THE GENTLE MAN OF HORROR : RARE POSE FOR THE PRESS PLUS RARE BEHIND THE SCENES ON THE DR WHO DALEK MOVIES!

PETER CUSHING POSES for a publicity pic around the mid 1980's during the publication of his two autobiographies. Over at the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE, we are asking followers to, note the walking cane... 'now which Cushing film was that used in, do you think?'

BEHIND THE SCENES GALLERY on the set of BOTH Peter Cushing Dr Who movies : Just CLICK HERE!

EVERY LITTLE HELPS! A SURPRISE AND A LITTLE EXTRA FOR YOUNG PETER CUSHING FAN AT TESCO'S!

FOR COLLECTORS of Peter Cushing material and any other full time movie fans, there is a preoccupation, that seems to kick in, anytime we are in town, out shopping or visiting a high street or mall. Personally, my first trip is into any book shop. I change spectecles and scan the shelves looking for something interesting. I can usually find something, but it's rarely as rewarding as where I venture off to next. The CHARITY shop! I have lost count of the many messages and stories I have received at the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE from the many of you who have bagged a bargian finding hardback releases of the very popular Alan Frank 'Horror Movies' books from the 1970's and 80's. For some of us, these book were purchased when we were teenagers, read and read until the glue spine broke, pages fell out, and the book get lost and parted company, when we left home for Uni or to start our own families. Finding any of these books, after a sometime 30 or more years separation, is like meeting an old friend!

SO MANY CHARITIES now, have moved into our high streets in the UK. Every one of these stores seems to be packed and selling clothing, second hand shoes, small furniture and what my Mum used to call, 'Bric-a-brac'! All for a reasonable price, but it isn't any of those tidd bits, which brings me in. I am after BOOKS. If I can find any book that has a film angle, I'll pick it up, and if it isn't something I want to keep after reading, I'll take it back, for the store to resell. There have been a few days, that have resulted in a real find, but nothing as good a find, as JAKE CRACKNELL made a few months ago . . 

JAKE LIVES on the Isle of Wight. And on this day, Jake was shopping on his own, in his local 'Tesco Extra; supermarket. 'I was just doing some shopping by myself. Went to the check out, filled my bags and just as I was leaving the store, I noticed they had a charity book shelf. I could see they had quite a few books and they were all being sold for a donation. So, I put my bags down and had a look. As usual with these type of things, there were lots of romantic novels, which don't interest me. I am a huge Peter Cushing and Star Wars fan, so anything on that, would make me very happy.' says Jake. It was while he scanned the spins of the books and paperbacks, he spotted a spine that was dark blue, and unbelievably, he could see the name, CUSHING in gold lettering! ' I couldn't believe it, it was a hardback of Peter Cushing's Biography Volume One!' says Jake. 'I quickly picked it up, checked the dust cover for any damage. It was just like new! I couldn't beleive my luck! So, making my contribution in the charity box, I popped it in my bag and made off for home.' 

THAT WAS THREE MONTHS AGO. Just two days ago, Jake sent us a message. 'I was in Tesco's a few months ago, and was lucky to find a copy of Peter Cushing's autobiography in a charity book pile! I was very happy to find it and now have my own copy. A few days ago, I thought I would start to give it a read' Then Jake's message got very interesting. 'The book had been clumsily stacked with the others in the charity pile at the supermarket, and the dust cover flap had slipped and was folded in and over, holding the first few pages of the book. It was only when I opened it, and rearranged the pages and put the dust cover leaf back in place, I noticed something written on the title page in ink!! 'STEPHEN : 86 : Peter Cushing'. I am REALLY SHOCKED! Please could you tell me if this IS Peter Cushing's autograph? Many Thanks, Jake.'

JAKE HAD MADE the rare find of bagging a SIGNED Peter Cushing Autobiography, in a charity box pile! I KNOW Tesco's strap line slogan is 'EVERY LITTLE HELPS' and they provide what they say is a LITTLE XTRA' but this purchase was certainly, special with MORE than a little extra! I have often had messages from many of you who have found copies of BOTH autobiographies in charity stores, for a POUND or LESS! But, this is the first time, I have heard of a SIGNED one being found. I wrote back to Jake and told him, he was a lucky chap! It was indeed, Peter's signature. Well done! Jake is one of many younger followers to this society, who are just as interested in Peter's work and films as we are. What an amazing bit of luck to have found not just a copy of Peter's book, but a signed copy. For those of you, who this weekend have cruised your weekly trip into the charity shops and their book piles, have faith. It MIGHT just happen again!

SUPRISE CORRECTIONS FOR FANS AFTER MANY YEARS ON!

IF YOU EVER posted your much prized copy of Peter Cushing's second autobiography, 'PAST FORGETTING' to him at his home in Whitstable in 1988 for him to sign, you may have been one of the lucky ones, to also get a little extra! The printing run of the book unfortunately had a few printers typo errors, on pages 92, 10 and 14 . . which when Peter was signing your copy, he also took the time and trouble to correct those errors, with his most unmistakeable fountain pen and handwriting. Here is an example of those pages with his corrections. Quite a few of our followers at the the PCASUK Facebook Fan Page have posted on the thread of this post today, also telling us they too have found corrections on their signed copy . . bit only found it either today or quite recently! It's just as well he isn't around to see some of MY regular typos hereat the website and on the PCAS Facebook Page . . they would keep him very busy! Many thanks to my good friend, Linda King for sharing the pages of her copy!

