#MONSTERMONDAY : DR LAWRENCE AND A SEPIA TRIBUTE

#MONSTERMONDAY: Peter Cushing's performance as Dr Lawrence in Tyburn films, 'The Ghoul' is exceptional, on many levels. I can't help wondering whenever I watch him in this role, how he manages to be involved in such bizarre and ruthless acts, and yet... I feel such pity for the character. Watching the story unfold, as Lawrence reveals his past, all skirts very closely to 'Art imitating Life', as both the Doctor and Peter Cushing emotionally crumple before our eyes. It could be called, a masterclass in using 'emotive memories' ...if it wasn't for the fact that, for Cushing like Lawrence, it wasn't about recalling the past...it was living with the loss and pain today....

ABOVE A FIRST for our YOUTUBE CHANNEL! As part of this week's #MONSTERMONDAY we present a film, made in the tradition of 'The Old Dark House', 'Psycho' and many many other 'thing in the attic' movies. 'The Ghoul' stands as one of three films that Peter Cushing made with Tyburn films. 'Legend of the Werewolf' and 'The Masks of Death' being the other two. All three films have a quality and pace that very much bucked the trend of the time, and producer Kevin Francis, should be acknowledged for having the back-bone, to present these films, in a style, standard and production value, that would have been considered, out of step by many. 

It is that style, that gives comfort and a quality, that was vanishing quicker than a vamp down a rat hole, at the first glimmer of sun-rise! Soon, all would be lost and stab, slash, scream and dismember would become the replacement for tension, suspense and a quality control hold on the body count. Having said that, many could and do site The Ghoul, as one of the very early slasher movies. Maybe so, but with the presence of Peter Cushing, the ageless beauty of Carlson and Bastedo and the bumpkin weirdness of the late, John Hurt.... things never slip so far as to become blood-lusty and just bad taste. The Ghoul is Kevin Francis homage to all those classics, where, just the THOUGHT of what could be in that room, out-strips the reveal of a million masked, chopper swinging, chain-saw buzzing, yawn fests, parts one, two, nine and TEN! It's a great shame that Tyburn had to leave us so soon, we were on the edge of our seats and just getting comfy! 

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#MONSTERMONDAY: LORD DRACULA: ONE THAT GOT AWAY

ON JULY 12TH 1973, Peter Cushing's agent John Redway wrote to  BBC producer Anthony Cornish about a radio script by Brian Hayes called 'LORD DRACULA'. Hayes had worked in the realm of fantasy themed projects for many years. Including being the writer behind several BBC DOCTOR WHO episodes, principally The Celestrial Toy Maker in 1966, The Ice Warriors in 1967 and 69. He was also one of the writers behind the tv series, DOOMWATCH from 1970 until 1972.  

Brian Hayles was born in Portsmouth, UK in 1930. His early aim in life was to be a sculptor, although this dream subsided after a brief trip to Canada. When he returned to the UK, he started to write for BBC Radio's "The Archers". He then began writing for TV and worked on "Doctor Who" on several occasions starting with 'The Celestial Toymaker' and 'The Ice Warriors. On  October 30, 1978 aged just 48, Brian Hayes died while working on the  "Arabian Adventure". Keith Miles's novelisation for Mirror Books, was dedicated to his memory.  

'PETER CUSHING THOUGHT IT, very good and even talks about it as the basis for 'A splendid definitive DRACULA epic film! He would be interested to take it further as a radio series.' Later, it was suggested the script and treatment be reworked as a 'one-off' BBC 'Saturday Night Theatre' production, but by this time in the events, Peter Cushing was no longer attached to the idea. However, the play DID finally make it to the radio  and was broadcast on APRIL 4t h 1974:

SATURDAY NIGHT THEATRE: LORD DRACULA....1974
'Revolting drama about Vlad the Impaler. Made me feel sick listening to it. Impaling people on stakes'.- Review Daily Mirror.  Script Brian Hayles, Broadcast : 27.4.74. Kenneth Haigh, Nigel Stock.

SYNOPSIS:

'When Father Benedict was young and filled with pride for truth, he had travelled the villages of the land with Father Emmanuel, preaching their faith boldly. One day, word reached them to attend Lord Dracula at his court at Tirgoviste. They came bravely, for they knew the horrifying reputation of the man but he greeted them most courteously. When Lord Dracula asked them what his people think of him, Father Emmanuel replied that they say all manners of good things. All men hold him in honour and affection and that there is no man that does not call him noble. He then asks Father Benedict who told him the truth: that they call him tyrant and that he is renowned only for his violent cruelty. Vlad rewarded the honest monk for his integrity and courage and impaled the sycophant for his dishonesty. 

Now, Father Benedict begins to write a chronicle of the year 1476, at the command of the King of Hungary and his ecclesiastical superiors, who resolve him of the evils that he has witnessed. The story begins at the mighty castle of Tirgoviste, where Father Benedict served as chaplin and chancellor to the Prince of Wallachia and Transylvania - the most cruel of men yet once the most just of rulers. Known now and to the future of his more legendary names: Vlad Tepes,The Impaler, and of a more darker meaning still, Lord Dracula. 

