THE BIRTHDAYS OF MARY AND MADELINE COLLINSON : TWINS OF EVIL HAMMER FILMS 1971

REMEMBERING TODAY: Madeline Collinson. I must admit, I wasn't quite sure how I was going to present this today. The sad and premature passing of Madeline Collinson on August 2014 shocked everyone. For several years, fans and admirers were unaware of the struggle that Madeline had experienced with her health, a condition that through a series of unexpected and believed to be unfortunate timing, that sealed her fate. Madeline suffered from quite chronic emphysema. For months, she was nursed at her home, living quite a restricted life supported by  a ventilator system. In a horrendous turn of fate, the system shut down, as a result of a prolonged nationwide power cut. Mary, who now lives in Milan, later complained to the 'Times of Malta' newspaper that, 'Madeleine could have survived if the emergency services had got her to hospital quicker. . . ' A sad and tragic ending to a life. . .  Both her and her twin sister, Mary for a short time had a career in film, where their uncanny 'double-take' resemblance to each other, was the perfect device for films like '#HAMMERFILMS 'Twins of Evil'. 

 

BOTH MARY AND MADELINE, Both her and her twin sister, Mary for a short time had a career in film, where their uncanny 'double-take' resemblance to each other, was the perfect device for films like '#HAMMERFILMS 'Twins of Evil' which starred Peter Cushing, Damien Thomas and Denis Price. Neither Mary or Madeline, let their inexperienced in acting for the big screen get in their way. They knew their limits, and played to their strengths, and the results were very good indeed. . . . Both Madeline and Mary gracefully retired from their film careers, and went on to have families, children and lives..far, far away from the clutches of Count Karnstein! Mary still makes the occasional appearance at signing events, and is always happy to talk.

 

IN POSTING this tribute today also at Facebook PCASUK Fan Page, it is interesting to read and see the response from many, many admirers and fans, who remember and still appreciate both Madeline and Mary's work. 

Mary and Madeline with director John Hough during the making of Hammer Films 'Twins Of Evil' (1972) 

 

John Hough with 'The Twins' Madeline and Mary, during the filming of Twins Of Evil (1972)

 

 

BOTH MARY AND MADELINE featured in a rare Norwegian lobby still for 'Twins of Evil' where the feature was theatrically released with the confusing title of 'Twins of Dracula'!

 

PETER CUSHING and MARY COLLINSON wait for the cameras to start rolling and the flames to start roaring, on the woodland set of 'Twins of Evil'  

 

 

A FULL PCASUK REVIEW OF 'TWINS OF EVIL' WITH GALLERY OF STILLS 

CAN BE FOUND HERE!

 

PART ONE of a THREE PART GALLERY SERIES of RARE photographs on set during the making of Hammer films 'Twins of Evil' can be FOUND HERE

 

PART TWO RIGHT HERE! 

 

YOU ARE MOST WELCOME TO JOIN US and over 34,000 others Peter Cushing followers at the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE! With posts every day, rare images and photographs, features and prize competitions.. all celebrating the LIFE and CAREER of Peter Cushing  OBE