TODAY MARKS THE BIRTHDAY of a very special B'day girl, #JoannaLumley! She appeared as Peter Cushing's grand-daughter, in quick bit of recasting for #Hammerfilms in 'The Satanic Rites of #Dracula'
(1973) and also appeared with Cushing in 'The Eagle's Nest' the first
of the new series 'The New Avengers in 1976. The first episode
established the new team, Gareth Hunt as Mike Gambit, Joanna Lumley as #Purdey
and Patrick Macnee as John Steed. These two projects are just the very
tip of a HUGE career . . glamorous, intelligent, entertaining . . .
where would you like to start?? #HappyBirthday Joanna! Have a wonderful day! 😃 #HammerHorror" #JoannaLumleyBirthday! #Dracula#PeterCushing
ABOVE: An
interesting and rare peep at both Peter Cushing and Joanna Lumley on
set, during the making of 'The Satanic Rites of Dracula' !
OVER AT THE FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE today, I have also posted and shared this rare photograph of Joanna Lumley together with, not one BUT two very tall men...
Christopher Lee who she starred with in Hammer films, 'The Satanic Rites
of Dracula' ... but who is the other guy??? He was once a very well known face on UK television. Think you know? Why not zip over to the page and make your suggestion now, it's got some young heads scratching 😉 #JoannaLumley#Birthday#ChristopherLee#HammerHorrors!
ABOVE AND BELOW: OH JOANNA ....! #PeterCushing appeared in the first of 'The New Avengers' series, 'The Eagle's Nest' (1976)
GREAT NEWS for THE AVENGERS and CYBERNAUT FANS! As we all know Peter
Cushing starred in one episode of the THREE Cybernaut stories that were
in the 'Avengers' and 'The New Avengers' series. 'The RETURN of the CYBERNAUTS' is included in this new, remastered blu ray set form
Network.
HERE IS THE PRESS RELEASE DETAILS FROM NETWORK: A TRIO OF CYBERNAUTS!There isn’t much more one can say about 'The Avengers', the global and stylish
television trailblazer it is (by any standards), but we do have
something new to present with The Cybernauts Trilogy. We’ve selected
three high-points from across the run for this special 2019 release: The
Cybernauts, their 1965 robotic debut featuring Diana Rigg; the 1967
follow-up Return of the Cybernauts, again with Diana Rigg and Peter
Cushing guesting in one of his most sinister roles; and, making its
world High Definition debut, 'The New Avengers' 1976 finale 'The Last of
the Cybernauts…??' . We’ve pulled the original film elements for all
three episodes into the Network studio for brand new, painstaking, High
Definition restorations, exclusively for this release.
There’s much more
to this release, though: as well as presenting the episodes in all
their uncut, restored glory, we’re also presenting the option to watch
each episode in its contemporary transmission context, with actual
commercials in situ. Included in the package is a 32-page booklet by
celebrated television historian Andrew Pixley detailing the history of
the three episodes and there’s limited edition digi-pack packaging
whilst stocks last. This really is the last of the Cybernauts. . . .'
OUR PCASUK feature on the chemistry of DIANA RIGG as Mrs Peel and PETER CUSHING in 'REURN OF THE CYBERNAUTS' in 'The Wooing of Mrs Peel!'! You'll find it HERE along with a great GALLERY of GIFS, STILLS and more . . .
AND YOU'LL FIND MORE PCASUK coverage of this episode RIGHT HERE!
OVER AT THEFacebook PCASUK Fan Page we are asking, is this a really neat package! 😉 What do you think? 😮
#THROWBACKTHURSDAY! It's a nice touch, that when the new and rebooted AVENGERS came back to
TV, in the very first episode broadcast on the 17th October 1976, they
brought Peter Cushing along to help launch the new series. Cushing, had
of course appeared in the 1960's hey day series, in an episode entitled
'The Return of the Cybernauts' in 1967. Then, playing Paul Beresford, a
baddie through and through first time round, Cushing returns playing ,
Professor Maybach Von Claus, nice chap in an evil situation . .. In The
EAGLE'S NEST, Steed investigates the death of a colleague while Gambit
witnesses the kidnapping of Professor Von Claus. Purdey scuba dives to
the remote island of St. Dorca, where a monastery hides a secret and
Germany's greatest treasure.
