Simmons, D. (2011) Hammer Horror and science fiction. In: Hochscherf, T. and Leggott, J. (eds.) British Science Fiction Film and Television: Critical Essays. North Carolina: McFarland. pp. 50-59.
| Item Type: | Book Section |
|---|---|
| Abstract: | Though the last five years have witnessed a growth in critical discussion of the Horror output of the British Hammer film studio, there is little analysis of the role that science fiction has played in its output. Perhaps as a result of both the studio’s predominance of overtly melodramatic horror productions and the need for dominant critical hegemonies to create convenient taxonomies, critics have ignored the science fiction content of many of the films released by the studio. This chapter addresses this failing, arguing; through an analysis of Hammer’s changing depictions of the Quatermass and Frankenstein figures, that the studio maintained a belief in the commercial viability of science fiction, with much of its most respected work drawing upon the genre’s tropes and iconography. Indeed, Hammer’s commitment to the genre only faltered entirely with the general decline of the studio during the 1970s, up to this point, the studio frequently infused its most successful films with science fiction content. |
| Subjects: |
P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General) > PN3427 Special kinds of fiction. Fiction genres > PN3433.5 Science fiction P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General) > PN1993 Motion pictures |
| Creators: | Simmons, David |
| Editors: | Hochscherf, Tobias and Leggott, James |
| Publisher: | McFarland |
| Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: |
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Education & Humanities > English and Creative Writing University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Research Centre > Centre for Critical and Creative Writing Faculties > Faculty of Education & Humanities > English and Creative Writing Research Centres > Centre for Critical and Creative Writing |
| Date: | 15 March 2011 |
| Date Type: | Publication |
| Page Range: | pp. 50-59 |
| Title of Book: | British Science Fiction Film and Television: Critical Essays |
| Series Name: | Critical explorations in science fiction and fantasy |
| Volume: | 29 |
| Place of Publication: | North Carolina |
| Number of Pages: | 227 |
| Language: | English |
| ISBN: | 9780786446216 |
| Status: | Published / Disseminated |
| URI: | http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/4411 |
Actions (login required)
 |
Edit Item |
Altmetric
Altmetric
Altmetric