Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense

A short-lived anthology television series from Hammer Studios. Though similar in format to the 1980 series Hammer House of Horror, the Mystery and Suspense series had feature-length episodes, usually running around 70 minutes without commercials. Co-produced by Hammer Studios with 20th Century Fox Television, it is known in the United States as Fox Mystery Theater. Unlike 1980's Hammer House of Horror, all episodes feature American actors as either the leads or in key roles. It first broadcast in the UK on ITV in 1984, though was not simulcast and was shown in different timeslots throughout the various regions.

Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense (1984-1986) is a British anthology mystery series created by Roy Skeggs for ITV1, produced by Hammer Film Productions together with 20th Century Fox Television. Its single season of thirteen self-contained episodes runs roughly seventy minutes each without commercial breaks, so every installment works as a complete feature-length story. Each episode follows a new cast of characters rather than a continuing protagonist, and the cast includes Jan Francis as Eva Bailey, Gareth Hunt as Peter Whiteway, James Laurenson as Luke Lorenz and Tony Anholt as Dr Marquis. The engine of each story is a puzzle of ordinary people drawn into unsettling circumstances, where the question is what is real and who can be trusted. The tone is taut and atmospheric, with slow-building unease and a reliance on sharp reveals. Set in contemporary settings with American actors in key roles, it sits within the studio's gothic lineage and was a companion to the earlier Hammer House of Horror. Fans of Hammer House of Horror, Tales from the Crypt and The Twilight Zone will find resonance in its suspenseful, twist-driven storytelling and its eerie, self-contained tales.

• Hammer House of Horroranthology format of self-contained suspense stories with a studio horror heritage
• Tales from the Cryptanthology of self-contained eerie stories with twist-driven suspense
• The Twilight Zoneanthology of standalone supernatural and suspense tales with a single host-driven format

Created by

Roy Skeggs

Release Date

1984-09-05

Episode runtime

70 min

Rating

7.2 / 10 (10)

What is Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense about?

A short-lived 1980s British anthology of feature-length mystery and suspense stories from Hammer Studios.

What is Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense violent?

Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense as mild.

Which shows are like Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense?

Shows with a similar feel include Hammer House of Horror, Tales from the Crypt, and The Twilight Zone.

How long is Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense?

Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense: 1 season, 13 episodes.

Is Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense still running?

No, Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense has ended.