Hazel Court was one of a number of actresses wasted by post-war British cinema in bland, unrewarding roles. Unlike most of her contemporaries she had the chance to show what she could do, first in Hammer Horror and then in Roger Corman's B-movies. Before her death last year she wrote her autobiography.
The prose is at the level of a 50s fan magazine. Hazel had a wonderful time doing everything and doesn't have an unkind word to say about anyone. This should be deeply irritating, but actually leaves the reader with the impression that she was far too classy and happy to bitch about any old grievances.
If the prose is a little bland, it's more than compensated by the pictures. The book is lavishly illustrated by photos from every stage of Hazel's life reminding us what a very beautiful woman she was. Virtually every page has a picture, some in colour, and even includes a shot of her topless in The Man Who Could Cheat Death.
Hazel died on the eve of the publication of this book. It's a shame we didn't get to see her doing publicity for this because she comes across as a very entertaining lady.
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Pub: Tomahawk Press ISBN: 978-0-9531926-8-7 Price: £12.99 (UK), $25.00 (US) Hazel Court Horror Queen: available at Amazon UK
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