Trivia and Connections: Frenzy (1972) - Mrs. Oxford (Vivien Merchant)

[Vic Evans [Marmalade_man]]

I have always loved the great supporting characters and character
actors that Alfred Hitchcock employed. Often they brought
considerable interest and humour to his films.

In Frenzy (1972) I particularly enjoyed Mrs. Oxford (Vivien Merchant).
You will remember her cooking terrible gourmet meals for her husband
Chief Inspector Oxford (Alec McCowen). The comedy that came from
those scenes enhanced the movie considerably in my opinion.

I was sad to learn that she was a chronic alcoholic who died of
cirrhosis of the liver in 1982 at the age of 53.

This is rather thought provoking when you watch her in her last scene
in the movie, where in one gulp she finishes the Margarita she made
for one of her husband's officers.

If you know of other trivia or unusual connections concerning Alfred
Hitchcock movies or his actors, please post them.

Best wishes,

Vic Evans (marmalade_man[NOSPAM]@hotmail.com
ICQ 1308061

[sligo...@webtv.net]

Dear Vic:

Thank you for writing about Vivien Merchant. I recall writing in more
than one of my Quizzes how much I revere great character actors. Of
course great character actors (like Edmund Gwenn, for instance) are an
important asset to
_any_ film, not just a Hitchcock film.

I, too, enjoyed the character of Mrs. Oxford in
_Frenzy_---those wonderful "gourmet" meals for her husband!! (I was
wondering if Mrs. Oxford's recipes are available anywhere? We all like
trivia---it would be the ultimate trivial experience cooking one of her
recipes! I collect all kinds of recipes and cookbooks . I think I have
one of the most bizarre cookbooks in the world: Mary Ann Clayton's
_Critter Cuisine_.
= "Snake and Eggs in the Grass": two garden snakes with quail eggs and
garlic and weeds from any ditch. Serve with toasted French bread slices
and a coarse mustard sauce. Don't serve with wine; serve with bourbon
and branch water. = "Mixed Lizards Demi-Chaud Froid": Use only colorful
and shapely lizards.
Chaud froid sauce. A bed of fish-stock aspic. Cool crisp radishes.
Avoid blue-tail lizards.
= "Mouse Kabobs": Use only clean, sanitized mice traps. Mice are
skewered with celery, red bell papers, onions, and pork chops. A
charcoal
fire augmented with trimmings from your herb garden permeates the kabobs
with a heady earthy flavor.= I'm sure Mrs. Oxford would have loved these
recipes, don't you?)

By the way, Vic, you forgot to mention that Vivien Merchant was
nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for
_Alfie_ (1966).

Sligo