TODAY IN THE TRUE SPIRIT of #TBT we take you back to FEBRUARY 17TH 1976, and the return of a gem from telly past, The Avengers, brushed down and polished, karate kicking and tea cup cup tilting, and ready for adeventures new with gentleman STEED, with two new companions. The inclusion of Joanna Lumley and Garethe Hunt, taking a little of an older, but just as iconic Steed, was a great idea, bring Peter Cushing along from the original AVENGERS series, was a master stroke!
#THROWBACKTHURSDAY!
Those of you who are big fans of the UK tv show, 'The Avengers' and
'The New Avengers' from the 60's and 70's, will probably know right
away, what this clip is about. For the rest of us well... In an episode
of 'THE NEW AVENGERS' called , "TARGET', our heroes Steed (Patrick
Macnee) Purdey (Joanna Lumley) and Gambit (Gareth Hunt) are being tested
on an ambush / gun assault -course- range (???) thing...! Presumably,
to check if their wits are sharp and they are still fit for the job??
THE ASSAULT RANGE is disguised as a small village, with a collection of
buildings and streets, with fake graffiti and road-signs and . . robot
assassins! There is also a 'police telephone box' which they blow up...!
Now, the writer of this episode is Dennis Spooner. Some believe the
inclusion of the box / tardis gave Spooner the opportunity for an
in-joke about a 'previous job', hint hint...as the police box is
spectacularly detonated at one point ! Rumour suggests this is the
actual TARDIS exterior from the Amicus Dalek movies. . . .what do you
think??
ABOVE YESTERDAY'S BANNER, an experiment to see if we could take an interactive post vote on facebook to see which Cushing Collectable Hi Res photographs. we most wanted to share. Sadly, facebook's practice of squashing any of our posts that contain links to platforms outside of the facebook domain, sabotaged what could have been a useful tool . However, the few that DID get to see the post, voted, and these are the two hi res stills, that were most popular with you! Top: A contact sheet of images from Hammer films, 'DRACULA ad 1972' and a striking colour portrait of Peter Cushing asGeneral von Spielsdorf, from THE VAMPIRE LOVERS (1970). Despite the setback this week,. we will continue with Cushing Collectors Wednesdays, and next week, there will be MORE rare images shared . . .!
TODAY MARKS WHAT would have been a very significant birthday in the life
of Peter Cushing...the birthdate of his wife, Helen. Peter never forgot
to mark anniversaries or special days with Helen, often making her
beautiful greetings cards, notes and..of course the silk scarves. He
never forgot her birthday, and neither shall we... so, in remembrance,
Happy Birthday Helen.
REMEMBER! IF YOU LIKE what you see here at our website, you'll love our daily themed posts at our PCAS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE.
Just click that blue LINK and click LIKE when you get there, and help
us . . Keep The Memory Alive!. The
Peter Cushing Appreciation Society website, facebook fan page and
youtube channel are managed, edited and written by Marcus Brooks, PCAS
coordinator since 1979. PCAS is based in the UK and USA
#TOOCOOLTUESDAY!
I would guess maybe 98% of you here would be able to name the face
under that all the make up, sitting in the make up chair. For those who
can't there is one big give away, for all of us who have been been part
of a running joke here for months...can you spot it??
TODAY WE REMEMBER the wonderful actor Patrick Macnee who was born on this day
in 1922. He was best known for his role as the secret agent John Steed
in the British television series The Avengers and The New Avengers.
PATRICK MACNEE and Peter Cushing had the opportunity to work
together several times. In 1968 Patrick was very much established in a
superb tv programme made in the UK called The Avengers...Peter worked
with both Patrick and Diana Rigg on this programme. Later in
1970, they worked together again, Macnee and Cushing both 'landed' in a
film called 'Incense For The Damned' aka 'Bloodsuckers'.
IT RECEIVED a
limited release at the time, but seems to have found something of a
'cult-status' in the land of '100 Horror Poor and Weird Films' dvd
compilations!! In 1978, the Avengers tv series was rebooted and
relaunched and it's first episode, not only brought us Macnee and
Cushing ....but also two new side -kicks for Macnee...Gareth Hunt as
'Tough man' Gambit and Joanna Lumley as Purdey.....who not only supplied
buckets of sex appeal to the tea time Sunday evening program, but high
kicks and a hair style that anyone who considered themselves a bit of a
catch, were proudly modeling within days of the first program being
broadcast! Lumley had played Cushing grand-daughter Jessica Van Helsing
in Hammer films 'The Satanic Rites of Dracula' (1973)
MACNEE also shared a close friendship with Christopher Lee, since the
pair attended school together (at Summerfields Preparatory School in
Oxford) and also performed together several times, including playing
Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson in two TV movies in the early 1990s,
Incident at Victoria Falls and Sherlock Holmes and the Leading Lady.
