Hammer horror star comes to Bristol for Halloween weekend screening of Blood from the Mummy’s Tomb

Hammer’s 1971 reinvention of the mummy movie, Blood from the Mummy’s Tomb, dispenses with much of the lumbering bandaged monster action of its predecessors to deliver a more glamorous take on the venerable genre, with Valerie Leon in a dual role as evil Egyptian queen Tara and Margaret Fuchs – daughter of the Egyptologist who digs up Tara’s mummy and brings it back to England. Based on Bram Stoker’s novel The Jewel of Seven Stars, this was also one of Hammer’s most troubled productions. Original star Peter Cushing had to pull out after a single day’s filming because of his wife’s illness and director Seth Holt died of a heart attack on set five weeks into the shoot, leaving the film to be completed by Hammer boss Michael Carreras. Despite these difficulties, the handsomely staged film has been acclaimed as one of Hammer’s better late-period horrors.

It’s back on the giant screen at the former Bristol IMAX on Friday 27 October. What’s more, Valerie Leon will be present in person for a Q&A after the screening. There will also be an auction of more than 40 lots from her career, conducted by Bristol’s Auctioneum.

Valerie Leon. Pic: Auctioneum

An actress and model who enjoyed a long film and TV career, Valerie Leon is also fondly remembered for her role in the 1970s Hai Karate TV adverts as the woman who’s improbably driven wild by a man wearing pongy aftershave. She appeared in six Carry On films (Carry On Up the Khyber, Carry On Camping, Carry on Again Doctor, Carry On Up the Jungle, Carry On Matron and Carry On Girls) and two Bond movies (The Spy Who Loved Me, Never Say Never Again). She also had roles in The Italian Job, Revenge of the Pink Panther and a brace of very 1970s sex comedies (Can you Keep It Up for a Week?, The Ups and Downs of a Handyman).

The wig from ‘Never Say Never Again’. Pic: Auctioneum

The auction lots from her own collection include the original wig she wore on set opposite Sean Connery in Never Say Never Again. “The wig was kept by Valerie after filming, and I was quite shocked to discover that she still had it,” says auctioneer Andrew Stowe from Auctioneum. “James Bond has one of the biggest fanbases around, and this wig has just been kept in a drawer since filming. I know so many fans will be after it.” The wig carries a pre-auction estimate of £1500 to £2000.

“One of the most remarkable things in the sale,” adds Andrew “is Valerie’s original contract from The Italian Job. Barely any memorabilia exists from the film, and it just such an iconic movie that I know it’ll be really popular with bidders.” Leon appeared in a small role as a hotel receptionist who serves Michael Caine. She was paid just £35 for one day’s filming.

Valerie Leon with the script from ‘Blood from the Mummy’s Tomb’. Pic: Auctioneum

From Carry On Up The Jungle comes Valerie’s original contract, which reveals that she was paid the sum of £120 for her appearance as Leda, the leader of the Lubi-Dubis.

A portion of the proceeds will be going to REACT – a charity that helps children with terminal illness.

The full catalogue can be viewed at Auctioneum’s website.

Tickets for the screening and Q&A are available here.

Main pic from Blood from the Mummy’s Tomb: StudioCanal