Friday, 30 April 2021

ON SET: 1973 LITTLE GEM AND WHERE NOT TO PLAY GOLF!

 
A RARE on set photograph of #ChristopherLee with child co star, #GwynethStrong, during the making of 'Nothing But The Night' aka 'The Resurrection Syndicate' which is a kinda snappier maybe more connected title? Both Lee and Hammer producer #AnthonyNelsonKeys were the producers of this film, produced by their company Charlemagne Productions (see what Lee did there?) in 1972. The film had a weak release in the UK in 1973, with the US waiting until 1975. It would take until Oct 2011, for the US Lee fans to see it in tv! Personally, I really like this film. Great to see #PeterCushing and Lee together, while not in roles, fighting on screen! Shades of 'Wicker Man' and a few others, but sadly ignored by the public. Over at the Facebook PCASUK Fan Page, we are asking, what do you make of this one? I think, this is a Lee and Cushing film, that is long over due a remastering and release on Blu Ray. You think??
 

A BONUS TOO, 'Nothing But The Night' is also a Peter Cushing film, that is included in our PCASUK Watch Party Play List! Click HERE and give it a screening, when you have time ;) it's a good print and maybe deserves a 'rewatch' if you have watched before?   - Marcus
 


PETER CUSHING and CHRISTOPHER LEE, take a break during shooting in Devon, for 'Nothing But the Night' . . .In his autobiography, Christopher Lee explains that while shooting this film, Lee and his friend Peter Cushing were playing golf in Thurlsdom. An angry man passing by accused them of trespassing and explained he would report them to the landlord. Lee and Cushing explained they would talk to the landlord to explain their activities before asking the landlord's name. The man replied, "His name is Charles." After Lee insisted on his last name, the man exclaimed..... "Prince Charles."
 


I AM SURE MOST OF YOU who know the BBC tv series, 'Only Fools and Horses' have recognised Gwyneth Strong, as a child here in the film and the posted pic? She had quite a demanding role for a 12 year old! Along with David Jason and other cast members of the BBC comedy, she has become a much loved institution! Along with ANOTHER cast member, Fulton MacKay who also appeared in the film and carved out a great role in the BBC comedy, 'Porridge' as warden, Mr MacKey 😊which David Jason also appeared in too!
 

YOU ARE MOST WELCOME TO JOIN US and over 34,000 others Peter Cushing followers at the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE! With posts every day, rare images and photographs, features and prize competitions.. all celebrating the LIFE and CAREER of Peter Cushing  OBE   

Thursday, 29 April 2021

'OH MY GOD! YOU ARE CHRISTOPHER LEE!' SHUDDER PULLS 'HORROR EXPRESS' INTO THE WORLD OF CREEPSHOW SEASON FINALE!


NEWS: The TV show #Creepshow will be incorporating footage from, #HorrorExpress staring #ChristopherLee and #PeterCushing into its season finale episode "Night of the Living Late Show”
 


The moment, Simon realises, 
 “You’re Christopher Lee. Oh my God, you’re Christopher Lee.”
 
 
IT'S NO SECRET that makeup effects artist and “Creepshow” executive producer #GregNicotero is a massive, lifelong fan of the horror genre who loves to pay tribute to the classics, with the Season 2 premiere of the Shudder anthology series, for starters, featuring an episode that was essentially an Evil Dead fan film. And the Season 2 finale, well, it’s cut from a similar cloth.
 


#JustinLong stars in “Night of the Living Late Show,” playing a character who uses VR technology to enter his favorite films. One of them is 1972’s Horror Express, bringing Long face-to-face with the late horror legend Christopher Lee! In the classic movie that Long’s character finds himself taking a trip into, “While travelling on the Trans-Siberian Express, an anthropologist and his rival must contain the threat posed by the former’s cargo: a prehistoric ape which is the host for a lifeform that is absorbing the minds of the passengers and crew.”
 

