Steven Spielberg’s science fiction film Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) and Martin Scorsese’s black comedy After Hours (1985). She also acted in the comedy films Oh, God! (1977), Mr. Mom (1983), Dumb and Dumber  (1994), Michael (1996) and Ghost World (2001). Garr was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her comedic role as an acting student in Tootsie (1982). She is known for her roles in Francis Ford Coppola’s thriller The Conversation (1974) and One from the Heart (1982), Mel Brooks’s comedy Young Frankenstein (1974), Steven Spielberg’s science fiction film Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) and Martin Scorsese’s black comedy After Hours (1985). She also acted in the comedy films Oh, God! (1977), Mr. Mom (1983), Dumb and Dumber (1994), Michael (1996) and Ghost World (2001).

In the late 1990s, Garr landed a role as recurring character Phoebe Abbott in Friends, the estranged birth mother of Phoebe Buffay. She retired from acting in 2011. In 2006, Garr published an autobiography,  Speedbumps: Flooring It Through Hollywood, which details her career and health struggles after her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. In the early 1980s, Garr was in a seven-year relationship with film executive Roger Birnbaum, followe y a 7 year relationship with physician John O’Neil. Garr married  building contractor John O’Neil, and that same year, in November, they were present when their adopted daughter Molly O’Neil was born. The couple divorced in 1996.

Five Movies That Are Set During Autumn

Practical Magic :  Starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, two sisters are born into a magical family who have tried their best to avoid witchcraft. When one of their boyfriends dies unexpectedly, the Owen sisters give dark magic a try, but their same spell threatens to end their family line.

Knives Out : Following in the tradition of an Agatha Christie novel and a great whodunit, Knives Out will have you guessing from the very start which member of the wealthy and dysfunctional Thrombey family is guilty when the knife-collecting patriarch is found dead. Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is called in to investigate and decipher truth from deception.

The Village : An Amish-style village in the woods of Pennsylvania is plagued by fears of creatures that live in the woods that surround them. When a young boy becomes ill, a young blind woman is forced to brave the woods and the unknown beings that live there to save her village.

The Goonies : “Goonies never say die!” Something about fall brings out the craving for adventure and discovery, and that’s just what the group that calls themselves the “Goonies” do when they discover a treasure map to a pirate named One Eyed Willie’s treasure. Along the way, they must dodge booby traps, keep a group of fugitives at bay, and stick together long enough to maybe save their homes.

School Of Rock : Autumn means back to school, making this classic movie a must watch of the season. Jack Black gets a group of 5th graders ready to rock for a Battle of the Bands competition. Some great music, a coming of age film, great child actors and comedy.

Five Awesome British Horror Movies To Watch This Halloween

Danny Boyle’s horror gem 28 Days Later tells the story of Jim, a young man waking up from a coma after an accident. The hospital is deserted. The streets of London are empty. There’s no one in sight. Not much time passes until Jim gets horribly attacked by vicious zombies that are definitely not the Romero-type of the undead. They’re fast and hungry. Luckily, Jim survives the attack and alongside other human survivors, starts a journey towards a sanctuary of some kind.

The Descent, written and directed by Neil Marshall, is a film that gets better and better after each rewatch. The story holds up, and Marshall keeps everything on a low-profile to avoid exposing everything. It tells the story of a group of female friends who go on a bonding trip to a remote location. Their intention is to explore a cave system. What they don’t expect is facing the creatures lurking inside that love to eat human flesh. The risky decision in its third act will forever feel like a trick to the audience, but sometimes that’s the purpose of horror. To play with you and subject you to the unnerving reality that forces you to think that maybe everything will not be OK.

In The Wicker Man, a devout police officer heads over to a mysterious island to investigate a girl’s disappearance. It’s a strange setting from the start, but it only makes him uncomfortable because of his religious values. However, things take a dark turn when Neil Howie notices the population doesn’t practice Christianity but some sort of paganism. And we all know what those include, right? Sacrifice! Robin Hardy’s film is a genre-bending folk horror movie that goes from funny to unsettling in a matter of minutes. If you ever want to prepare a double bill featuring Ari Aster’s MidsommarThe Wicker Man is the way to go.

An American Werewolf in London is a 1981 comedy horror film written and directed by John Landis. he film stars David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Griffin Dunne and John Woodvine. The film’s plot follows two American backpackers, David and Jack, who are attacked by a werewolf while travelling in England, causing David to become a werewolf under the next full moon. This also puts his new relationship with pretty young nurse Alex Price and other people in jeopardy, while being haunted by visions of Jack and his victims.

Dog Soldiers is a 2002 British action horror film written, directed and edited by Neil Marshall in his  feature directorial debut. Starring Sean Pertwee, Kevin McKidd, Emma Cleasby and Liam Cunningham, the film follows a squad of soldiers fighting to survive an attack by a pack of werewolves during a military training exercise in the Scottish Highlands. Also one of the best werewolf movies ever.

