Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense Tennis Court (1984) Online

I watched Tennis Court in the summer of 1985 (I was 12) at my grandparents' summer house on a small black and white TV, and it scared the SH*T out of me. Later in life, friends my age also state this as one of the most terrifying films ever. If you think the film is mediocre, try showing it to your children (I wasn't traumatized my it, just thrillingly freaked out). It's probably rated for viewers a bit older, but a good scare is never out of place. And I'm sure more timid adults will have trouble sleeping at least if watched under the right conditions. And the film itself is interesting given the little twist (I don't think this spoils the plot) on who may actually be able to haunt somewhere. Is it only the dead?

i watch tennis court on the summer of '86.

i was 11.... It still is one of the scariest thing I've ever seen & i watch hundreds of horror movies.... it was so scary that i remember everything that had happen before i watch the movie, how i was with & how much everyone was scared...it stayed in my mind as a nightmare that always hunted you... amazing....my friend & my past away grandfather was watching it with me....my grandfather was amazed how good it was & me & my friend still talking about it....it was a shock ha ha ha... i will never forget it... scariest movie ever!!!!!!!! thing is... i cant find it nowhere so i could watch it again.... if anyone has any info where to find it... please contact me... thank you!

First viewing: September 1984 / Second viewing: October 2003

The second `Hammer House Of Mystery And Suspense' episode I ever saw was `Tennis Court'. Odd casting - Peter Graves [better known from as Captain Clarence Oveur from the `Airplane!' movies and the radiant Hannah Gordon [fresh from the heady BBC sitcom `Goodbye Mr Kent' and yet another `Upstairs Downstairs' refugee] played the leading roles. The premise was a haunted tennis court - ostensibly targeted by the restless spirit of Graves' army buddy. A couple of necessary twists never raise this tale above the ordinary. Although there are a couple of saving graces - the not-so-happy ending and the sight of Hannah Gordon in tennis shorts. 5/10

This UK TV show is really a must see in terms of terror, more than horror. Creepy at the most. And this episode makes no exception. The essential of the plot has already been told. So no more to add, except maybe the scene after the scientist has been killed by the tennis court net, and when the woman watches the death filmed by the camera put here before the event by the scientist. We see the whole scene filmed by the same camera as if it was made directly for the shooting, filmed from different angles. That's just nonsense, if you think about it.

But that doesn't annihilate the efficiency of this story. Directed by the UK specialist of crime and terror for TV: Cyril Fränkel.

Good work indeed.