SIMON has invented an incredible virtual reality experience that allows him to join in on his favorite films. The idealized world of his favorite movie is no match for his normal, boring life, and he finds himself escaping to his VR chamber as often as he can… but what happens when virtual reality becomes Simon’s actual reality?”
 
THE TRAILER, which can now be seen at the Facebook PCASUK Fan Page, makes the episode look quite something! The clips are a lot of fun and fit like a glove! - Marcus
 

The Season 2 finale of Shudder’s “Creepshow” was written by #DanaGould and also stars #HannahFierman (V/H/S) and D’Arcy Carden. It premieres on Thursday, April 29!
 

YOU ARE MOST WELCOME TO JOIN US and over 34,000 others Peter Cushing followers at the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE! With posts every day, rare images and photographs, features and prize competitions.. all celebrating the LIFE and CAREER of Peter Cushing  OBE      

Tuesday, 27 April 2021

COMMITTED AND ALWAYS CONVINCING : PETER CUSHING

 
#PETERCUSHING always committed and convincing. Quote from 1974. Photograph on set during the making of 'The Uncanny' (1977) - Marcus
 

 YOU ARE MOST WELCOME TO JOIN US and over 34,000 others Peter Cushing followers at the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE! With posts every day, rare images and photographs, features and prize competitions.. all celebrating the LIFE and CAREER of Peter Cushing  OBE  

THE DAVE PROWSE AUCTION AND REMEMBERING ACTOR MICHAEL COLES

NEWS! During the casting by director, actor David Prowse was given a choice of either playing a friendly furry eight foot tall 'wookie' or playing 'the bad guy'. – Lucky for Prowse, he chose 'the bad guy' ... because bad guys, are more memorable. Well, he chose right, and cinema history was made, right there! On May 4th, the doors open on the Dave Prowse Auction, a whole mass of artefacts, memorabilia and some. 
 

THE DAVE PROWSE AUCTION is being managed by East Bristol Auctions, UK. More than 500 items are on the block, and the collection goes beyond Star Wars. Prowse kept scripts and posters from other projects and his body-building career. Auctioneer Andrew Stowe has helped organise the collection – '‘‘When I was rummaging through the boxes from his house, every now and then I’d come across something special and it would send my brain racing. In one box I’d find his 'Empire Strikes Back' script, in another I found an actual piece of the Millennium Falcon, then a little deeper down I found letters from Peter Cushing.” And what very cool correspondence they are! If you are interesting in owning something from the career of one of the kindest and most gentlest of men, here your chance. 
 
The auction is being managed by 'East Bristol Auctions UK and starts on May 04, 2021 at 9:55 AM BST. All proceeds benefit Alzheimer’s Research UK. Good Luck.. and May the Force be with You 
 

REMEMBERING MICHAEL COLES, who passed on this day, back in 2005. Born Ernest Michael Coles on 12th August 1936. Coles appeared in a mass of Brit television programmes / dramas. He appeared in THREE films with Peter Cushing, 'Dr Who and the Daleks' in 1965, Hammer films 'Dracula AD 1972 and 'The Satanic Rites of Dracula'. You'll find some great stills and banners I have made, from his pasts posts here at the Facebook PCASUK Fan Page today😊 Finding info on his life, is a bit of a challenge, but here is a little, courtesy of 'Jodean' : 
 


"Michael - contrary to previous rumours - really did die, this Wednesday, at his home of 45 years, in Drayton Gardens, Chelsea. He was 70. His career as a TV actor in the 6Os and 70s included roles in the Professionals, Sweeney, the Movie, #Randall&Hopkirk...his theatrical triumphs included Maggie May and the Laurence Plays at the Royal Court...before that he was boy sailor of HMS Ganges. There is too much to say about Michael. He was a a man who lead life to the full. He stopped acting for over 20 years and 'took his theatre to the street' - a well known character on the Fulham Road - and the Kings Road. . .
 



