One of the most memorable photos from the Hammer Films of the 1970's was that of a beautiful blond vampire woman sitting up from her coffin in a shroud and tattered clothes with blood running from her mouth and down her bare breasts. This indelible image was that of Danish actress, Yutte Stensgaard as the descendant of Mircalla Karnstein in LUST FOR A VAMPIRE (1971).
This was the second film in Hammer's so-called "Karnstein Trilogy" and Miss Stensgaard was quite effective in the leading role. Well-photographed during this period, images of her as the lustful vampire populated press reviews and monster magazines, ensuring her place in horror femme fatale history.
In February, 1992 fan Tim Greaves published a 40-page digest-sized booklet showcasing Stensgaard. Entitled, YUTTE STENSGAARD: A PICTORIAL SOUVENIR, it was followed by a second edition in December, 1992, YUTTE STENSGAARD: MEMORIES OF A VAMPIRE. Both have become rare on the collector's market. Shown below are sample pages from MEMORIES which I purchase through CINEFANTASTIQUE's mail order catalog.
In her short film career, Stensgaard starred in several other genre films such as, SCREAM AND SCREAM AGAIN (1970), ZETA ONE (1969) and BURKE & HARE (1972). In 1972, she retired from acting to move to the U.S. from the UK and raise a son. She agreed to an interview with VIDEO WATCHDOG magazine and subsequently appeared at a horror convention, but other than that she has enjoyed the life away from gothic castles and coffins!
She's a beauty! I don't think I've seen that particular Hammer movie. An oversight which ought to be corrected.
ReplyDeleteOne wonders how her film career would have gone if she hadn't retired. Outside of her looks she wasn't really an outstanding actress, and she may have just been exploited accordingly.
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