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Hammer Glamour: Classic Images From the Archive of Hammer Films
Over fifty years ago, with the release of The Curse of Frankenstein and Christopher Lee in Dracula , Hammer ushered in a whole new era of blood and barely restrained cleavage in glorious colour, mixing sex and horror with a style and panache that made the small British company world famous.
Bursting at the seams with rare and previously unpublished photographs from Hammer’s archive and private collections worldwide, and featuring many new interviews, Hammer Glamour is a lavish, full colour celebration of Hammer’s female stars, including Ingrid Pitt, Martine Beswick, Caroline Munro, Barbara Shelley, Joanna Lumley, Nastassja Kinski, and of course Raquel Welch (who can forget her fur bikini in One Million Years B. C. ?)
Bursting at the seams with rare and previously unpublished photographs from Hammer’s archive and private collections worldwide, and featuring many new interviews, Hammer Glamour is a lavish, full colour celebration of Hammer’s female stars, including Ingrid Pitt, Martine Beswick, Caroline Munro, Barbara Shelley, Joanna Lumley, Nastassja Kinski, and of course Raquel Welch (who can forget her fur bikini in One Million Years B. C. ?)
160 pages, Hardcover
First published September 29, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 18, 2019
This book has been part of a project I started this year of actually reading books I’ve purchased through the years for pictorial enjoyment and /or reference need. In every case so far, I’ve found that I committed a disservice regarding the quality of each of them by delaying my reading!
HAMMER GLAMOUR was a term applied to the attractive starlets who were sometimes little more than victims of the title monster in the Hammer Films, and who were promoted extensively for ornamental publicity purposes (including gracing the studio Christmas greeting cards). They were the actresses that audience members had either not seen before or knew little about, but whose onscreen presence set hearts beating a bit faster.
Marcus Hearn, who has worked with Hammer Films and co-wrote THE HAMMER STORY, provides an indispensable celebration of the women who graced these films. It is not only filled with stunning photographs, but also provides excellent overviews of the lives of these performers both with and beyond Hammer. For me, these names that only had associations with specific films I’d seen now have their backstories available ... and many had quite noteworthy achievements.
Considering Hearn’s association with Hammer Films, I was pleased to find that he doesn’t pull any punches regarding the quality of the films. For instance, there is this description of “Lust For A Vampire”:
“Hammer’s traditional elegance was stifled by an uncomfortably exploitive scenario, gratuitous nudity and an intrusive vocal number by ‘Tracy’ called ‘Strange Love.’ As Yutte’s character Mircalla works her way through the pupils and staff at a ladies’ finishing school it becomes depressingly clear how far Hammer’s standards had fallen.”
Such honesty helps to assure the book’s value.
Unlike “Lust For A Vampire,” HAMMER GLAMOUR is not exploitive. Those who purchase the book to find a generous helping of nudity and “barely there” costumes will be disappointed. Yes, there is some nudity (tastefully presented) and there is no avoiding Raquel Welch’s fur-lined bikini in “One Million Years B.C.” (which is, after all, iconic). But, the writer’s purpose is to allow the Reader to learn more about these performers. Some stories are sadly tragic (Susan Denberg and Barbara Payton). Others are inspirational (Joanna Lumley, Jacqueline Pearce and Ingrid Pitt). And every single one was worth discovering.
In past years, I’ve had the distinct pleasure of meeting Veronica Carlson, Yvonne Monlaur and Caroline Munro at different Monster Bash conventions held annually in Pennsylvania, so I’d heard many of their stories that are found in this book. For the others, though, these pages have already enhanced my enjoyment of the Hammer horror films.
HAMMER GLAMOUR was a term applied to the attractive starlets who were sometimes little more than victims of the title monster in the Hammer Films, and who were promoted extensively for ornamental publicity purposes (including gracing the studio Christmas greeting cards). They were the actresses that audience members had either not seen before or knew little about, but whose onscreen presence set hearts beating a bit faster.
Marcus Hearn, who has worked with Hammer Films and co-wrote THE HAMMER STORY, provides an indispensable celebration of the women who graced these films. It is not only filled with stunning photographs, but also provides excellent overviews of the lives of these performers both with and beyond Hammer. For me, these names that only had associations with specific films I’d seen now have their backstories available ... and many had quite noteworthy achievements.
