Robert James Hamer was born in 1911 along with his twin sister Barbara, the son of Owen Dyke Hamer, a bank clerk, and his wife, Annie Grace Brickell. He was educated at Cambridge University where he wrote some poetry and was published in a collection 'Contemporaries and Their Maker', along with the spy Donald Maclean. Hamer's cinematic career began...
[on 'Kind Hearts And Coronets'] It became evident that we had a subject with most agreeable possibilities. What were the possibilities that thus presented themselves? Firstly, that of making a film not noticeably similar to any previously made in the English language. Secondly, that of using the English language, which I love, in a more varied, and, to me, more interesting way than I had previously had the chance of doing in a film. Thirdly, that of making a picture which paid no regard whatever to established, though not practiced, moral convention.
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Fact
1
He made a major contribution to the screenplay of A Jolly Bad Fellow (1964) and had hoped to return to directing with it.but due to his continued alcoholism the producers wouldn't hire him and in fact, he died aged 52 several months before the film was released.
2
Pre-production work on "School For Scoundrels" was marked by enormous arguments between Hamer and producer Hal E. Chester (who contrived to annoy many other people on the film, too). The creative differences continued after the start of filming, and, after five weeks' work, Hamer, who had successfully remained completely teetotal up to this point, went on a massive drinking binge which made him unfit for work and caused him to be fired. The last three weeks of filming were directed by an uncredited Cyril Frankel.
3
Chronic alcoholism ended both his marriage and his career as a director, and it eventually led to his early death. At the time he died, he was almost penniless and had only a monthly allowance from his father to support himself with.
4
Was married from the mid 30's to the mid 50's to the actress Joan Holt the sister of fellow-director Seth Holt.
5
Biography in: John Wakeman, editor. "World Film Directors, Volume One, 1890-1945". Pages 438-441. New York: The H.W. Wilson Company, 1987.
Director
Title
Year
Status
Character
School for Scoundrels
1960
The Scapegoat
1959
ITV Play of the Week
1955
TV Series 2 episodes
To Paris with Love
1955
The Detective
1954
The Long Memory
1953
His Excellency
1952
The Spider and the Fly
1949
Kind Hearts and Coronets
1949
It Always Rains on Sunday
1947
The Loves of Joanna Godden
1947
uncredited
Pink String and Sealing Wax
1945
Dead of Night
1945
segment "The Haunted Mirror"
San Demetrio London
1943
completed film, uncredited
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
They All Died Laughing
1964
55 Days at Peking
1963
additional dialogue
The Scapegoat
1959
screenplay
Rowlandson's England
1955
Documentary short
ITV Play of the Week
TV Series adaptation - 1 episode, 1955 adapted by - 1 episode, 1955
The Detective
1954
screenplay
The Long Memory
1953
screenplay
His Excellency
1952
screenplay
Kind Hearts and Coronets
1949
screenplay
It Always Rains on Sunday
1947
screenplay
Pink String and Sealing Wax
1945
script contribution
San Demetrio London
1943
screenplay
Editor
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Foreman Went to France
1942
Ships with Wings
1942
Turned Out Nice Again
1941
French Communique
1940
Documentary short
Jamaica Inn
1939
film editor
Sidewalks of London
1938
The Beachcomber
1938
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
While Nero Fiddled
1944
associate producer
San Demetrio London
1943
associate producer
My Learned Friend
1943
associate producer - uncredited
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
While Nero Fiddled
1944
lyrics
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
While Nero Fiddled
1944
lyrics: "Caesar's Wife", "I'm a Fool About Love", "You Never Can Tell" - uncredited
$1.2 Million
