Hammer Films' momentous decision was to remake a runaway success as a BBC television serial, as a feature film for international consumption. To get the Americans hooked, a US actor Brian Donlevy was hired to play the title role ( not to writer Nigel Kneale's satisfaction ). Quatermass is head of the fictitious British Rocket Group who have sent a three man mission into space. The rocket has crash landed back on earth with one survivor who can't speak and whose skin is strangely mutating. The fun happens when he starts moving around and it slowly dawns on those concerned, including Jack "Dixon " Warner as the police chief that they're not dealing with a human being any more.
The revised title makes a virtue of the fact that it received an X certificate and although it wouldn't be an 18 today it's still a dark and compelling drama with Quatermass's obsessive and callous pursuit of science more scary than the creature ( in its final form t any rate ) itself. It was an enormously influential film and launched two decades of success for Hammer.
Margia Dean ( as Judith Carroon )
Sex: No
Death : Survives
Margia was a former Miss California of Greek descent. She had friends in high places but still couldn't land the major parts. She left acting frustrated and later dabbled in film production, real estate and the restaurant business. She is now 94.
Margaret Anderson ( as Maggie )
Sex : She's about to have a roll in the hay when the rocket lands
Death : Survives
Margaret was a British actress who had a long if not particularly distinguished career. She died last year aged 90.
Jane Asher ( as little girl )
Sex : No
Death : Survives
Jane was only 9 here but already on her fifth film.
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