Considering Hearn’s association with Hammer Films, I was pleased to find that he doesn’t pull any punches regarding the quality of the films. For instance, there is this description of “Lust For A Vampire”:
“Hammer’s traditional elegance was stifled by an uncomfortably exploitive scenario, gratuitous nudity and an intrusive vocal number by ‘Tracy’ called ‘Strange Love.’ As Yutte’s character Mircalla works her way through the pupils and staff at a ladies’ finishing school it becomes depressingly clear how far Hammer’s standards had fallen.”
Such honesty helps to assure the book’s value.
Unlike “Lust For A Vampire,” HAMMER GLAMOUR is not exploitive. Those who purchase the book to find a generous helping of nudity and “barely there” costumes will be disappointed. Yes, there is some nudity (tastefully presented) and there is no avoiding Raquel Welch’s fur-lined bikini in “One Million Years B.C.” (which is, after all, iconic). But, the writer’s purpose is to allow the Reader to learn more about these performers. Some stories are sadly tragic (Susan Denberg and Barbara Payton). Others are inspirational (Joanna Lumley, Jacqueline Pearce and Ingrid Pitt). And every single one was worth discovering.
In past years, I’ve had the distinct pleasure of meeting Veronica Carlson, Yvonne Monlaur and Caroline Munro at different Monster Bash conventions held annually in Pennsylvania, so I’d heard many of their stories that are found in this book. For the others, though, these pages have already enhanced my enjoyment of the Hammer horror films.
November 10, 2025
The pictures are wonderful (even if the lack of photos of Valerie Leon’s slay nightdress from Blood on the Mummy’s Tomb seems like an obvious omission). The accompanying biographies are also interesting—I’m not sure if anyone other than me is going to be excited to learn that the daughter of the guy who wrote The Macra Terror appeared in Twins of Evil, but I appreciated the trivia. Also interesting to see Hammer’s recurring and not entirely successful attempts to find their own version of Brigitte Bardot; she really had a chokehold on popular culture.
There are also plenty of fun anecdotes, including one from Madeline Smith where she claims to have been completely unaware of the concept of lesbianism while filming racy scenes with Ingrid Pitt in The Vampire Lovers: “I didn’t know what a lesbian was and I had no idea what was supposed to be happening on that bed,” she claims, somewhat bizarrely. Truly a different time. Elsewhere, no one seems to have a bad word to say about Peter Cushing, which is nice.
If there’s one area where the book struggles it’s in reconciling the sometimes tragic life stories of Hammer’s female stars with the glamorous photos that it’s keen to present, but this incongruity isn’t fatal. Visually speaking, there’s plenty to enjoy here, but there’s also enough behind the scenes production information to make Hammer Glamour feel educational as well as titillating. 3.5 stars—no book with that photo of Yutte Stensgaard on the inner cover can score lower than that.
There are also plenty of fun anecdotes, including one from Madeline Smith where she claims to have been completely unaware of the concept of lesbianism while filming racy scenes with Ingrid Pitt in The Vampire Lovers: “I didn’t know what a lesbian was and I had no idea what was supposed to be happening on that bed,” she claims, somewhat bizarrely. Truly a different time. Elsewhere, no one seems to have a bad word to say about Peter Cushing, which is nice.
If there’s one area where the book struggles it’s in reconciling the sometimes tragic life stories of Hammer’s female stars with the glamorous photos that it’s keen to present, but this incongruity isn’t fatal. Visually speaking, there’s plenty to enjoy here, but there’s also enough behind the scenes production information to make Hammer Glamour feel educational as well as titillating. 3.5 stars—no book with that photo of Yutte Stensgaard on the inner cover can score lower than that.
August 4, 2018
A fun return to my early childhood crushes from the 1960s and 1970, that starred or were featured in my favorite horror movies of that era; Notably Rachael Welch, Ursula Andress and Ingrid Pitt. Each entry of the actresses was brief, but insightful, with fun backstage stories and trivia. Hammer Films rocked during this period and fed my imagination.
