#TBT #HAPPYBIRTHDAY AND GIF TO GINA VAMPIRE GIRL HAMMER ARTWORK AND UNCANNY CATS!

#THROWBACKTHURSDAY : Hammer films were very good at recycling things... costumes, film sets, music...and promotional artwork. Above, there is a teaser for you!

#THROWBACKTHURSDAY AND #Happybirthday to GINA the VAMPIRE GIRL, actress Andre Melly from Hammer films, 'The Brides of Dracula'. Melly, sister of the late jazz musician George, who was born this day in 1932. As the 'pretty' Gina in 'BRIDES' she terrified audiences with her ability to transform into Baron Meinster's vampire victim, all under the watchful eye and direction of Terence Fisher. Three years later she worked with Fisher again in 'The Horror Of It All' as Natalia Marley.

HERE IS A #THROWBACK to August 1977, and the release of the last film Peter Cushing was to make for Amicus producer, Milton Subotsky, 'THE UNCANNY'. The film was launched in a blaze of indifference at the Montréal Film Festival. It was produced in Canada, with a budget of some 800,000 CA Dollars. It's an odd film, a strange mix from the ol Amicus cookbook, that makes a recipe for something that should have been a whole lot tastier! I am still at a loss why the film was also released under the title of 'Brrrr!'? 'Puuuurrr' YES! 'Brrrr!' no. 

'THE UNCANNY' has a great cast, with Cushing acting as the linkage again, with Ray Milland. He plays a nervous wreck called Wilbur Gray. Cushing was not the original choice for casting, but fits the role very well. Is it possible to have a strength in playing the weak???? Donald Pleasence is on board with Cushing again, and even manages to get a photo of himself, as Blofeldt complete with white cat from the James Bond film 'you only live twice' in on the act. Much of the film is delivered in a black comedy style, which maybe confused audiences at the time. But I think it's a great film, with lots of variety and a very entertaining cast.

DONALD FEARNEY'S AMICUS AND HAMMER DOCUMENTARY PRIZES ON THEIR WAY!

Nothing gives me more pleasure than giving away prizes in our competitions! Especially when they are DOUBLE prizes. ALL SIX winners of our VALENTINE'S DAY I LOVE HORROR FILMS COMPETITION can look forward to a PAIR of darn good double bills of Cushing/ Hammer/ Amicus documentaries arriving in the post in the next few days. Donald Fearney's MILTON SUBOTSKY'S AND MAX J ROSENBERG'S AMICUS: VAULT OF HORRORS and LEGEND OF HAMMER VAMPIRES documentaries are being shipped today... and with the Amicus doc alone being almost three hours long... I think there will be enough in this double bill to entertain, until the NEXT PCAS competition! If you would like to purchase a copy of either documentary, please contact me by facebook message, and I will happily provide you with the details. Stocks of both titles are now down to double figures. BOTH discs are REGION FREE.

Here at PCAS, I take pride in offering PRIZES that count! I scout out the best of Peter Cushing goodies out there, and then find companies and distributors to sponsor our competitions. I cover the expense of post and packaging,  all our competitions are free, no catch, no passing of emails and mailing lists. Dvd's, blu rays, box sets, books, magazines, lobby cards, t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, posters, bespoke artwork, autographs, rare movie props...even dinner with a Cushing Film Director!! But, not everything out there makes it to selection for inclusion in our competitions. Being a life long fan, I only select what I would love to have as an addition in my collection too!

 

Whatever the PCAS competition, whatever the prize, you can always guarantee a very good response. Everyone has fun and enters into the spirit, and after announcing the winners, it's not unusual to read a long thread of messages of congratulations, to the lucky winners. As I always say, I only wish I had more prizes to give away!