Editing Hammer Film Productions (section)

===Revival (1938–1955)===
[[File:Bray_Film_Studios_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1591972.jpg|thumb|right|[[Bray Studios (UK)|Bray Studios]], Berkshire. Bray Studios, close to the frequently-used filming location [[Oakley Court]], was Hammer's principal base from 1951 to 1966.]]
[[James Carreras]], Enrique's son, joined Exclusive in 1938, closely followed by William Hinds' son, Anthony. At the outbreak of World War II, James Carreras and [[Anthony Hinds]] left to join the armed forces and Exclusive continued to operate in a limited capacity. In 1946, James Carreras rejoined the company after [[demobilisation]]. He resurrected Hammer as the film production arm of Exclusive with a view to supplying '[[quota-quickies]]', cheaply made domestic films designed to fill gaps in cinema schedules and support more expensive features.{{sfn|Kinsey|2005|page=11}} He convinced Anthony Hinds to rejoin the company, and a revived Hammer Film Productions set to work on ''[[Death in High Heels]]'', ''The Dark Road'', and ''Crime Reporter''. Not able to afford top stars, Hammer acquired the film rights to BBC radio series such as ''[[The Adventures of PC 49]]'' and ''[[Dick Barton: Special Agent]]'' (an adaptation of the successful [[Dick Barton]] radio show).<ref>{{cite web|work=Radio Days|url=http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/radio/pc49.htm|access-date=3 November 2013|title=The Adventures of PC 49}}</ref> All were filmed at Marylebone Studios during 1947. During the production of ''[[Dick Barton Strikes Back]]'' (1948), it became apparent that the company could save money by shooting in [[country house]]s instead of studios. For the next production, ''[[Doctor Morelle|Dr Morelle – The Case of the Missing Heiress]]'' (another radio adaptation), Hammer rented Dial Close,<ref>Dial Close, Winter Hill, Cookham, Maidenhead, Windsor And Maidenhead SL6 9TT</ref><ref name="ribapix/dial-close">{{cite web |title=Dial Close, Cookham Dean, Berkshire: the library |url=https://www.ribapix.com/dial-close-cookham-dean-berkshire-the-library_riba106749 |website=RIBApix |access-date=29 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref> a 23 bedroom mansion on Winter Hill,<ref name="cookham/films">{{cite web |title=Cookham and the movies |url=https://www.cookham.com/adverts/miscellaneous/heritagecentre/cookhamfilms.htm |website=www.cookham.com |access-date=29 December 2024}}</ref> beside the [[River Thames]], at [[Cookham Dean]], [[Maidenhead]].<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Little Shoppe of Horrors|issue=4|editor-first=Richard|editor-last=Klemensen|page=38|title=Michael Carreras interview}}</ref>

On 12 February 1949, Exclusive registered "Hammer Film Productions" as a company with Enrique and James Carreras, and William and Tony Hinds as directors. Hammer moved into the Exclusive offices in 113-117 Wardour Street, and the building was rechristened "Hammer House".{{sfn|Kinsey|2005|page=13}}

In August 1949, complaints from locals about noise during night filming forced Hammer to leave Dial Close and move into another mansion, [[Oakley Court]], also on the banks of the Thames between [[Windsor, Berkshire|Windsor]] and Maidenhead.{{sfn|Kinsey|2005|page=16}} Five films were produced there: ''[[Man in Black (film)|Man in Black]]'' (1949), ''Room to Let'' (1949), ''[[Someone at the Door (1950 film)|Someone at the Door]]'' (1949), ''[[What the Butler Saw (1950 film)|What the Butler Saw]]'' (1950), ''[[The Lady Craved Excitement]]'' (1950).

In 1950, Hammer moved again to Gilston Park, a country club in Harlow, Essex, which hosted ''[[The Black Widow (1951 film)|The Black Widow]]'', ''[[The Rossiter Case]]'', ''[[To Have and to Hold (1951 film)|To Have and to Hold]]'' and ''The Dark Light'' (all 1950).

In 1951, Hammer began shooting at their most fondly-remembered base, Down Place, on the banks of the Thames. The company signed a one-year lease and began its 1951 production schedule with ''[[Cloudburst (1951 film)|Cloudburst]]''. The house, virtually derelict, required substantial work, but it did not have the construction restrictions that had prevented Hammer from customising previous homes. A decision was made to remodel Down Place into a substantial, custom-fitted studio complex{{sfn|Kinsey|2005|pages=20–22}} that became known as [[Bray Studios (UK)|Bray Studios]]. The expansive grounds were used for much of the later location shooting in Hammer's films and are a key to the 'Hammer look'.

Also in 1951, Hammer and Exclusive signed a four-year production and distribution contract with [[Robert Lippert]], an American film producer. The contract meant that [[Lippert Pictures]] and Exclusive effectively exchanged products for distribution on their respective sides of the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]]{{spaced ndash}}beginning in 1951 with ''[[The Last Page]]'' and ending with 1955's ''[[Women Without Men (1956 film)|Women Without Men]]'' (a.k.a. ''Prison Story'').{{sfn|Kinsey|2005|page=22}} It was Lippert's insistence on an American star in the Hammer films he was to distribute that led to the prevalence of American leads in many of the company's productions during the 1950s. It was for ''The Last Page'' that Hammer made a significant appointment when they hired film director [[Terence Fisher]], who played a critical role in the forthcoming horror cycle.

Towards the end of 1951, the one-year lease on Down Place expired, and with its growing success Hammer looked towards more conventional studio-based productions. A dispute with the Association of Cinematograph Technicians blocked this proposal, and the company purchased the freehold of Down Place instead. The house was renamed [[Bray Studios (UK)|Bray Studios]] after the nearby village of [[Bray, Berkshire|Bray]], and it remained Hammer's principal base until 1966.{{sfn|Kinsey|2005|page=22}} In 1953, the first of Hammer's science fiction films, ''[[Four Sided Triangle]]'' and ''[[Spaceways]]'', were released.