Five Scary Movie Set On Halloween To Watch This Halloween

André Øvredal’s Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is based on the book series written by Alvin Schwartz. Set on Halloween in 1968, a group of teenage friends find the book written by the daughter of Bellows family, Sarah, in a secret room. One of the children, Stella, takes the book home, and as she reads the book, new stories appear and play out on the screen. Sarah is sending a message, but what is it? You have to watch the movie to find out. The film stars Zoe Colletti, Michael Garza, Gabriel Rush, Gil Bellows, and Dean Norris.

Kevin S. Tenney’s Night of the Demons is a fun 80s horror comedy movie set on Halloween night when friends go to a party in an abandoned mortuary. Why? Because it’s spookier, that’s why. It stars Cathy Powell as goth queen Amelia Kinkade, horror darling Linnea Quigley, and Hal Havins. The film is perhaps most famous for Angela Franklin’s seductive dance to Bauhaus’s song Stigmata Martyr as she turns into a demon. Angela is the only character appearing in the entire series; the second film is also set on Halloween.

Trick ‘r Treat is a 2007 American anthology horror film written and directed by Michael Dougherty (in his directorial debut) and produced by Bryan Singer. The film stars Dylan Baker, Rochelle Aytes, Anna Paquin, and Brian Cox. It relates four Halloween horror stories with a common element in them: Sam, a trick-or-treating demon wearing orange footie pajamas with a burlap sack over his head. The character appears in each story whenever one of the other characters breaks a Halloween tradition. Despite being delayed for two years and having only a limited number of screenings at film festivals, the film received positive reviews and has since garnered a cult following.

The Coven is a 2015 United Kingdom fantasy horror feature film directed by John Mackie (director) and starring Dexter Fletcher. It is stated that the film is based upon actual events. The plot revolves around a Wiccan group, whose leader Uri Clef, and seven followers disappear. They were last seen at The Coven, a ring of trees in Queens Wood once used as a meeting place by practitioners of Cochrane’s Craft. Some schoolkids are drawn to visit Queen’s Wood in Highgate on Halloween.

Ginger Snaps is a 2000 Canadian supernatural horror film directed by John Fawcett and written by Karen Walton, from a story they jointly developed. The film stars Emily Perkins and Katharine Isabelle  as Brigitte and Ginger Fitzgerald, two morbid teenage sisters whose relationship is tested when Ginger (who has started her period for the first time) is attacked and bitten by an unknown animal, and then later, during the next full moon, slowly starts to transform into a werewolf. The supporting cast features Kris Lemche, Jesse Moss, Danielle Hampton, John Bourgeois, Peter Keleghan, and Mimi Rogers.

RIP Kris Kristofferson

Kris Kristofferson, the renowned award winning actor and country singer-songwriter, has died. He was 88. He was surrounded by family when he died “peacefully” at his home in Maui on Saturday, Sept. 28. Kristoffer Kristofferson was born in Brownsville, Texas, to Mary Ann (née Ashbrook) and Lars Henry Kristofferson, a U.S. Army Air Corps officer (later a U.S. Air Force major general). Although his father tried to push Kris into the military, Kristofferson attended Pomona College and experienced his first national exposure in 1958, appearing in the March 31 issue of Sports Illustrated for his achievements in collegiate rugby union, American football, and track and field. In 1960, Kristofferson graduated with a B.Phil. degree in English literature from Oxford.

Though he wanted to be a writer under pressure from his family, joined the U.S. Army and was commissioned as a second lieutenant, attaining the rank of captain. He became a helicopter pilot after receiving flight training. During the early 1960s, he was stationed in West Germany as a member of the 8th Infantry Division. During this time, he resumed his music career and formed a band. After leaving the army in 1965, Kristofferson moved to Nashville. Struggling for success in music, he worked at odd jobs in the meantime while burdened with medical expenses resulting from his son’s defective esophagus. He and his wife divorced in 1968.

Among his songwriting credits are “Me and Bobby McGee”, “For the Good Times”, “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down”, and “Help Me Make It Through the Night”, all of which were hits for other artists. He release 21 solo albums and won several Grammy’s. In 1985, Kristofferson joined fellow country artists Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash in the country music supergroup the Highwaymen, which was a key creative force in the outlaw country music movement that eschewed the traditional Nashville country music machine in favor of independent songwriting and producing.

As an actor, Kristofferson was known for his roles in Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973), Blume in Love (1973), Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974), A Star Is Born (1976) (which earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor), Convoy (1978), Heaven’s Gate (1980), Stagecoach (1986), Millenium (1989), Lone Star (1996), and the Blade film trilogy (1998–2004). Kristofferson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004 and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. Following the release of his final studio album, The Cedar Creek Sessions, in 2016, the country icon formally announced his retirement from music in 2021 and shared that Morris Higham Management was representing his estate.

Married 3 times, he also dated Janis Joplin for a while. His second marriage was to singer Rita Coolidge in 1973, ending in divorce by 1980. Kristofferson married Lisa Meyers in 1983. Kristofferson and Meyers owned a home in Las Flores Canyon in Malibu, California,[31] and maintained a residence in Hana, Hawaii, on the island of Maui. Kristofferson had eight children from his three marriages: two from his first marriage to Fran Beer; one from his second marriage to Rita Coolidge and five from his marriage to his third wife, Lisa (née Meyers) Kristofferson.