Patrick Macnee died peacefully at his home, in Rancho Mirage, California
on 25th June 2015. He was 93.
The NAME of the COMPANY. WHY was he asked to make it? It was a MODEL of WHAT? ANSWER THURSDAY!
REMEMBER! IF YOU LIKE what you see here at our website, you'll love our daily themed posts at our PCAS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE.
Just click that blue LINK and click LIKE when you get there, and help
us . . Keep The Memory Alive!. The
Peter Cushing Appreciation Society website, facebook fan page and
youtube channel are managed, edited and written by Marcus Brooks, PCAS
coordinator since 1979. PCAS is based in the UK and USA
TODAY MARKS THE BIRTHDAY of a very special B'day girl, Joanna Lumley!
She appeared as Peter Cushing's granddaughter, in quick bit of recasting
for Hammer in The Satanic Rites of Dracula (1973) and also appeared
with Cushing in The Eagle's Nest the first of the new series 'The New
Avengers in 1976. The first episode established the new team, Gareth Hunt as Mike Gambit, Joanna Lumley as Purdey and Patrick Macnee as John
Steed.
LUMLEY'S SECTION OF 'THE NEW AVENGERS' TITLE SEQUENCE!
Peter Cushing, Derek Farr, Joanna Lumley and Gareth Hunt in 'The Eagle's Nest' episode one of 'The New Avengers' 1976
ABOVE: An
interesting and rare peep at both Peter Cushing and Joanna Lumley on
set, during the making of 'The Satanic Rites of Dracula' !
IF YOU LIKE what you see here at our website, you'll love our daily themed posts at our PCAS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE.
Just click that blue LINK and click LIKE when you get there, and help
us reach our 30K following total for Peter Cushing BIRTHDAY on MAY 26th
2017 AND Help Keep The Memory Alive!
Today marks the birthday of a very special B'day girl, Joanna Lumley!
She appeared as Peter Cushing's granddaughter, in quick bit of recasting
for Hammer in The Satanic Rites of Dracula (1973) and also appeared in
The Eagle's Nest episode of the New Avengers TV series.
The
Eagles Nest,. the first of the new series and return of 'The New
Avengers in 1976. The first episode established the new team, Gareth
hunt as Mike Gambit, Joanna Lumley as Purdey and Patrick Macnee as John
Steed and guest starred Peter Cushing.
Above, US
publicity material: Joanna Lumley as Van Helsing's granddaughter,
Jessica Van Helsing in Hammer Films 'The Satanic Rites of Dracula' (1973
Alan Gibson)
Joanna also made
one other appearance in a Peter Cushing film, but not with Peter. Can
you name that film?? If you can’t, no matter, but do join us in wishing
Joanna a very Happy Birthday today!
We are all very
sad to hear of the passing of Patrick Macnee today. A man who, without
doubt, had incredible style on both on the screen and off it. Know
mostly for playing the role of Steed in the Brit tv series 'The
Avengers' ...in which Peter also appeared in an episode entitled Return
of the Cybernauts, with his faithful side kick Mrs Peel... Macnee also
appeared in a real horror entitled Incense for the Damned aka
Bloodsuckers...terrible. A statement on the actor's website today
reads: "Wherever he went, he left behind a trove of memories."
We are very sad indeed to hear that Brian Clemens
passed away this weekend. Clemens was a very prolific and talented film
and television producer and screenwriter. Responsible for the tv cult
series 'The Avengers' and 'The New Avengers'. Both Hammer
films, 'Dr Jekyll and Sister Hyde' and 'Captain Kronos'. He also wrote
one of the Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense' episodes in 1984, 'Mark
of the Devil'.
Our Peter Cushing connection is of course the two
'Avengers' episodes that PC appeared in, only one of them did Clemens
write, 'The Eagle's Nest' in 1978. This was the first episode of the
Avengers revival series, 'The New Avengers'. Clemens had a style that
was very much his own, mysterious, quirky and most of all quite original
and fun! Brian Clemens OBE 1931 - 2015.
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