Hazel Court:  Film and TV Episode Details

This page is divided into two sections: Film and TV.  Titles within each section are in alphabetical order.  Cast and credits have been compiled from a number of sources.  Synopsis, reviews, or remarks other than my own are credited either within the text or in brackets at the end of the text.

Where known, the name of the character played by Miss Court is indicated in parentheses following her name.  If you don't care to scroll this entire page, direct access to the individual film and TV titles may be had by following the links on the main Hazel Court page.

Most of the images are "active."  Just click on them to see a larger version.  Additional details, images, and sounds will be included as circumstances permit.

Julia is getting married and the film portrays four separate stories connected only by items in her trousseau bought in London's Bond Street.

Story of a Victorian ballet dancer trying to keep her virginity safe from an insufferable cad by marrying another man.  One source describes it as an "extremely dour Gainsborough melodrama, which audiences disliked as much as the critics."

Leonard Maltin describes this film as a splendid evocation of British music halls of the 1860's and their robust entertainers that simply hasn't got enough story to last 107 minutes.  Apparently young Hazel only has one line.  This film is not available on video.

This first in the long series of fright films from England's Hammer Studios started a new, more graphic trend in horror.  Peter Cushing stars as the scientist whose obsession with creating life culminates with grotesque monster Christopher Lee.  Campbell Dixon's review in The Daily Telegraph was typical: "When the screen gives us severed heads, eyeballs dropped in a wine glass and magnified, and brains dished up like spaghetti, I can only suggest a new certificate - 'S.O.' perhaps, for Sadists Only."  Leonard Maltin gives it a two and a half star rating.

The British movie magazine "Picturegoer" was a good bit more generous, declaring in its June 1, 1957 issue:

Hazel Court, the beauty among the beasts in "The Curse Of Frankenstein," is making other glamour girls turn green--with envy.  Hers will be the most widely screened British face in America this year. . . . tipped to be shown in more U.S. cinemas than any British film ever . . . Not bad going for the girl whom British studios forgot.

Top notch British horror.  In color, too.  People are mysteriously disappearing near a lonely Welsh village where a mad doctor conducts weird experiments with life and death in an underground cave.  A stylish film reminiscent of the Hammer horror films of the same time period.  The dead return to life in a very gruesome climax. [Sinister Cinema]

This 92-minute color film is available on video.

A British crime yarn, with twists and turns, about a jealous businessman who approaches his wife's lawyer lover with an offer: find a loophole in the "perfect" murder plot he has concocted and his life will be spared.

This inferior British retread of THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL takes place at a small Scottish inn where a stereotypical barmaid (Corri), reporter (McDermott), disillusioned model (Court), scientist (Tomelty), and escaped murderer (Reynolds) are visited by Laffan, a sexy, leather-clad female Martian accompanied by her silly-looking robot.  She announces to the shocked bar patrons that Mars has just had a revolution and women have taken over.  She says that she has come to Earth to kidnap healthy men to take back to Mars for breeding purposes.  The men refuse, but Reynolds goes along with Laffan in her spaceship and manages to blow it up, sacrificing his life so that poor Earthmen won't have to breed with leather-clad Martian women.  This goofy but fun sci-fi opus has gained a cult following in the US. [TV Guide]

Movie reference books commonly report that Miss Court played the title role in this film, but this is not correct.  For example, Danny Peary's "Cult Movie Stars" states: "For her campiest role, a lead, go back to 1955 when she played a sexy, big-breasted alien who is on the procreation prowl in Devil Girl from Mars".  Well, two out of three ain't bad for a media reference book.  The black and white clip above clearly shows Miss Court standing next to Patricia Laffan as "The Devil Girl."  Also click on the colorful (and rare) lobby card for a larger view.  This 76-minute classic low-budget film is available on video.

The popular British comedy duo of Bud Flanagan and Chesney Allen (I really should have a separate page about these remarkable performers) star in this farce about a soldier who is knocked unconscious and dreams of attending the races at Ascot, fighting in Africa and Germany, and visiting the Stage Door Canteen.  Our young Hazel and Dick Francis co-star in this Ealing Studios effort.  This 78-minute film (catalog #09-5014) may be bought for $19.99.  Call toll free 1-800-4-MOVIES

This is the third entry in the "Omen" series.  Damien Thorn, the Antichrist, is now a grown man about to become US Ambassador to England.  Just as he is about to conquer the world in the name of his satanic father he discovers that a Divine child has been born at the exact moment that three stars clustered together.  Furious, he orders his henchmen to murder every baby born on that day.  A group of monks determine to defeat the Hellspawn in the ultimate showdown between Good and Evil.

