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Caroline Munro

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Caroline Munro
Munro at the Glasgow Film and Comic Con (2018)
Born
Caroline Jane Munro

(1949-01-16) 16 January 1949 (age 75)
Windsor, Berkshire, England
Occupation(s)Actress, model, singer
Years active1966–present
Height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Spouses
​
​
(m. 1970; div. 1982)​
George Dugdale
​
​
(m. 1990; died 2020)​
Children2
Websitecarolinemunro.org

Caroline Jane Munro (/mənˈroʊ/; born 16 January 1949)[1][2] is an English actress, model and singer known for her many appearances in horror, science fiction and action films of the 1970s and 1980s.[3] She gained prominence within Hammer and horror circles, starring in Dracula AD 1972 and Captain Kronos – Vampire Hunter (1974), garnering a cult following for the numerous films that she starred in. She also acted in The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1973), and in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). In 2019, she was inducted into the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards' Monster Kid Hall of Fame.[4]

Early life and education

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Born in Windsor, Berkshire, Munro was the youngest child of a lawyer and a housewife. As a young child, Munro and her family moved to Rottingdean, near Brighton where she attended a convent school.[5][6]

Career

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Munro's career began in 1966 when her mother and a photographer friend entered some headshots of her in The Evening News's "Face of the Year" contest:

"I wanted to do art. Art was my love. I went to art school in Brighton but I was not very good at it. I just did not know what to do. I had a friend at the college who was studying photography and he needed somebody to photograph and he asked me. Unbeknownst to me, he sent the photographs to a big newspaper in London. The fashion photographer, David Bailey, was conducting a photo contest and my picture won."

— Caroline Munro[7]

This led to modelling work for Vogue magazine at the age of 17.[7] She moved to London to pursue modelling work and became a cover girl for fashion and television advertisements while there. She had bit parts in films such as Casino Royale (1967)[3] and Where's Jack? (1969).[7] One of her photo advertisements led to a screen test and a one-year contract with Paramount[8] where she was cast as Richard Widmark's daughter in the comedy western A Talent for Loving (also 1969).[8] Photographs of Munro were used to portray Victoria Regina Phibes, the wife of the title character (played by Vincent Price) in The Abominable Dr Phibes (1971), and its sequel, Dr Phibes Rises Again (1972).[9]

Hammer Horror films

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The chairman of Hammer Films, Sir James Carreras, spotted Munro on a Lamb's Navy Rum poster/billboard.[10] He asked his assistant, James Liggett, to find and screen test her. She was promptly signed to a one-year contract. Her first film for Hammer proved to be a turning point in her career. It was during the making of Dracula AD 1972 (1972)[11] that she decided from this film onward she was a fully-fledged actress.[12] Munro acted in Captain Kronos – Vampire Hunter (1974).[11] Directed by Brian Clemens, she played the barefoot gypsy girl Carla. In Paramount Pictures' DVD commentary, Clemens explains that he envisioned the role as a fiery Raquel Welch-type redhead.[citation needed]

Munro has the distinction of being the only actor ever signed to a long-term contract by Hammer Films. She turned down the lead female roles in Hammer's Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde (1971), Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (1974), the unmade Vampirella,[13] Force 10 from Navarone (1978) and The World Is Full of Married Men (1979) as they all required nudity.[3]

The Golden Voyage of Sinbad

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Munro with Charles H. Schneer in Amsterdam during the premiere of The Golden Voyage of Sinbad, July 1974
Munro in Amsterdam, July 1974

Brian Clemens helped her to be cast in the role of Margiana, the slave girl in The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1973).

"I got the part – I had been signed by Hammer, for one year, for a contract, out of which I did two films, one being Dracula AD 1972, and the second one being Captain Kronos – Vampire Hunter, which, kind of, would come full-circle, to Sinbad. It was written and directed by Brian Clemens, who wrote the screenplay for The Golden Voyage of Sinbad, so, I was lucky enough to be chosen for Captain Kronos, and they were searching for somebody to do Sinbad, and they wanted a big name, somebody American, or well-known, but Brian said 'No'. He kept lobbying Charles Schneer [producer] and Ray Harryhausen — saying: 'I think you should come and look at the rushes, and see what you think, because I think she's right.' So, they said 'No', but, eventually, Brian persuaded them to do that, and they saw the rushes, and that was how I got the part. So, it was lovely, like work-out-of-work. I was very lucky to have done that."

