André Morell
Born Aug. 20th, 1909 – Died Nov. 28th, 1978

André Morell is a British actor that made his name in the horror genre, mainly thanks to Hammer Films. Appearing in such titles like The Shadow of the Cat (1961), She (1965), The Mummy’s Shroud (1967), and of course, he role as Sir James in Plague of the Zombies (1966), made him a very familiar face to Hammer horror fans. This is probably my favorite of his roles, playing the witty British gentleman, but knows when it’s time to get down to business! He also appeared in non-Hammer films like the underrated The Giant Behemoth (1959) and a bit part in 10 Rillington Place (1971). And while not a horror film, his performance in the 1961 film Cash on Demand, c0-starring Peter Cushing, is just incredible and so much fun to watch.

But even before those films, he had become well known from his work on British televsion, especially working with Nigel Kneale’s 1954 adaptations of George Orwell’s 1984, doing some nasty things to his co-star Peter Cushing. Then in 1959, he appeared as Professor Bernard Quatermass in the BBC broadcast of Kneale’s Quatermass and the Pit. This was such a success that fans started calling him Quatermass. He would have been in Hammer’s movie adaptation had he been available at the time they went into production.

He would later appear alongside Cushing again, in a much more friendlier role as Dr. Watson to Cushing’s Sherlock Holmes in Hammer’s The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959).

Morell was always there to give a memorable characterization as the typical prim and proper British man. Always the gentleman, whether in the hero role or as the villain, as always a joy to watch him perform.