It's flattering to make a picture which becomes a classic within 10 years; it's not so flattering, however, when people get the impression it's the only picture you've ever made.

An alcoholic who by the time of School for Scoundrels (1960) his last film as director was "often battling terrifying DT hallucinations". Robert James Hamer (31 March 1911 Kidderminster Worcestershire – 4 December 1963 London) was a British film director and screenwriter. He gained some experience as a director by substituting for colleagues and contributed the 'haunted mirror' sequence to Dead of Night (1945).

He was the son of the actor Gerald Hamer (1886-1972).