The son of James Carreras – Enrique – formed a distribution company in partnership with Will Hinds in 1935. The company was called Exclusive Films and during the 1940’s it produced the occasional few films based on radio characters such as Dick Barton. The company was very much a family run affair, and in 1947 its production activities were rationalised and a new company, Hammer films, was set up.
The name came from the stage name of Exclusive’s co-owner Will Hinds, who was known as Will Hammer in the theatre. James Carreras became the managing director; Anthony Hinds (Will Hinds’ son) became a producer, and Michael, another son of James Carreras, became his assistant. The production company came about at a bad time for film in Britain, with the industry falling into recession as films were not making profit. Hammer though, survived, thanks largely to James Carreras’ idea that if a film would not make profit then it should not be made at all. With ruthless cost-cutting and a determination to treat films as commercial products rather than simply expressionist art, Hammer was able to maintain itself. Find out more here
