Hazel Court(1926-2008)

While she had a substantial acting career both in England and on American television, Court was perhaps best known for her work in such films as I maghi del terrore (1963). She co-starred with Vincent Price, Boris Karloff and Peter Lorre in a Roger Corman take on Edgar Allan Poe's classic poem. Like other "scream queens" of the era, Court's roles often relied on her cleavage and her ability to shriek in fear and die horrible deaths. Sepolto vivo (1962), La maschera della morte rossa (1964), La maschera di Frankenstein (1957) and Devil Girl from Mars (1954) helped propel her to cult status and brought her fan mail, even in her later years. Court had finished an autobiography, "Hazel Court - Horror Queen", which will be published in Britain, said her daughter, Sally Walsh.

Just in case I should pop off to heaven in the night, I always remember to wash up, punch up the cushions and straighten up after a dinner party. I wouldn't want everyone to come in and find it a mess. It's very English of me.