Customer Reviews

Hazel Court - Horror Queen: An Autobiography

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Hazel Court was a stunning British actress. She was a red-haired beauty with a gorgeous body and charm to match. She added that touch of class and glamour to each project she participated in. As the title of the book suggests, she was mostly associated with product of the horrific kind and was probably, and unfortunately, underrated as a very fine actress. This memoir of hers comes highly recommended (especially to those of us who grew up with a huge crush on her). She is very candid and informative about her life and career. It's a quick read and loaded with lots of photos (many of them being of the pinup variety). Back in the fifties and sixties Ms. Court was among the pantheon of actresses that triggered the libidos of many young baby-boomer males. Most guys zeroed in on her ample bosom displayed in films like Roger Corman's THE RAVEN and MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH (what guy can forget her dream sequence in that film bouncing around in a diaphanous gown!?). In the introduction to this book, Ms. Court's daughter mentions the fascination her mother's boobs elicited and says they were known as 'The Hazel Courts'. Ms. Court appeared topless in the European version of Hammer Studio's 1959 Film, THE MAN WHO COULD CHEAT DEATH. The European version appears to be lost to the ages - but, Ms. Court herself includes in the book a small colour photo of herself posing naked from the waist up - thereby satisfying the curiosity of all her male admirers who longed for a peek under her blouse. This book is a must for all Hazel Court fans, Cinema buffs and anyone who enjoys a fascinating glimpse into the life of a remarkable woman.

Hazel Court documents her diverse life story, from childhood to present. This is a beautiful book with over 300 pictures including many in color. So much more than a story about a star, Hazel was a traveller, actor, sculpture and naturlist. An enchanting book.

I've loved Hazel Court since seeing her in "The Curse of Frankenstein" and "Masque of the Red Death" so it was wonderful to find her autobiography. Lots of great photos and it sounds truly written from the heart. A beautiful gracious lady and wonderful actress.

As an aside, my copy came with the whole first chapter inserted upside down but it didn't ruin my enjoyment of the book, just wondering if other copies were this way, too.

And, to Barbara Shelley: please write your book!!

I'm a fan of Hazel Court, and was glad to finally read her autobiography. The tone of the book is pleasant and friendly. Very easy to read, with some nice recollections of Hazel's private life, movies and TV appearances. Several photos are included in the book, which is not very long and can be read in a reasonably short time.

When I purchased the new book "Hammer Glamour", I saw the (much too brief) section on Hazel Court, and I remembered just how much of an asset this stunning redhead was to Hammer Studios' films in the 1950's and 1960's. She recounts her career in lively fashion, and festoons the book liberally with photos in color and B&W - including, as others have noted, a topless photo from the "lost" European version of her 1959 film "The Man Who Could Cheat Death" (released not too long ago on DVD). A lot of other British actresses may have overshadowed her with better publicity, but she's easily the equal any of a couple of dozen of them in beauty and talent. If you're a fan of classic British movies or Hammer horror, get this book!

Hazel Court's autobiography is a small but endearing reflection on her career and her life. But what a career! And what a life! Written in a relaxed, casual and intimate style she takes you from childhood to her present at the time of writing. Sadly, Court died in 2008 at 82, a year after writing these memoirs. I enjoyed her story and the photos. If at times the book seems a tribute to herself, then so be it. She deserves it. She contributed so much to popular culture as well as art culture, she was overdue a tribute. Hazel Court was a classy actress, a classy lady...a class act all the way around. Note the tributes from Vincent Price and Stephen King. If you remember Hazel Court, this is for you. Enjoy.

British actress Hazel Court has endeared herself to fans through a string of horror films she made in the '50's and '60's. Her graceful, dignified manner and voluptuous beauty were always major assets to every film she appeared in.

Here, Miss Court recounts her life story; from her English/Welsh roots to her retirement to a cottage in Bear Creek in the High Sierras. In between she recounts her stage, film and television career in a conversational style that makes for very engaging reading. She manages to pack into a brief 150 pages many interesting experiences and anecdotes of people she knew and worked with. Through it all she reveals a warmth and inner beauty as radiantly enduring as her image on the screen.

Miss Court cites Roger Corman's THE RAVEN (1963), as her favorite because she was the only actress to play opposite the three great horror icons - Boris Karloff, Vincent Price, and Peter Lorre - in the same film.

The book is lavishly illustrated with 200 photos, most of which are lovely glamour and pinup shots, and these make a strong selling point.

This is just the kind of book Hazel Court fans have been hoping for, and the nice thing is it's written by her. A fitting tribute to a beautiful actress who we come to know was an equally beautiful soul.