— Caroline Munro[14]

Munro has served[when?] as a trustee of the Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation.[15]

Other appearances during this time included I Don't Want to Be Born (1975) with Joan Collins, and At the Earth's Core (1976) with Peter Cushing and Doug McClure. She appeared also as Tammy, a nursing employee of a sinister health farm, in "The Angels of Death",[16] an episode of the TV series The New Avengers that featured also rising stars Pamela Stephenson and Lindsay Duncan.[citation needed]

Late 1970s and 1980s

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In 1977, Munro turned down the opportunity to play villainess Ursa in Superman in favour of Bond girl Naomi in The Spy Who Loved Me.[3]

Munro continued to work in numerous British and European horror and science fiction films throughout the 1970s and 1980s, such as Starcrash (1978) with David Hasselhoff, Christopher Plummer and Marjoe Gortner.[17]

Munro's career continued to thrive well in the 1980s, and she appeared in many slasher and Eurotrash productions. Her first film shot on American soil was the William Lustig production Maniac (1980).[18] This was soon followed by the "multi-award winning, shot during the Cannes Film Festival" shocker The Last Horror Film (1982)[11] (directed by David Winters), in which she was reunited with her Maniac (and Starcrash) co-star Joe Spinell. She had a cameo role in the film Don't Open Till Christmas (1984),[11] Slaughter High (1986),[11] Paul Naschy's Howl of the Devil, and Jess Franco's Faceless (1988), followed in rapid succession. She reteamed with Starcrash director Luigi Cozzi for Demons 6: De Profundis (aka Il gatto nero, 1989).[citation needed]

Between 1984 and 1987, Munro was a hostess on the Yorkshire Television game show 3-2-1. Munro was a popular pin-up girl during this time, although she refused to pose nude. In the early 1980s, she appeared in music videos for Adam Ant's "Goody Two Shoes" (1982) and Meat Loaf's "If You Really Want To" (1983).[8]

Since 1990

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Munro's film roles were confined to performing cameos as herself in Night Owl (1993),[3] as Mrs. Pignon in To Die For (1994),[3] as the counselor in her friend Jeffrey Arsenault's film Domestic Strangers (1996), and as Carla the Gypsy in Flesh for the Beast (2003).[19]

In 2018, Munro re-teamed with her Dracula A.D. 1972 co-star Christopher Neame to appear in the horror film House of the Gorgon (2018).[20]

In September 2021, Munro started presenting Talking Pictures TV’s new, exclusive series The Cellar Club.[21] In the series, Caroline introduces celebrated and obscure horror films from her Cellar Club and gives her personal, insider perspective. In October of the same year, Munro contributed an introduction to the LGBT+ horror short story collection Shapes in the Dark. She describes appearing opposite Christopher Lee 'in full Count attire' as a 'lightbulb moment' cementing her relationship as an actor with the genre.[22] In 2023, Caroline appeared in Leigh Tarrant's britflik horror 'The Presence Of Snowgood'.

Music

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An early effort of Munro's was a single release by Columbia, "Tar and Cement", backed with "The Sporting Life". The musicians who played on the recording included Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker.[23][24] She also recorded several singles with her former husband Judd Hamilton including:

  • "You Got It", backed with "Where Does Love Begin"
  • "Rhythm Of The Rain", backed with "Sound Of The Rain"
  • "Love Songs", backed with "Sound Of The Sun"

In 1984, Munro collaborated with Gary Numan for the single "Pump Me Up", which was released on Numan's Numa record label.[25]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1966 Smoke Over London Beautiful Brunette Cameo
1967 Casino Royale Guard Girl Uncredited
1968 Joanna Extra Uncredited
1969 Where's Jack? Madame Vendonne
A Talent for Loving Evalina Patten
1971 On the Buses Poster Girl
The Abominable Dr. Phibes Victoria Regina Phibes Uncredited
1972 Mutiny on the Buses Poster Girl
Dracula A.D. 1972 Laura
Dr. Phibes Rises Again Victoria Regina Phibes
1973 The Golden Voyage of Sinbad Margiana
1974 Captain Kronos – Vampire Hunter Carla
1975 I Don't Want to Be Born Mandy Gregory
1976 At the Earth's Core Dia
1977 The Spy Who Loved Me Naomi
1978 Starcrash Stella Star
1980 Maniac Anna D'Antoni
1982 The Last Horror Film Jana Bates
1984 Don't Open Till Christmas Caroline Munro
1986 Slaughter High Carol Manning
1987 Faceless Barbara Hallen
1988 Howl of the Devil Carmen
1989 The Black Cat Nora
1993 Night Owl Caroline Munro
1994 To Die For Mrs. Pignon
1996 Domestic Strangers Counsellor
2002 Blood Craving Caroline Munro
2003 Flesh for the Beast Carla the Gypsy
2006 The Absence of Light Abbey Church
2012 Aqua Tales Marina Voice
Eldorado Lilly
2015 Vampyres Hotel owner [26]
Crying Wolf 3D Shopkeeper [27]
2016 Stellar Quasar and the Scrolls of Dadelia Amanay
2017 Cute Little Buggers Mystic Mary
2019 House of the Gorgon Baroness Bartov [28]
2020 The Haunting of Margam Castle Brenda
2023 The Pocket Film of Superstitions High Priestess
2023 The Presence Of Snowgood Dolores Blackman

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1971 The BOO Show Pet dog TV film
1976 The Howerd Confessions Captain Latour Episode: #1.2
1977 The New Avengers Tammy Episode: "Angels of Death"
1986 Cinderella: The Shoe Must Go On Game Show Hostess TV film
1988 Maigret Carolyn Page TV film
1992 Tropical Heat Alicia Episode: "Stranger in Paradise"
2013 Midsomer Murders Evil Priestess Episode: "Death and the Divas"

