The Avengers Forever: Imogen Hassall

	Guest Actor Biography Page 49 of 127

Imogen Hassall

Anjali, Escape in Time

by Pete Stampede

Imogen Hassall was the Elizabeth Hurley of her time, more famous for attending premieres and being photographed in varying states of undress than for actually acting. Her popular nickname, "The Countess of Cleavage" bears testament to this. She was born 25 August 1942, the daughter of a noted composer. She had a spell at the Royal Shakespeare Company, but was more suited to minor "international" films like the silly Western El Condor (1970), the confused horror Incense for the Damned aka Bloodsuckers (1972, with Patrick Macnee), in which she was a vampiress and When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth (1970), one of Hammer's best-forgotten dinosaur flicks.

In those politically incorrect days, she again played an Indian in The Saint, "The People Importers" (1968); she had a key role in The Persuaders pilot, "Overture," written by Brian Clemens, but was dubbed by another actress. Imogen also featured in the limp James Bond spoof, No. 1 - Licensed to Love and Kill, which starred Gareth Hunt. Never a star in her own right, to her great frustration, she committed suicide on 16 November 1980. Her most notable film was probably Carry On Loving (1970); she was depicted as a character in the National Theatre's recent play about the Carry On-ers, Cleo, Camping, Emmannuelle and Dick by Terry Johnson, which I can thoroughly recommend, except that Kenneth Williams should have been played by me.

Dan Leissner has published a book entitled Tuesday's Child - The Life and Death of Imogen Hassall. Unfortunately, the book will not be available through Amazon. In the U.S. you can order it directly from the publisher, Midnight Marquee Press (9721 Britinay Lane, Baltimore, MD 21234). Outside of the U.S., contact the author. The book costs $24.