Hazel Court's brief, uncredited appearance came about as a favor to producer Harvey Bernhard.    Apparently, she just happened to be on vacation in the Cornwall area of England, when the film was being shot.  A reader of this page reports that Miss Court "appears past the half way point in the film [about at the 54 minute mark].  She is seen at a hunt club, serving champagne to the equestrians who are riding to hounds."  A regular reader of this page was kind enough to furnish four frames that may be seen by clicking the small, blurry, image above.  After a break of some 17 years, here we have our grand lady in her last feature film appearance.

This 108-minute color film is available on video.

The is a documentary film, first shown on British TV in 1994, featuring interviews and films clips of stars who once appeared in Hammer films.  This was the last project that Peter Cushing completed before his death in 1994.  He and Christopher Lee are heard in the off-camera narration and seen only in film clips.

Miss Court also appeared in several other Hammer Film retrospective documentaries in 1996, as well as in the 2000 documentary "I Used To Be In Pictures."

A young couple falls victim to ghostly apparitions when they move into an old haunted yacht.  The film is quite educational in one respect--you might wish to make a note for future reference that the odor of a ghost resembles that of "cigar smoke."  This average-rated 69-minute yarn is available on video.  In case you didn't hear it on the main page, this is the film in which Miss Court playfully sings the Popeye theme.  [4 seconds -- 49K]

The film takes place at a British summer resort, where various character types interact, including a murderer on the loose.  Leonard Maltin calls it a two and a half star film and describes it as a "pleasant account of life and love at British summer resort."  Be sure to click the image for a scene featuring a terrific looking lady.

Plot involves the murder of a newspaper columnist.  His reporter colleague investigates the case, but things take a turn for the curious when he begins to suspect that his own wife may be the killer.  Rated as average by those who have seen it.  This 81-minute, black and white film is available on video.

I can't be objective about this one.  Based on the play (and remake of the 1944 film) "The Man In Half Moon Street," this Technicolor "Hammer" feature is at the top of my list of classic Hazel Court films.  Most reviewers regard it as only so-so.

The film is seemingly, however, slowly growing in regard.  In early editions of Leonard Maltin's "TV Movies," it garners a two star rating and Maltin describes it as a "turgid remake ... about man trying to rekindle romance with former girlfriend."  By 1991, the rating had ballooned to two and a half stars and is described as an "OK remake ...about sculptor with somewhat messy method of retarding the aging process."

Inexplicably, this 83-minute film does not appear to be available on video tape.  Not available, that is, unless someone (*ahem*) has taped it off the air.  Click the little image for additional cogent commentary and a gallery of lovely color shots taken from the climax to this definitive Hazel Court thriller.

I have almost no information about this obscure film that Hazel made during a time which was right in the middle of her appearances in the "Hammer" horror pictures.  I do have the one-sheet poster on which Miss Court is given second billing, though not shown.  Described as "The Picture That Gets To The Bottom Of Things!" the plot does not (as the title might suggest) have anything to do with lambs, but rather a young girl who, literally, has a tail.

This is perhaps the best known of all the films in which our lady appears.  It is well regarded by Leonard Maltin, who rates it as three and half stars and has described it as "the most Bergman-like of Corman's films, an ultra stylish adaptation of the Poe tale....Beautifully photographed in England by Nicolas Roeg."

The plot involves the ever popular theme of the evil prince and castle master who torments his subjects while those in the surrounding countryside are expiring from the plague.  Miss Court provides ample decorative relief to otherwise disturbing elements.

The following remarks are from "The Best Horror Films" site, which is well worth the visit:

While thousands die outside, a lavish masquerade is held complete with music and costume.  Prospero notices an odd character and when confronted the red stranger reveals a most frightening form as his followers fall to the deadly plaque.  Roger Corman made good use of the standing set from Becket to produce this film in a mere six weeks.  The production values are top notch and acting is quite good for its budget, especially Price.  As with many of his Poe productions this film actually combines a number of Poe stories (Hop Frog, Red Death) and with this film Corman would deliver his best of the Edgar Allen Poe series.  Acting nods to Hazel Court who almost upstages Price. A recommended delight!

This 88-minute color film is readily available on video tape.

