Amanda Norman
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RIP Hammer Queen Ingrid Pitt
I’m really saddened about the loss of Hammer Horror actress Ingrid Pitt who has died today at the age of 73.
The Hammer Horror films she starred in, Countess Dracula, The Vampire Lovers are among my all-time favourites and I was lucky enough once to interview Ingrid a few years ago for a vampire site that I used to run. I emailed Ingrid and asked if she would agree to be interviewed via email and I didn’t expect the response I got.
She talked in-depth about Countess Dracula, her trip to Romania and of course Hammer Horror and she had a lovely warm sense of humour.
She even signed the photograph pictured here and I have it together with a signed copy of the script for Countess Dracula.
We should never forget Ingrid! She’s a true star and was a worthy ambassador of Hammer Horror.
The Hammer Story and Quatermass II
The Hammer Story is the authorised history of Hammer Films and it’s a stunning book and simply a MUST HAVE for any serious Hammer Horror film fan.
I received my copy for my Birthday and I’ve only just began reading it, but the print quality, information and the photographs are of excellent quality.
The book has a foreword by the wonderful Christopher Lee and after an introduction on how Hammer evolved, we’re presented with each of the films Hammer produced with nothing spared.
It’s my intention to watch all of the Hammer films and the book starts with The Quatermass Experiment released in 1955, then X The Unknown, which was once considered as a legitimate sequel to The Quatermass Experiment, but the writer Nigel Kneale turned down Jimmy Sangster’s and Anthony Hinds suggestion of using their character Professor Quatermass. The book also reveals how Hammer wanted to capitalise on the X rated certificate following the success of The Quatermass Experiment.
I haven’t seen these first two movies, but I did watch the third movie listed, Quatermass 2 and much to my surprise as I’m not a fan of sci-fi and aliens, I quite enjoyed the film although I was disappointed that Professor Quatermass didn’t 
suffer a violent death. The way he spoke to his secretary was I suppose typical for the 1950’s, but if a pompous arrogant idiot spoke to me like that, he’d be leaving the room like a scared dog with its tail between its legs. Who did he think he was?
As you can see, that has wound me up and I have no sympathy whatsoever for the character of Professor Quatermass. The only person I felt sorry for was Sid James (Carry on films) who played a drunken reporter and his acting skills were the best in this film.
The Hammer Story reveals how Brian Donlevy who played Professor Quatermass was drunk for most of the filming and how they tried to protect his wig from being blown off his head, but they didn’t succeed and at one point it blew off and floated in the wind like a bat. Oh how I would have laughed to have seen that.
The next film listed in the book is The Curse of Frankenstein and as soon as I’ve watched it, I’ll be back with another post to promote this beautiful book. To buy the book click here.
Christopher Lee Desire
‘Amanda, we are granting you permission to take a horror portrait of your most favourite person, but you only have one choice. Who will you choose?’
If someone approached me with the above question, I would have no hesitation in choosing Christopher Lee.
It would be an absolute dream come true to meet him and take his portrait.
Best Dracula
Christopher Lee is without doubt my favourite Dracula actor. His interpretation of Dracula was dark, mysterious and erotic. He sent shivers down my spine every time he seduced the buxom Hammer scream queens with their see through flimsy gowns and he and Hammer Horror are responsible for my love of vampires today.
In most Hammer films, Lee hardly spoke. His stare with those bloodshot eyes, his tall masculine physique in that long black cape was enough to scare most impressionable teenagers like myself, yet, I couldn’t help fantasising about waking up to Dracula being stood at the bottom of my bed and silently overpowering my will.
I wonder how many men fantasised about being Dracula based on Lee’s performance?
It would be my honour to take his portrait and immortalise him in my ‘Dark Portrait’ gallery.
Fan Spot: Marixa Lilith
Fan Spot is a brand new feature that provides fans the opportunity to receive their favourite photograph in return for telling us why they like it so much.
Kicking off this feature is the lovely Marixa Lilith.
Allright, finally I made up my mind about my very favorite photograph. It was hard as there are so many I like especially at the Cemetery Photography section.
I picked one of the shots taken in St Peter’s Churchyard called Fairies Grave, because it looks so mysterious, so antique and also neglected, like it is located at the darkest spot of the cemetery.
The main reason why this photograph touched me so much is because it reminds me of the classic vampire Hammer Horror films and it reminds me particularly of one scene that takes place in ‘Taste the Blood of Dracula’ with Christopher Lee, and they show all the dusty, old and neglected graves in this creepy and magnificent cemetery. This photograph also gives me the feeling that it was taken a long time ago, like in another century even if its not and it captures all the vampiric beauty of the classic horror.
Fairies Grave
Thanks to Marixa for the above feedback, which is fantastic as Hammer Horror is clearly one of my inspirations. The grave above is in fact a neglected grave that is situated at the very back of an old English churchyard under the trees. Next time I’m there, I will check the date on the headstone to see how old it is.
If you would like the chance to appear on Fan Spot and receive a digital copy of your favourite photograph from my gallery, all you have to do is tell me which photograph you like and why. Contact me here.