Hammer Horror Hits MySpace

You may well have seen one of the horror films from the Hammer Films canon. During the ‘50s and ‘60s they were the kings of the British horrorgenre, with a wonderfully chest take on Dracula as well as edging into science fiction with some of the Quatermass films.   It’s been a full three decades since Hammer (which was boughtearlier this year by the Dutch group Cyrte Investments) released a horror movie, but that’s going to change in the spring, when Beyond the Rave hits MySpace, released in 20 webisodes before arriving on DVD.   Described as a vampire story set in theUK underground dance scene (which seem like natural partners), it will feature Sadie Frost and horror veteran Ingrid Pitt.   “For Hammer to make their first movie in 30 years specificallyfor the MySpace community is a phenomenal development," James Fabricant of MySpace Europe told the BBC.   It certainly seems to be following a trend ofInternet releases. Jackass 2.5, which combines unreleased footage and new content, will be available free on the Blockbuster site from 19-31 December,although if you want it on DVD, you’ll have to pay.