Pass The Marmalade

A comprehensive guide to British horror films
Researched and compiled by Darrell Buxton

"Have you seen my Fanny?"                                                                                                                              
"Blimey, I saw THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN - that was enough!"                                    
Rita Webb/Robin Askwith, CONFESSIONS OF A POP PERFORMER (1975)                                                     



'Pass The Marmalade' was originally self-published in a limited edition of 100 copies, in January 1999. The aim of the project is to document every 'British Horror Film', which is not as easy as it sounds; given the nature of film financing (famously, Halliwell's Film Guide lists Dick Lester's THE THREE MUSKETEERS as a Panamanian movie!), the multi-media world in which we live (how do you distinguish a 'film' from a t.v.production, pop video or interactive video game?), and the cross-genre 'everything but the kitchen sink' scripts which proliferate these days and which add horrific overtones to titles as diverse as BARTON FINK and PROBLEM CHILD, it's a near-impossible task. However, someone had to have a go, and I volunteered.
So, what is 'British', what is 'horror', and what is a 'film'? Rather than attempting laborious and restrictive definitions, I've decided to leave things open to debate - it's easier, and it causes more interesting arguments! Along with the Hammer, Amicus, and Tigon titles you'd expect to find listed here, then, you'll find the likes of ALIENS (a British/American co-production), BRITANNIA HOSPITAL (normally thought of as a political satire but loaded with horror and gore), and WITCHCRAFT X: MISTRESS OF THE CRAFT (ultra-cheap shot-on-video trash commissioned as part 10 of an hitherto American franchise). In order to cover all bases, in addition to the main listing of British Horror Films I've included a section entitled 'Problem/Borderline Films', intended to ensure that nothing slips the net - featured here are non-horror films with some genre content, horror films which may or may not be British productions (the work of the legendary Harry Alan Towers caused me all sorts of problems here!), and undeniably British horror productions which are not necessarily 'films' (e.g. the BBC's lavish 1977 version of COUNT DRACULA, longer than most feature films but designed as a t.v. special rather than a movie). 
I'm particularly proud of the section devoted to short films, a much-neglected area of British cinema. We've all got fond memories of discovering some little gems amongst the 'full supporting programmes' which infected 1970s/early 1980s filmgoing like a rash, and I hope to stir a few nostalgic reminiscences here. Where is Sture Rydman now?

Naturally, a vast project of this nature could not be undertaken without the assistance, encouragement and advice of others, so let me take the opportunity to thank the following who have all contributed in various ways, major or minor;
Dave Gold and Catherine Girvan (mine's a thruppenny one!); Chris Barfield; John Gullidge; Harry Nadler (not a werewolf after all, then!) and all at the Society Of Fantastic Films/Delta Film Group; David Prothero; John Smith; Eric McNaughton; Roy and Noel Spence; Andy Boot; Steven Goodman; Andrew Parkinson, Chris Ball, Dean Sipling, Ellen Softley, and all who worked on I ZOMBIE - THE CHRONICLES OF PAIN; Jake West; Michael Wesley; Steve Langton; Andrew Clarke (the issues of 'Sight And Sound' were a real boon); Paul Cotgrove; The Gothique Film Society; David Kerekes (Headpress); John Martin; Ian Bellerby (Mr.HVC!); the late, and much-missed, Sylvia Swinborne; Steve Green; Mike Simpson; Gary and Helen Holmes; Hazel Court; Mark Coyle; Video Screams, Ohio (www.videoscreams.com);  John Rankin; Phil Topping (www.totaleclipseproductions.co.uk); Colin Hives; Bruce Naughton; Gavin Rooke Whitaker; James Willis; Paul Hart-Wilden; Kip Jenkins/'The Missing Link'; Simon Sheridan; Chris Wood (www.britishhorrorfilms.co.uk); Karen May;  Justin Kerswell/'Hysteria!' (http://www.hysteria-lives.co.uk); Norman J. Warren; Saxon Logan; Russell Kearney; Paul Sutton; Julia Kruk; Gerald Lea; Adam Marsh; Marc Morris; Drew Shimon; Kevin Lyons; Brian Davies (http://www.videasfilms.com) ; Gaetano Malaponti; Paul Burton; Paul Higson, whose pioneering work on post-1990 British horror has been utterly awe-inspiring; and above all, my great friend Dave Simpson, for invaluable access to his library, his knowledge and his opinions.
Special thanks to my brother, Paul Buxton, for creating and maintaining this website and handling all the technical difficulties.

P.S. to all those who have asked why this listing is entitled 'Pass The Marmalade', take another look at Hammer's THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN - in particular the breakfast scene immediately following the ruthless murder of Valerie Gaunt.


Dedicated to Tod Slaughter and Diana Dors

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