A search for a greater reality within the framework of the horror story was the primary aim of producer Frank Godwin and writer Christopher Wicking when they first conceived the original story of DEMONS OF THE MIND - a premise that is borne out strongly in the final screenplay. Director Peter Sykes, 32 - year - old Australian born film - maker, whose expertise in this genre has already been warmly noted with his movie "Venom", says of the horror story: "It gets at the grass roots of the basis of life; the fear of the dark and of death. Everyone is basically scared of the same things." To make a true horror film in a world filled with daily horrors probably imposes a greater challenge now than ever before, Frank Godwin maintains. Certainly it calls for greater realism in subject and treatment. Realism has never been a stumbling block for this producer, whose earlier screen successes forged a way for some of the first authentic portrayals of recognisible characters as in "Woman in a Dressing Gown", and "No Trees in the Street".

Now, with DEMONS OF THE MIND, his new production stylishly delves into an area of psychological horror, and through atmosphere and strong characterisation carries the true hallmarks of terror in the fears of the unseen, the unknown. Heading the cast is Paul Jones, who starred in "Privilege" and the Broadway run of "Conduct Unbecoming". He has the romantic leading role of "Carl", who attempts to rescue a tortured young girl, "Elizabeth", from the demonic beliefs of her father.

The distinguished actor Patrick Magee, whose recent screen roles include "A Clockwork Orange", and "The Trojan Woman", is cast as "Falkenberg", a self-professed genius who practises the hypnotic techniques of Mesmer. In a starring role as "Elizabeth" is Gillian Hills, the beautiful young blonde actress now establishing a bi-lingual career in British and French movies ("A Clockwork Orange" and "La Faute de l’Abbe Mouret"). Elizabeth’s father, the formidable "Baron Zorn", is played by Robert Hardy, who recently completed filming "The Young Winston", and was seen opposite Glenda Jackson in the television production of "Elizabeth R" in which he played the "Earl of Leicester". The important role of "Klaus", a man dedicated to the cause of "Zorn", is played by Kenneth J. Warren who was also currently appearing on stage in the smash-hit production of "Canterbury Tales".

Shane Briant, who has created a critical stir with his stage performances, makes his screen debut in this film, sharing scenes with Gillian Hills in a sensitive brother-sister relationship. "Hilda", "Elizabeth’s" aunt and spiritual guardian, is played by Yvonne Mitchell whose assured talents encompass all the arts as writer, stage actress-"Ivanov", "Children of the Wolf"- and films, "Yield to the Night", "Trials of Oscar Wilde", and "Velvet House" and numerous others including her prize-winning performance in Frank Godwin’s "Woman in a Dressing Gown".

STRAIGHT ON TILL MORNING (Introduction - From Pressbook)

From "Straight on Till Morning", "Brenda" (Rita
Tushingham) learns the truth about "Peter"
(Shane Briant).

Director Peter Collinson describes his new film for Hammer as a very sad love story. At the same time, STRAIGHT ON TILL MORNING is a nerve tingling exercise in suspense which builds to a climatic cliff-hanger type ending. Says Collinson: "It is a very delicate script full of pathos mixed with terror. I hope to give it a documentary flavour by having the camera observe rather than me direct."

Rita Tushingham stars in the central role of a girl who compensates for her lack of love by living in her own world of fantasy princes and romantic princesses. Her leading man is Shane Briant, the "shining white knight" who rides unexpectedly into her life. He too lives in a fantasy world. A handsome man and sexually attractive, he finds himself constantly surrounded by beautiful women, all of whom he despises and finally discards - in his own way.

Following the theme of giving the film a documentary air, Peter Collinson filmed in the actual locales described in the script. Using hidden and handheld cameras he took his crew all around London, including the famous King’s Road, Chelsea, and the Embankment outside the Festival Hall. The main location work took place in Earl’s Court, an area of the capital noted for its mildly sleazy, down-at-heel atmosphere of "bedsitters" and "Wimpy Bars".

Interior scenes were filmed on the actual premises of such places as a beauty salon, newspaper shop, an accommodation bureau and a softly lit, music engulfed women’s boutique. The remainder of the shooting was completed at EMI-MGM Studios. Says Michael Carreras, Managing Director of Hammer and Executive Producer on STRAIGHT ON TILL MORNING: "This film studies a woman in fear, a fear created when faced with the loneliness and eventual terror in the "jungle" that is life in any big city today."

J.M. BARRIE’S PETER PAN WAS INSPIRATION FOR THIS NEW MYSTERY THRILLER (From Pressbook)

It would be inaccurate and misleading to in any way compare the story of J.M. Barrie’s famous "Peter Pan" with John Peacock’s film script STRAIGHT ON TILL MORNING. However it is true that Peacock’s love for that great children’s classic was his inspiration. "The main character is called "Peter", he explains. This is intentional. He is a man whose childhood has left a fantastic impression on him and he is a "Peter Pan" in so far as he has never grown up sufficiently to cope with life without fortifying himself with his fantasies". With this as his theme, John Peacock consistently brings in analogies to "Peter Pan" to underline certain characterisations and situations.

The title itself is taken from the play. "Peter Pan" explaining to "Wendy" where he lives says: "Take the first star on the right and keep straight on till morning". And "Peter" loves "Wendy". He sees in her the same ‘mother’ that J.M. Barrie had his "Peter" see in his "Wendy". And he beseeches her not to leave him just as in the children’s play. John Peacock brings in many other analogies. Peter leads his rich lady friends upstairs to ‘never never land’. His dog is a scruffy mongrel called "Tinker". "Tinker Bell" was the good fairy in Barrie’s play. In a film of suspense and mystery with a nerve tingling ending, it would be ridiculous to suggest that the film is in any way like "Peter Pan" beyond these small but important parallels.

From "Frankenstein and the Monster From Hell", "Simon", "Sarah" and a despondent "Dr. Frankenstein".

From "Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter", the mysterious "Paul Durward" talking to unexpected visitor "Carla" (Caroline Munro).