The torque method of measuring the magnetic properties of thin superconducting layers is discussed, and some results reported for experiments in which magnetic fields are applied parallel and perpendicular to the plane of evaporated films of tin, indium and indium-tin alloy. For the parallel case critical fields and supercooling fields can be measured. For the perpendicular case magnetization curves can be derived from the torque curves. The magnetization curves have been studied in some detail and comparison made with the properties of bulk type 2 superconductors.