Production photograph from Vault of Horror

Gelatin silver photograph, taken during production by Albert Clarke, of four skull-like zombies, wearing special effects masks created by Roy Ashton for the final scenes of the film, 'Vault of Horror' (1973).

The masks were made by a time consuming process of casting and moulding, the mask in progress then being blended with the actors' features. Four individual masks were made - one for each of the four actors who were to appear as skull-like zombies in the final scene of the film.

This mask is from the Ashton & Leakey Collection. Roy Ashton and Phil Leakey (1908-1992) worked for Hammer Films during the 1950s and 1960s. They were pioneers of special effects make-up - using cosmetics and prosthetics to transform an actor's appearance.