Picture above: Ian Hendry and Yvonne Furneaux, Repulsion [1965]

On The Set, Repulsion [1965]

A few rare stills, recently discovered in Paris.

Repulsion is a 1965 British psychological horror film directed by Roman Polanski, and starring Catherine Deneuve, Ian Hendry, John Fraser and Yvonne Furneaux. The screenplay was based on a scenario by Gérard Brach and Polanski. The plot focuses on a young woman who is left alone by her vacationing sister at their apartment, and begins reliving traumas of her past in horrific ways. Shot in London, it was Polanski’s first English-language film and second feature-length production, following Knife in the Water (1962).

The film debuted at the 1965 Cannes Film Festival before receiving theatrical releases internationally. Upon its release, Repulsion received considerable critical acclaim and currently is considered one of Polanski’s greatest works. The film was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Gilbert Taylor‘s cinematography.

Picture: Ian Hendry and Yvonne Furneaux, Repulsion [1965]

Picture: Ian Hendry and Yvonne Furneaux, Repulsion [1965]

Picture: James Villiers, John Fraser and Hugh Futcher, Repulsion [1965]

Picture:  John Fraser and director Roman Polanski, Repulsion [1965]

Picture:  Catherine Denueve, director Roman Polanski and John Fraser, Repulsion [1965]

Picture:  Director Roman Polanski, Repulsion [1965]

High Futcher

Hugh Futcher (born 29 October 1937 in Portsmouth, Hampshire) is an English actor in theatre, television and film. He was a member of the stock company of the Carry On films, with notable parts in Carry On Spying, Carry On at Your Convenience, and Carry On Behind. Other films include Roman Polanski‘s Repulsion (as Colin’s pubmate Reggie) and the Herman’s Hermits musical Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter.

In television, Futcher had a recurring role in the adventure series Orlando as “Hedgehog.” He has also appeared on The Saint, Z-Cars, The Sweeney, Minder, and Casualty. In 1972 he appeared in the Doctor Who serial “The Sea Devils”. Fifteen years later he was considered for the role of the Seventh Doctor, but accepted other work that precluded taking the part. He appeared with Brian Murphy and Maureen Lipman in the 1985 television drama On Your Way, Riley.

James Villiers

James Villiers and Ian became good friends. Villiers was a guest at Ian’s wedding to Sandy in 1975 and also, if my sources are correct, backstage/ in the Green Room for Ian’s This Is Your Life in 1978.

James Michael Hyde Villiers (29 September 1933 – 18 January 1998)  was an English character actor and a familiar face on British television. Villiers was particularly memorable for his plummy voice and ripe articulation. He has been credited with originating the use of the word “luvvie” to describe members of the acting profession.

Villiers was born in London, the son of Eric Hyde Villiers and Joan Ankaret Talbot; he was educated at Wellington College, Berkshire and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. ‘Gentleman Jim’ Villiers (pronounced Villers) was from an upper-class background, the grandson of Sir Francis Hyde Villiers and great grandson of George Villiers, 4th Earl of Clarendon; his mother was descended from Earl Talbot. His aristocratic ancestry was often reflected in the types of role he played, such as King Charles II in the BBC series The First Churchills (1969), the Earl of Warwick in Saint Joan (1974), and Lord Thurlow in The Madness of George III.

Through his father, Villiers was a relative of Thomas Hyde Villiers, Charles Pelham Villiers, Henry Montagu Villiers and the former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers. Through his mother, he was distantly related to Charles Chetwynd-Talbot, 22nd Earl of Shrewsbury.

Villiers made his film début in 1958 and appeared in many British films over the years, including Joseph Losey‘s The Damned (also known as These Are the Damned), shot in 1961 but not released until 1963; Seth Holt‘s The Nanny (1965), Joseph Andrews (1977), For Your Eyes Only (1981), The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982), Mountains of the Moon (1990) and The Tichborne Claimant (1998), along with numerous other projects. He often specialised in playing cold, somewhat effete villains.

He played the role of Colonel Hensman in the television adaptation of Brendon Chase and was heard on BBC Radio 4 as the voice of Roderick Spode in The Code of the Woosters and several other adaptations of the Jeeves stories of P. G. Wodehouse, which starred Michael Hordern and Richard Briers.

Villiers was married twice: in 1966 to Patricia Donovan (marriage dissolved 1984), and in 1994 to Lucy Jex; his second marriage lasted until his death. He and his first wife adopted a son, Alan Michael Hyde Villiers (born Alan Donovan).

James Villiers died on 18 January 1998 at Arundel, Sussex, of cancer.

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Until next time,

Neil Hendry
Editor, Official Tribute To Ian Hendry

Further Reading

A detailed account of the life and work of Ian Hendry in the new biography:

Read: ‘Send in the Clowns – The Yo Yo Life Of Ian Hendry’ by Gabriel Hershman

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