Four-sided Triangle (1953)

When scientists and best friends Bill Leggatt (Stephen Murray) and Robin Grant (John Van Eyssen) fall in love with the same girl (Barbara Payton), they solve their rivalry by making a replica of her, using a reproducing machine which faithfully duplicates any object exactly.

In their childhood, the three had been the best of friends, the perfect triangle. But years later when Lena returns to her sleepy home (from the US) the tone of the relationship changes, and she falls in love with Robin.

The lovesick duo faces an even worse situation as the duplicate copy they create – called Helen – still loves Robin.

Bill decides that the only possible solution is to eradicate Helen’s memory and start afresh. She agrees to this, and Lena offers to help in the experiment.

The process is a success, but a fuse in the laboratory results in an explosion and fire. Robin dashes into the blazing building but can only save one of the girls. The problem is, who survived?

The film is narrated by the small town physician Dr Harvey (James Hayter).

One of the earliest Hammer movies made prior to their international breakthrough with The Quatermass Xperiment (1955) and The Curse of Frankenstein (1957), this slow-moving cautionary tale is methodically helmed by future Hammer in-house director Terence Fisher with little of the flair he would soon be famous for.

Reminiscent of Frankenstein in a Home Counties setting, this literate curiosity is seen by Hammer fans as a distinct pointer towards the House of Horrors to come.

Lena Maitland/Helen
Barbara Payton
Sir Walter Grant
Percy Marmont
Dr Harvey
James Hayter
Bill Leggatt
Stephen Murray
Robin Grant
John Van Eyssen

Director
Terence Fisher