Greasepaint and Gore: The Hammer Monsters of Roy Ashton [Paperback]

Bruce Sachs (Author), Russell Wall (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1999

When you hear the words "Hammer Films", you instantly conjure up mental images of monsters and vampires. Behind the scenes was one man working flat out to produce those wonderful creatures. That man was Roy Ashton, and it was he who created all of the make-up effects for mummies, werewolves and Gothic horrors. Greasepaint and Gore takes a look into the props wardrobe and make up unit where Ashton, long before computer technology existed, created his own high standards of magical illusions. With an introduction from the late Peter Cushing OBE, who had the opportunity to watch Roy Ashton at work countless times (after all make-up can also make you look glamorous as well as horrific), this is a demonstration of a true professional at work. Greasepaint and Gore catalogues the largest single collection of Hammer production artefacts in existence, and is a must have for any horror. or indeed any film fan!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sachs and Wall had exclusive access to Ashton's documents. Bruce Sachs is the owner of Tomahawk Press.

Product Details

• Paperback: 167 pages
• Publisher: Tomahawk Press (September 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0953192601
• ISBN-13: 978-0953192601
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,058,692 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great contribution to Hammer history, August 11, 2005

By 

www.DavidLRattigan.com (United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Greasepaint and Gore: The Hammer Monsters of Roy Ashton (Paperback)

It warms my heart to see there are people out there researching and preserving the history of those cultural heroes whose work often goes unsung. This book is a mine of information on Roy Ashton, the make-up artist responsible for creating most of Hammer's most memorable monsters in the '50s through '70s, including the Mummy, the Werewolf (in Curse of the Werewolf) and the Reptile. The amount of previously unseen material, including photos, original designs and technical and biographical facts, is astounding. Good job, boys!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Modern Masterpeice., January 12, 2000

By 

Alex Clarke. (Sheffield,England.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Greasepaint and Gore: The Hammer Monsters of Roy Ashton (Paperback)

Greasepaint& Gore.What a wonderful title for a truly epic book,which has information that no true fan of the genre of horror,can afford to miss.Messers Sachs & Wall,are to be heartily congratulated on what is definately a modern masterpeice.Every aspect of Roy Ashton's make-up expertease,is covered in detail,including a very great number of props are shown. Don't waste time,buy a copy,you'll be glad you did.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fans of Makeup, Hammer & Horror, could find no better read!, January 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Greasepaint and Gore: The Hammer Monsters of Roy Ashton (Paperback)

Fans of Make-up, Hammer Films, or the film industry in general could find no more entertaining read. As an insight to a time and place, this book is fascinating. I learned so much about the moviemaking at Hammer, and in England in the 1930's through 60's. As a make-up artist myself, I was intrigued to hear so many stories that resonate with my own, more current, experiences. My only real complaint is that the book contains very little in the way of detailed explanatiuons of how Mr. Ashton created his make-ups or products used. However, I understand that is not the intent of the book. It does achieve it's goals very well and belongs on the bookshelves of any true fan!