Short film

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Year Title Role Notes
1966 G.G. Passion Female fan Uncredited
2009 Turpin Lady Victoria
2013 The Landlady The Landlady
2017 Frankula Clarissa Cobra
2018 End User Barmaid
2019 Alone on Christmas: The Creation of Curtis Stein Helga

Discography

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Singles
Act Title Cat Year Loc Notes #
Caroline Munro "Tar and Cement" / "This Sporting Life" Columbia DB 8189 1967 UK [29]
Hamilton & Munro "Come Softly To Me" / "Sad Old Song" King Kong Records 52001 1979 France [30]
Judd And Miss Munro "You Got It" / "Where Does Love Begin" Aquarius AQ 3 1976 UK
Judd And Miss Munro "Rhythm Of The Rain" / "Sound Of The Sun" RCA Victor RCA 2753 1976 UK
Judd Hamilton And Caroline Munro "Love Songs" / "Sound Of The Sun" RCA Victor PB 5021 1977 UK [31]
Caroline Munro "Pump Me Up" / "The Picture" Numa NU 5 1984 UK
Caroline Munro "Pump Me Up" / "The Picture", Pump Me Up (7" Version) Numa NUM 5 1984 UK 12"
Caroline Munro "Pump Me Up" (Remix) / "Pump Me Up" (Instrumental Version) Zig Zag Records – ZIG20006
Numa – ZIG20006 		1985 Italy 12", 33RPM[29]

References

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  1. ^ Cotter, Robert Michael "Bobb" (2012). Caroline Munro, First Lady of Fantasy: A Complete Annotated Record of Film and Television Appearances. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co. p. 3. ISBN 978-0786468829.
  2. ^ McFarlane, Brian (28 February 2014). The Encyclopedia of British Film: Fourth edition. Oxford University Press. p. 538; ISBN 978-1526111968
  3. ^ a b c d e f Hal Erickson (2016). "Caroline Munro: About This Person". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on 1 March 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  4. ^ Colton, David (19 February 2019). "Winners of the (Gasp!) 17th Annual Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards". RondoAward.com.
  5. ^ Membery, York. "Exclusive Interview with Caroline Munro". Pointing North.
  6. ^ York Membery (6 September 2020). "A Bond girl who is most at home in a charity shop". The Times.
  7. ^ a b c Basinger, Stuart (2004). "Chasing After Caroline Munro". Dr. Shatterhand's Botanical Garden. Archived from the original on 1 March 2004.
  8. ^ a b c "About Caroline Munro". Caroline Munro (official website). Archived from the original on 26 June 2017.
  9. ^ "Dr. Phibes Rises Again". IMDb.com. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  10. ^ O'Neill, Phelim (3 August 2002). "Former Bond girl Caroline Munro talks 007, '80s slasher flick Maniac and Ted Rogers". The Guardian.
  11. ^ a b c d e "Caroline Munro Filmography". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2015. Archived from the original on 24 November 2015.
  12. ^ Redfield, Mark (21 September 2009). "An Actor's Notebook by Mark Redfield: THE CAROLINE MUNRO INTERVIEW (2007)". Anactorsnotebook.blogspot.com.
  13. ^ Whale, Robin. "Caroline Munro : Vampirella Model". Vampilore.co.uk.
  14. ^ Groom, Graham (23 November 2002). "Caroline Munro Interview". Margiana. Archived from the original on 27 December 2005. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  15. ^ "About The Foundation". The Ray & Diana Harryhausen Foundation. Archived from the original on 24 October 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  16. ^ "Caroline Munro Official Fansite". Carolinemunro.org. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  17. ^ "Starcrash (1979)". BFI. Archived from the original on 7 October 2018. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  18. ^ Vincent Canby (31 January 1981). "Maniac". New York Times. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
  19. ^ "Flesh for the Beast (2003)". IMDb.com.
  20. ^ "House of the Gorgon". IMDb.com. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
  21. ^ "Caroline Munro talks The Cellar Club". wearecult.rocks. 3 September 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  22. ^ Jackson, William (2021). Shapes in the Dark. MFco. pp 7-11. ISBN 978-1-912622-33-7
  23. ^ 45Cat - Caroline Munro - Discography
  24. ^ Caroline Munro, First Lady of Fantasy: A Complete Annotated Record of Film and Television Appearances, By Robert Michael "Bobb" Cotter - Page 155 OTHER WORKS: Advertising and Music – Music –
  25. ^ Cotter, Robert Michael “Bobb” (18 June 2012). Caroline Munro, First Lady of Fantasy: A Complete Annotated Record of Film and Television Appearances. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-6882-9.
  26. ^ "Vampyres (2015)". IMDb.com.
  27. ^ "Crying Wolf 3D (2015)". IMDb.com.
  28. ^ Mason, Shana Beth (13 February 2019). "Hammer Hath Risen: 'House of the Gorgon' Premieres in London". Frontrunner Magazine.
  29. ^ a b Discogs - Caroline Munro Discography, Singles & EPs
  30. ^ Discogs - Judd Hamilton Discography, Singles & EP's
  31. ^ 45Cat - Judd Hamilton - Discography, UK
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