Set in Paris at the beginning of the 20th century, this romantic comedy (aka "The Gay Duellist") concerns a professional duellist who is hired by politicians to insult, then challenge, a prominent senator.  The duellist eventually falls in love with a woman he's been chosen to start trouble with--and whose father owns the local newspaper.

The story involves an American in England who, while seeking his late brother's girlfriend, becomes involved in a jewel robbery.  This 75-minute film, given a two star rating by Leonard Maltin, is not available on video.

Howes is an innocent young woman who goes to a small town and becomes the scenic designer for the local theater company.  Walsh is an actor vying for Howes' affections.  When the theater owner is found dead by gas poisoning, the search is on for a motive.  Eventually, it is discovered that her late husband fathered her sister's daughter.  Huh?  I've not seen this one, but a review that pans the film says that this is the plot.

A body is found in the flat of Hazel's boss, Dave Nelson, staff writer at "True Crime Magazine."  Every effort to prove his innocence is met by a mysterious obstacle.  Those who can confirm his alibi keep turning up dead.  The loyal Miss Court tags along to lend moral support.  Actually, it's not a bad movie considering it isn't even listed in most TV movie books.  Incidentally, the line that accompanies the image shown here?  "I don't usually go to the office in my dressing gown."

Another in the series of Edgar Allen Poe adaptations by director Corman, in which the worst fears of a cataleptic Englishman are realized when he is buried alive.  Our poor victim manages to escape and seeks revenge on his greedy wife played by the lovely Miss Court. [Hey, nobody's perfect].  This 81-minute film is available on video and has been described by Miss Court as one of her favorites.

The Raven features a great cast in a great fun movie.  The whole thing is a campy mix of thrills, chills, special effects and laughs, thrown together with a mostly missing plot somehow based on the Edgar Allen Poe poem.  Everyone hams it up to great effect, particularly Lorre.

You'll love the young Jack Nicholson and our Miss Court has never been more delicious, as the color shots on the connected page will attest.  Director Corman finished a few days ahead of schedule, so with Karloff still under contract and Nicholson on hand, he quickly threw together another film, "The Terror," while the sets of "The Raven" were being torn down.  The Terror, a "dog" by some critics estimation, is something of a minor masterpiece considering the budget and time permitted.

Leonard Maltin reports that this is a "lackluster account of a shakedown racket involving a photography school of nudes."  Sounds OK to me but, apparently, the script is not worthy of the cast.  Cuties in abbreviated outfits which appear on the one-sheet poster do not (*sigh*) include our gal.  Click on the little image and see Hazel being led away by police in the last scene of the film.

Whatever else you can say about this film, Miss Court was certainly at the height of her prowess.  Note, the autographed publicity still from the film, which resides in the custody of an anonymous collector.

I have little info on this film, but a great foreign language poster!  Click the little image for a larger view.

A comedy/adventure series that ran on CBS during the 1957-58 season. 

Dick Starrett was an American living in London and married to Jane, an English duchess.  He often found himself in perplexing situations with members of Jane's upper-crust family, who were less than enchanted with her marriage.  Dick was employed as an insurance investigator, and to complicate matters, Jan frequently managed to get herself involved in his claims investigations, trying to help but only causing problems.  ["The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows" by Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh]

Four years after this episode was broadcast, Mr. Taylor and Miss Court became husband and wife.

"Arthur," the owner of a chicken farm, is embittered after he is jilted by Helen.  A year later, she leaves her new husband and returns to Arthur and is killed by him.  No trace can be found of the body and the police do not seem to be suspicious of the large grinding machine that Arthur uses to manufacture chicken feed.  Click on the little image to see the evil Hazel being choked to death.

Don't pass up a chance to see this episode.  Not only is it classic Hitchcock, but Miss Court has never been lovelier.  "Charlotte" agrees to marry Howard Rutherford, her wealthy employer, who, at age 65, says he has only about a year to live, after which she will inherit $11 million and be free to marry her boyfriend.  Rutherford gives her a single pearl on the occasion of their first wedding anniversary.  Boyfriend Cassidy waits in the wings, but trouble is the old goat won't cooperate.  Suffice it to say that enough other anniversary pearls follow to give meaning to the title of this episode.  And, of course, there is the sort of ending that you have come to expect from the master.

The three pictures show Rutherford's proposal (with his hand on our gal's thigh), her bemused contemplation thereof, and the virtuous damsel's reaction to her boyfriend's agreement to the arrangement.

