WHEN THE JOB first came in, for artist Tom Chantrell for the Hammer
film, 'The Satanic Rites of Dracula' he was probably, as in the case
with most of Hammer's... 'design a cinema poster to show the money men
first' tried and tested plans.... given the most basic outline plot
details of the film. He knew, as well as Dracula, Christopher Lee, Peter
Cushing and girls... a black magic type of ritual was also on the
cards;) So, he started designing, as he had done with so many of
the Hammer Dracula's cinema posters before, using his camera, and
snapped a few shots of himself, in dramatic poses. These would act as
visual references, for the pose he had in mind for Dracula on the
poster. As there was a rooster / cockerel sacrifice mentioned in the
opening moments of the film plot notes, THIS gave him an idea! What
better, than an amazing central illustration of Dracula, with a blood
dripping dagger...and slain cockerel?! Bird in one hand and dagger in
the other, both held up high in a nightmare offering?
ALL WENT WELL, until the quite impressive finished art work was
presented to Hammer films! Sadly, even as amazing as it looked, it was
deemed visually, a little too harsh, and it's hints of voodoo and
demonic going on's, may caused problems with censorship, especially when
the poster was pinned to the billboards and foyers of the local Odeon,
next to a poster of 'The Artistocats' or 'Digby The Biggest Dog In The
World'...! So, Tom was told to take the dagger and the cockerel off.
AND THAT is why, we have an empty hands, arms held high, vision of the Prince of Darkness, in the UK cinema quad poster! It's interesting to see that Warner have opted for the Japanese cut and paste style cinema poster, when the film was released and distributed on DVD. Chantrell was an amazing artist, and designed many of the posters and trade art for some Peter Cushing's best films . .. including one called, Star Wars. . . .
ABOVE: ACTRESS CHIN YANG AND MIA MARTIN during the BLACK MAGIC RITUAL of THE SATANIC RITES OF DRACULA (1973)
(Still photograph copyright : Tom Chantrell) You can purchase some of
Tom's fabulous work and read about his life and career HERE and HERE!
OUR NEWS ON THE DAY THE RELEASE OF DRACULA AD AND THE SATANIC RITES OF DRACULA WAS ANNOUNCED BY WARNER BROTHERS CLICK HERE!
TODAY, the nineteenth of September we remember the late ANTHONY HINDS,
today he would have been his 97th birthday. For many Hammer film fans,
Hinds represents the 'GOLDEN YEARS' of the studios output and
production. Producer and script writer, he was responsible for some of
Peter Cushing's most revered work in the fantasy genre. When asked about
Peter and his workinng relationship, with one of Hammer films leading
actors, Hinds shared, even though Cushing could be quite exacting,
'A fuss pot'.. every detail that he paid such close attention too,
always paid off. The process of film making and shooting in studio or on
location, is an expensive business, but Peter would not be happy for
the camera to start rolling, until everything was just right. Hinds, has
a good point, it is that focus, no matter how frustrating, that helped
both he and Cushing present such wonderful films and tv drama's that are
still popular today . .
MORE ON ANTHONY HINDS CAREER IN OUR PCASUK FEATURE HERE!
IN HAMMER'S EARLY YEARS, it was Hinds idea to hire country houses and to
based the production and shooting in the rooms and grounds of the
locations, which saved the the studio huge production costs. His script
writing skills, have been picked over by many, but few could doubt his
skill in managing tight budgets, and building impressive productions,
with very limited resources and finance...and for this, he was indeed,
the 'Master Builder and Architect of Hammer films'...and for that, we
are very grateful.....
THIS SUNDAY CALLUM MCKELVIE returns with the FIRST of a THREE PART series, on the roles that created the career of PETER CUSHING. PART ONE is HERE THIS SUNDAY 23rd SEPTEMBER!
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