LETTER from #PETERCUSHING to DISNEY! Here is an interesting bit of background, that clearly illustrates Peter's passion for one particular character that he played and his efforts in expanding the options with a script, that HE actually wrote HIMSELF!
AS MANY OF YOU probably know, #Hammerfilms 1961 production of 'Captain Clegg' ran into some difficulties, before production began... the copyright of the Dr Syn stories written by Russell Thorndike's novel, which their film was to have been based on, were OWNED by Disney.. so Hammer were not allowed to use the story as per novel OR indeed the name of the central character, played by Cushing... Dr Syn. But, of course this didn't stop them, they renamed the character Clegg and came up with their own pirate story... but it was tricky. Peter loved the character and story so much, he actually wrote his own screenplay and submitted it to Tony Hinds at Hammer films, for his and director, Peter Graham Scott's consideration... as was Hammer's want, they liked their plots and detail to be as basic and cheap enough to fit their budgets.
SADLY, PETER WITH HIS EYE, for detail and a true lover of swashbuckling antics, also liked his plot to carry accurate detail and .. some expensive requirements. Hammer and Hinds winced at the costs and kindly passed on his script, and Hinds wrote their own script with additional dialogue from tv writer, Barbara S. Harper (...who she?) Not to be thwarted, Peter sent on his script to #Disney, who owning the rights, were setting up their own Dr Syn film... and were looking for an actor to play their pirate captain. Peter wasted no time, shipped off the script, his CV and a sweet request, asking that they consider him for their Captain, if possible! As it worked out, they too passed on Cushing's script and went on to cast the little known Irish actor #PatrickMcGoohan as Dr Syn in their adaption of the character in 'Dr. Syn, Alias the Scarecrow' in 1963 with a full British cast, with a more family entertainment target.
ABOVE: OUR PCASUK FULL FEATURE WITH GALLERY ON CAPTAIN CLEGG starring Peter Cushing, can be found right HERE!
HAMMER RELEASED their film as 'Captain Clegg' and 'Night Creatures' in the US in 1961. It was released as a double bill with Hammer's 'Phantom of the Opera' with Herbert Lom as 'the 'Phantom' Universal had problems not knowing HOW to market both films, so re-edited any 'horror' or 'unsuitable' plot and visuals from both films, rendering BOTH films 'tooth-less' as Hammer films and pushed them as almost 'family entertainment'! Cushing nursed his passion for the character and the stories for many years to come, hoping one day he would play him again... If you have seen BOTH films, how do you rate them? I saw Disney's 'Dr Syn' as a kid in the cinema one #Halloween and loved it. 'Captain Clegg' I watched many years later.. but I LOVE them both! - Marcus