August 25, 2025
Great images and a well-researched book giving an insight into the lives (and early retirements!!) of so many iconic stars of Hammer, and plenty who I didn't know about. Marcus Hearn is one of my favourite writers in this research-genre.
July 4, 2013
The presence of sexy actresses, in and out of lavish costumes, was one of the factors which made the films produced by Hammer so appealing to many fans like myself. Marcus Hearn has done a marvellous job of paying tribute to the glamourous women of Hammer by selecting 50 of them and giving some information about their lives and how they felt about their experiences as Hammer stars or Hammer window dressing as the case may be. We also get a glimpse into the attitudes of the Hammer executives who were always searching for their next piece of chiller cheesecake.
But the big attraction here, of course, is the photos, most of which are publicity glamour photos, though there are also some film stills. These are fine examples of the art of pin-up photography ranging from modest shots of fifties stars showing lots of leg to seventies scream queens showing pretty much everything. This is a great coffee table book and one which will make you want to revisit the Hammer classics and also maybe some of the non-classics, like the hottie-heavy Slave Girls.
But the big attraction here, of course, is the photos, most of which are publicity glamour photos, though there are also some film stills. These are fine examples of the art of pin-up photography ranging from modest shots of fifties stars showing lots of leg to seventies scream queens showing pretty much everything. This is a great coffee table book and one which will make you want to revisit the Hammer classics and also maybe some of the non-classics, like the hottie-heavy Slave Girls.
January 26, 2025
This book is wonderful collection with beautiful pictures full of original information about Hammer and its actresses. Hammer fans will not be disappointed. However there are two things that bothered me.
First, I do not understand the author speaks negatively about the movies or scenes where nudity is exploited. If felt that way, he should not have made a on the erotic aspects of Hammer Films. I see a bit of hypocrisy here.
Secondly I was very surprised to find that Kirsten Betts, one of the most striking female icons of Hammer, is not even mentioned this book. Everyone remembers the incredible scene in Vampire Lovers where this beautiful female vampire tries to bite the and he beheads her with a blade. This is one of the's iconic images.
First, I do not understand the author speaks negatively about the movies or scenes where nudity is exploited. If felt that way, he should not have made a on the erotic aspects of Hammer Films. I see a bit of hypocrisy here.
Secondly I was very surprised to find that Kirsten Betts, one of the most striking female icons of Hammer, is not even mentioned this book. Everyone remembers the incredible scene in Vampire Lovers where this beautiful female vampire tries to bite the and he beheads her with a blade. This is one of the's iconic images.
December 21, 2014
This does exactly what the title promises. Its an encyclopaedia of the women of Hammer films with some truly gorgeous stills. My only moan is that some of the entries aren't long enough - at the back we get 'also starring' where some of the minor actresses only get a paragraph and a small picture - amongst those are Melissa Stribling and Dawn Adams, whom I would have loved to have seen get more coverage.
Still this is a beautiful book and a worthy addition to any Hammer collection. One of my favourites.
Still this is a beautiful book and a worthy addition to any Hammer collection. One of my favourites.
November 16, 2009
Awesome. Hearn profiles 50 of the main female players in Hammer film history in this huge, gorgeous book packed with tons of stills, poster art, and images from the films. My only complaint-- and I realize this was more my expectation and not really part of the scope of the book-- is that there's no real info on the costume and makeup designers who helped create the amazing wardrobes and looks for the actresses.
September 13, 2011
There have been many books written about the male leads of Hammer films. This one finally gives the girls their due. Beautiful stills and behind the scenes shots add the glamour, but it's the interviews and biographies that give the book heart. If you are a Hammer fan, and have a soft spot for the smart girl hiding behind that bombshell persona you should pick this up.
August 25, 2014
Hammer wasn't only known for it's (for the time) gruesome Horror films. It was also known for the beautiful women who inhabited them. This is a tremendous reference book, covering every Hammer starlet who was in their films. Filled with beautiful pictures, and interesting information, this is a must for the Hammer fan.
August 8, 2012
Excellent treatise! My only qualm is about the brevity of each entry...
July 25, 2016
Wonderful big volume with beautiful photos of the leading ladies .
April 7, 2025
Brings back the good old days of hammer films and their impact on cinema everywhere.
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May 5, 2017Excellent book, great photography
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews