Celebrating The Career Of Valerie Leon!
I came across a classic Hammer horror film from the early 70’s and was mesmerized by the star, Valerie Leon!
This British Actress got her start as a chorus girl – and appeared with Barbra Streisand in “Funny Girl” at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London’s West End – not a bad start to the business!
She appeared in the film “Zeta One” in 1969, but it was in the 1971 Hammer horror film “Blood From The Mummy’s Tomb” that she really became a star!
Leon had a dual starring role, as a reincarnated Egyptian queen. The film was one of Hammer’s great 70’s films that offered a more erotic take on traditional horror…
Hammer horror from this era holds up so well…moody, well done horror films with plenty of moderns touches like nudity and blood, which were unusual for traditional British horror…
She also appeared in the British sex comedy “Can You Keep It Up For A Week?” The film was one of those “nudge nudge wink wink” films that the British seemed to love in the 70’s…
Leon also appeared in several of the “Carry On…” films of that same era, with the same ribald take on sex:
Leon went on to appear in two different James Bond films, with two different Bonds!
She appeared with Roger Moore in 1977’s “The Spy Who Loved Me”, and also starred opposite Sean Connery in the renegade film from the series “Never Say Never Again” in 1983.
On television, Leon was probably best known for being part of a series of Hai Karate aftershave commercials as well as print ads!
Valerie Leon had a great career, and I plan to revisit a few of these films…she was one of many Actresses to appear in Bond films:
Barbara Bouchet also had a great career in film, from “Casino Royale” to a classic Italian action film and “Star Trek” as well!
See more about Bouchet by clicking on my story here:
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Let me know how many of Valerie’s films you’ve seen and bravo to her on a great career!
Categories: 70's Films, Books / Media, Camp Cult Classics, Classic Horror, Cult Classics, Horror films, JRsploitation, sex kittens, Talent / Celebrites
JR-Sploitation! 
Valerie was well-known here of course. Her sultry looks and large chest guaranteed her a lot of work.
Sadly, her acting skills were never exploited in the same way. 🙂
She is still working at the age of 75, and pops up in mature bit-parts occasionally.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks for the info, Pete…she made a big impression in her short time in cult film
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