Dark Entries: ‘Hammer Glamour’ Review

The Gothic goddesses of Hammer Film Productions are some of the most remembered scream queens and villainous vixens in horror film history. These ladies are a true international delight–gorgeous women from countries the world over that all contributed to the success of Hammer’s reign from the 1950’s to the 1970’s. Aside from horror greats Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing, the women of Hammer are some of the most iconic figures in the films they helped make legendary.

Titan Books’ Hammer Glamour celebrates the sensual ladies of the era with an impressive and attractive hardcover, perfect for any fan. The book contains informative biographies and tons of sexy full-color photographs that will leave you weak at the knees. Writer Marcus Hearn highlights the most memorable film moments and behind the scenes stories for 50 starlets who range from popular to the most obscure. If you’ve ever wondered what happened to your favorite actress, then look no further. Hearn has the skinny on all the juicy details which sometimes reads like a pulp novel. Some curious tidbits featured in the book include:

–Hammer often cast their films from the pages of Playboy magazine. Mary and Madeleine Collinson were cast in Twins of Evil because they had been Playboy’s first twin centerfolds.

–Several Hammer Glamour starlets had difficulty coping when their careers declined: Susan Denberg (Frankenstein Created Woman) was committed to an asylum, Barbara Payton (Four Sided Triangle) became a prostitute and died of alcohol addiction, Carol White (Slave Girls) similarly died tragically young and Eunice Gayson was arrested for shoplifting.

–Girls were often paid extra, in cash, to take their clothes off for certain scenes which only appeared in alternative versions of films distributed in Europe and the Far East.

–Hammer promoted Ursula Andress as ‘The World’s Most Beautiful Woman’.

Feast your eyes upon saucy seductresses like Julie Edge (Creatures the World Forgot), Caroline Munro (Dracula A.D 1972) and Yutte Stensgaard (Lust for a Vampire) and relive your favorite Hammer memories. Those new to the film studio’s work will still find an appreciation for Hammer Glamour as an excellent addition to their pin-up photography, horror film or vintage-everything library. Stylish and decadent–Hammer Glamour is the perfect coffee table book to make all the girls jealous and all the boys want to stay at your house just a little bit longer.

Purchase the book here.

Image: Titan Books