CAST:

Kenneth Haigh [Vlad Tepes,The Impaler], Nigel Stock [Father Benedict Estagen], Diane Orkin [Melitsa, a Witch], John Rowe [Lord István, Vlad's son from his first marriage], Gareth Armstrong [Brother Jakob], Heddy Nicholas [The Lady Ilonia, King of Hungary's sister and Vlad's Second Wife], and Don Henderson [Captain Ferenc].

Also in the cast were George Woolley, Betty Malet, Patricia Green, Graham Rigby, and Philip Barber. Directed by Anthony Cornish at BBC Birmingham

YOU CAN HEAR THE WHOLE EPISODE : HERE

However, it did not stop there, Hammer films, Michael Carreras bought up the film rights after receiving calls from Hammer producer Anthony Keys and his son James Carreras, both raving about the play, when it finally reached radio without Peter Cushing! Hammer had great plans and aimed high, with a film that was planned to be directed by Ken Russell (Tommy, The Lair of the White Worm). Richard Burton, Richard Harris and . . . Christopher Lee, were all rumored to have been attached to the film's selling pitch at some point, but the project as with many Hammer projects at this time, failed to find funding and was eventually shelved.

#MONSTERMONDAY: 'I AM ALWAYS OPEN' OFFERS YOU CAN'T REFUSE . . .

#MONSTERMONDAY: WE DO NOT KNOW HIS NAME, but we know his deeds and that is he one deadly tease! The Shop Proprietor of the Amicus film 'FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE' (1974) is perhaps one of the strangest roles that Peter Cushing ever played for Amicus films, not counting Dr Terror, of 'DR TERROR'S HOUSE OF HORRORS' (1965) They both were in the business of dealing in fate and death, one predicting it, the other from the confines of his shop called 'Temptations Limited, doing just that...tempting'. Dr Terror just foretold what was in store, however, this little chap, does try to lead astray, some poor weak, unfortunates who are already walking a very narrow and slippery path. So, what do YOU think? Is he a MONSTER for tempting the weak ? OR is he just a kindly ol man, just trying to eke out a living in a junk shop? YOU DECIDE!

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#MONSTERMONDAY: THE CHEMICAL BROTHER: TERROR IN A TOP HAT

 

#MONSTERMONDAY : Here's a particularly nasty fellow. Not even slipping under the pseudonym of Mr Blake, can HIDE this particular monster . . . Christopher Lee as Mr Blake in 'I, Monster' Amicus films 1971.

PETER CUSHING IN A ON SET PHOTOGRAPH FROM 'I, MONSTER' 

 

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#MONSTERMONDAY: CHRISTOPHER LEE AS THE MUMMY: KHARIS COMES CALLING!

THIS WEEK'S #MONSTERMONDAY GALLERY COMES AS A REQUEST FROM FOLLOWER WILLIAM STERRY. WILL NOMINATES THIS AS MAYBE HIS FAVOURITE' CUSHING / LEE STAND OFF, ONLY SECOND TO THE CLASSIC 'STAND OFF' IN HAMMER FILMS, ''DRACULA' 

'I REMEMBER WATCHING THE SCENE WHERE KHARIS STORMS THE HOME OF JOHN BANNING PLAY BY PETER CUSHING. THE TENSION, WAITING WITH CUSHING, FOR  THE MUMMY TO APPEAR WAS UNBEARABLE.' SAYS WILLIAM.'

'AS THE MUSIC BUILDS, YOU KNOW HE'S COMING! THE QUESTION IS, HOW IS HE GOING TO GET IN? AND WHEN HE DOES, THAT...COMES AS SUCH A SUPRISE!'

IT'S OUR 60TH ANNIVERSARY PCAS 1956 -2016!

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#MONSTERMONDAY RETURNS WITH REQUESTED VINTAGE IMAGES AND STILLS

First request for our REBOOT of #monstermonday comes from PAUL CHADWICK who has requested images from TWO Peter Cushing films, HORROR EXPRESS (1972) and THE CREEPING FLESH (1973). Hope you like the images, Paul!

A SIGNED promotion photograph from The Creeping Flesh. Spot Hammer film regular, Michael Ripper in the foreground here!

Christopher Lee plays  Peter Cushing's brother, James Hildren in The Creeping Flesh. Here we see him trying to piece how he can...well, that would be giving away the story....!

A terrified Peter Cushing in The Creeping Flesh...and if you had seen what he has seen, you would be terrified too!

A RARE PHOTOBUSTA from The Creeping Flesh (1973)

Christopher Lee takes on a zombie Cossack in HORROR EXPRESS. The excellent zombies in this film gave us our first new convincing undead frighteners, since Hammer films, 'PLAGUE OF THE ZOMBIES' .

Peter Cushing poses for a promotion photograph  on board the footplate of the train that was used in the film, Horror Express.

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