In the mid 90s, he revived his acting career - appearing with #LeslieGrantham in 99-1. 'Pie in the Sky' with #RichardGriffiths and Warren Clarke in Dalziel & Pascoe. The casting directors - particularly Doreen Jones and Marilyn Johnson - seemed pleased to have him back. They were all great roles. He loved it - but a heart condition brought it to an end  .
 


Michael saw 'The Producers' musical with Lee Evans on the Friday before he died, and thought it was wonderful. He spent a good deal of the rest of the night in Gerry's Club. He lived and died well, without compromise.
 
He lived and died well, without compromise.Much missed. God bless." .
 

YOU ARE MOST WELCOME TO JOIN US and over 34,000 others Peter Cushing followers at the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE! With posts every day, rare images and photographs, features and prize competitions.. all celebrating the LIFE and CAREER of Peter Cushing  OBE    

Saturday, 24 April 2021

HAMMER FILMS CENSORS NORTH SOUTH EAST AND WEST : PETER CUSHING INTERVIEW : MICHAEL ARMSTRONG VAST AUCTION @EWBANKS

OVER AT THE  FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE yesterday I posted a NEW clip from a 1973 Peter Cushing Interview. If you missed it when posted, it's still there, so click that link above and maybe learn about Cushing's experience of shooting the 'alternative European, Japanese and US' additional footage. If you are wondering why, I have of late not been actually posting the LIVE video clips, here on the PCASUK Blog, it's not about driving traffic at all really, more about YOUTUBE now slashing and pulling 'anything and everything'. Facebook too has now also banned the option of sharing links to websites and blogs on their fan pages. All part of their new policies and the stupidity of the few ruining the fan and harmless practices of others. Oh btw,  the puffing sound you hear, in this interview is Peter doing his impersonation of a 'props man' blowing smoke from his cigarette under camera below Peter in shot! Just saying... πŸ˜ŠπŸ˜‰


NEWS: Something we are seeing quite often these days, is the selling of private collections of #Hammerfilms, #PeterCushing, Amicus films and #ChristopherLee memorabilia. Some items certainly getting quite respectable estimates too. I am pleased to say, both of these items are also in the PCASUK collection, the 'Brides' poster I believe, is a reprint from the re-release of the film in the mid 1960's. Both posters were purchased in the mid 1970's for £20, from 'S and P Parker'.. who back then sold all manner of lobby stills sets, posters and press kits, for a song! Of the collectors, still breathing out there... I wonder how many of you remember 'S and P'.. or Greg Edwards too? - Marcus
 
'THE CINEMA FILM POSTER and memorabilia collection owned by one person and up for auction at Ewbank’s is so extensive the sale had to be delayed a week to complete cataloguing the content. The vast size of the Michael Armstrong collection, set for sale on Wednesday, May 7, is not its most important feature, said Ewbank’s partner and specialist Alastair McCrea.“The outstanding factor is its condition.” he said. “Mr Armstrong was the long-standing projectionist at The Regal cinema in Wymondham, Suffolk when it closed in 1993 and he kept all the promotional posters and lobby cards in first-class condition. “Unlike other posters and cinema memorabilia, they have not been damaged by changing hands from collector to collector.” Expected to fetch a hammer total of about £50,000, the 320-lot sale includes thousands of single items, comprising 25 sets of eight front-of-house cards, as well as press books, movie brochures and, of course, the posters'.
 
Highlights include posters for the 1967 British horror flick Quatermass and the Pit (estimate £700-£1,000), The Beatles’ three, Yellow Submarine (£700-£1,000), A Hard Day’s Night (£500-£800), Help! (£500-£800) and the 1960 Hammer horror classic, The Brides of Dracula (£400-£600).
 
The Michael Armstrong Cinema Collection Auction, takes place on 7th May 2021, 12:00pm at Ewbanks, Surrey.  
 

YOU ARE MOST WELCOME TO JOIN US and over 34,000 others Peter Cushing followers at the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE! With posts every day, rare images and photographs, features and prize competitions.. all celebrating the LIFE and CAREER of Peter Cushing  OBE