Sir James Carreras KCVO MBE | |
|---|---|
| Born | James Enrique Carreras 30 January 1909 London, England |
| Died | 9 June 1990 (aged 81) Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1934–1980 |
| Known for | Hammer Film Productions |
| Family | Michael Carreras (son) (daughter) Caroline Carreras born 5.2.63 |
Sir James Enrique Carreras KCVO MBE (30 January 1909[1] – 9 June 1990) was a British film producer and executive who, together with William Hinds, founded the British company Hammer Film Productions. His career spanned nearly 45 years, in multiple facets of the entertainment industry until retiring in 1972.
Carreras managed the Oxford cinema Manchester before entering the distribution side of the film industry in 1934, when he joined Exclusive Films, formed by his father Enrique and William Hinds.[1] During World War II, Carreras saw combat and rose to Lieutenant-Colonel.[1] In 1946, he returned as managing director of Exclusive Films, where he co-produced Who Killed Van Loon? (1947).
From 1949 to 1980, he was chairman of Hammer Film Productions. He oversaw the growth of the privately owned firm into a successful film company.[1]
In 1944, he received an MBE. He was knighted in 1970. He was appointed a KCVO in the 1980 New Years Honours. His son was the film director and producer Michael Carreras.[1] He died in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.[2]