Have you ever watched a film that you just knew was a Hammer film, only to discover it wasn’t?  Chances are, you had just watched an Amicus film.  From the early 60’s through the mid 70’s, Amicus produced films were giving their British counterpart, Hammer Studios, a run for their money in the production of top-notch sci-fi and horror films.  While never the force that Hammer was, Amicus produced films were entertaining, stylish and continue to garner fans to this day.  What is unknown to many of the Amicus fans......Amicus was the result of a partnership between two men from the United States; Milton Subotsky and Max J. Rosenberg, both from New York City.  These two men managed to put together a production company that churned out some of the best horror films to be produced in the 60’s and 70’s.

     Amicus’ forte seemed to lie in the making of anthologies, although, the studio certainly didn’t limit itself to just anthologies.  Amicus films covered a little bit of everything, sci-fi, horror, psychological thrillers and fantasies and regardless if critics sang a film’s praises or not, the film-going public seemed to clamor for anything associated with Amicus.  There are several reasons for the success of the Amicus films, they employed fantastic writers, directors and actors/actresses and part of the reason that Amicus may be considered, *Hammer’s Little Brother* is, so many of the actors and actresses as well as the directors that built their reputations on Hammer films, did cross over and work on Amicus films, too. 

     While Hammer films often have a more polished look to them, Amicus films certainly can’t be disregarded, as the Amicus film often delved into society’s darker side, the side that is often better left behind closed doors or locked in one’s own heart.....a side to society that most tend to hide, but Amicus dared to bring to the forefront.  So, next time you find yourself in a rental shop or happen to stumble across an airing of an Amicus film.....stop, look and enjoy!