Hazel and her husband are abducted by the bad guys, with Adam Cartwright in tow.  All's well that ends well as our gal just escapes having her throat cut and seemingly lives happily ever after.

Drake goes undercover to discover the source of cocaine that is being sent to New York.

Drake is assigned to impersonate a kidnapped girl's father in order to save her life.

This highly acclaimed series originated in Great Britain in the early 60's.  Each 60 minute show presented it's own guest stars.   Some listings mistakenly indicate that this program is a theatrical film title.  I have seen a VHS tape offered by an online dealer.

There is some confusion about this entry.  Some sources list Hazel Court as having appeared in the movie "Breakout."  However, I have it on reliable authority that she does not seem to have actually been in that 1959 film, also known as "Danger Within."  Other sources mention the "Breakout" episode of Kraft Mystery Theatre.  I am making the leap that the 62 minute "Breakout" mentioned in Dennis Gifford's book "The British Film Catalog" is the same film that turned up as an episode of this series.

Mannix claims to have seen a "redhead" being strangled on a rooftop patio.  Highrise apartment dwellers, the very British Mr. and Mrs. Montford from the Bahamas, deny any knowledge of foul play.  As usual the police won't believe any of Joe's suspicions.  He finally sorts things out, but not before an inconvenient niece shows up, gets bound and gagged and, when her uncle hesitates to smother her with a pillow, hears the villainess Hazel admonish "Go ahead, kill her.  Do you want me to do it for you?"

Good Morning, Mr. Phelps.  The man you're looking at is Erik Hagar who for years has collected vast sums of money supposedly for charity, most of which he keeps for himself.  He steals from the sick, the hungry, the destitute.  Hagar's partner in these despicable activities is his wife, Catherine.  The latest fraud of the Hagars is the collection of one million dollars which is supposed to build a new hospital wing.  To get this money, the Hagars have invited a group of millionaires to spend the weekend on the estate in Montaigne on the French-Italian Border.  The mission, should you decide to accept it, is to recover the millions which Hagar and his wife have stolen from the needy, and put a stop to their charity racket for good.  As always, should you or any of your IM Force be caught or killed, the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions.  This recording will self-destruct in ten seconds.  Good luck, Jim.

This episode is from the second season of the series, first airing on November 12, 1967.  Can Miss Court possibly play a villainess?  The answer is "Yes," something she did a number of times in her later television career.  The MI team manages to turn the Hagars against each other and save the day, as usual.  There's a great climax when Hazel, having been wooed away from her husband by the suave "Dr. Cornell" only to be duped, exclaims to him: "I believed you."  "Those little blind children believed you," says Jim.

Your system has sound?  Want to hear them for yourself?  Be my guest.  [10 seconds -- 108K]

Wow!  Look at that guest cast!  Plot involves the death of wealthy Basil Fletcher and all the usual suspects.  Among them is our gal Hazel.  Snoopy Crime magazine editor Franciosa first encounters Miss Playfair in her San Francisco office which is decorated with a large array of collectible dolls and toys.

Now talk about your collectibles.  This episode features of painting of "Miss Playfair" seen here with Tony Franciosa.  Does it still exist?  Why isn't it hanging on my wall?  Questions, questions.  Life is an endless string of questions.

The setting is World War II, and a sadistic air force colonel takes great pride in attacking and killing the enemy regardless of the outcome of the men who fly under him.  Then he meets a cowardly lieutenant who's afraid to fly.  A live kinescope version of this 1958 program is available from Shokus Video.

Miss Court says this was one of her favorite roles:  "I played a beautiful pathological liar who fooled everyone.  I really enjoyed working with Edmund.  There was a court scene where he jumps up on a chair and recites Shakespeare.  He had the whole cast in awe.  He was truly wonderful."

Our gal is married to a brilliant pianist, haunted by the suspicion that his presumably dead rival may not be so dead after all.  Amidst the creepy goings on, the lovely Miss Court (in the words of the video box notes) "is assaulted in her sleep and nearly choked by powerful, unseen fingers."  This one is available on video tape for $12.98 and worth the price.

Savage faces criticism when he court-martials a pilot who broke formation to help a friend.

This episode is from the fifth and final season of the series.  Everything is relative in this story about an unhinged woman and a state trooper who sights a giant alien in a California park.  Assuming the link is still active, there is a nice selection of other photos from this episode elsewhere on the web.

Another in the popular series which featured two frontier government underground intelligence agents, in the 1870s, who incorporated ingenious scientific weapons to battle diabolical villains.

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