YOU'LL FIND TODAY'S POST AND AN ARCHIVE OF MOST OF OUR PCASUK WEBSITE POSTS FROM THE LAST EIGHT YEARS AT THE FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE! IF YOU ENJOY OUR POSTS AND WANT TO COMMENT OR DISCUSS THE WORK AND LIFE OF PETER CUSHING, COME AND JOIN OVER THIRTY THREE THOUSAND OTHERS, AND TAKE PART IN THE OLDEST PETER CUSHING FAN CLUB, NOW ON FACEBOOK BOOK! ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CLICK HERE  AND THEN CLICK LIKE THERE! YOU'LL BE MOST WELCOME!

THE TELLER AND THE TALE

'The TELLER and The TALE' as spoken by Peter Cushing in the tribute montage video we post earlier today. Written by a Peter Cushing fan, MARY ANN ROSBERG in 1978. and appears in Peter Cushing autobiography, 'Past Forgetting' . .

REMEMBER! IF YOU LIKE what you see here at our website, you'll  love our daily themed posts at our PCAS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE.  Just click that blue LINK and click LIKE when you get there, and help us . . Keep The Memory Alive!. The Peter Cushing Appreciation Society website, facebook fan page and youtube channel are managed, edited and written by Marcus Brooks, PCAS coordinator since 1979. PCAS is based in the UK and USA   

#THROWBACKTHURSDAY! REPACKAGING THE CLASSICS : HANDS AND FANGS!

#THROWBACKTHURSDAY! REPACKAGING Cushing and Hammer films classic films for new sales and audiences, sometimes throws up the most interesting box designs . . . what do we think of the covers of these two #HAMMERFILM classics: #bridesofdracula and #eviloffrankenstein ???

UPDATE: AN INTERESTING comment on our PCASFACEBOOK FAN PAGE
from ZAK PEARSON who says, :  'I don't know why these companies don't just use the original posters, gorgeous lush hand painted posters already in existence, rather than these very clinical designs?'.

WE ANSWERED: ' . . .Some of the films the media rights, posters, stills actually are not included in the license of having rights to distribute the film. Although many dvd and blu ray distributors flaunt this fact when they include the stills and posters in the extras... in the case of many of Hammers films films, the media rights are owned by a completely different company, to who owns the rights of the actual film . .. and some differ from country and territory . .to use the poster on the cover, would mean an paying extra lolly, so easier and cheaper, to have a new and bespoke design for the release . .'   

#THROWBACKTHURSDAY: WHAT AN INTERESTING, unusual painting and study for artists Sharon Wong to have painted...? I had to share it with you today . . .I have added quote by Peter's late wife, Helen Cushing on her observations about Peter, from the very first time she met him...and fell in love. . . taken from Peter's autobiography, it may have provided the inspiration for the painting perhaps? What do you make this? - Marcus

#THROWBACKTHURSDAY! AND FINALLY, here's a smashing photograph of actress KATE O'MARA, standing outside the WATFORD ODEON CINEMA back in October 1970, posing with  poster of  Hammer films, 'THE VAMPIRE LOVERS', in which she starred with Ingrid Pitt, Peter Cushing and Douglas Wilmer. Good for her!

IF YOU LIKE what you see here at our website, you'll  love our daily themed posts at our PCAS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE.  Just click that blue LINK and click LIKE when you get there, and help us . . Keep The Memory Alive!. The Peter Cushing Appreciation Society website, facebook fan page and youtube channel are managed, edited and written by Marcus Brooks, PCAS coordinator since 1979. PCAS is based in the UK and USA  . .

#SILENTBUTDEADLY : A COUPLE OF CRACKING GIFS REQUESTED BY COUPLES!

#SILENTBUTDEADLY: WELCOME TO OUR WEEKLY WEDNESDAY REQUESTED GALLERY:  GIFS HAVE NO AUDIO. ARE SILENT, THEY HAVE BEEN SELECTED FROM MOMENTS OF HIGH DRAMA AND HORROR IN THE WORK OF PETER CUSHING . . . . 

THIS WEEK'S GIF GALLERY has been requested by partners and couples who are fans of the work of Peter Cushing and follow our facebook fan page and website! 

#SILENTBUTDEADLY: IF CHRISTOPHER LEE IS in the cast of a movie, and he is going to die, you know, you are going to get value for your money! Lee died a thousand deaths in movies, and his death scenes total over 20 or more, ...a fact that wasn't lost on the late Sir Christopher himself...he devoted an entire chapter to the subject in his autobiography, 'Tall, Dark and Gruesome: Lord of Misrule'. I have intend over the years, to actually draw up a list of my favourite top ten Christopher Lee Deaths, but as yet, I can't settle on the titles, as there is SO MUCH to choose from! That wasn't a problem for Fang Girl and Fang Boy who sent us a message this week, and voted, Lee meeting his sticky end in Planet films, 'Night Of The Big Heat' (1966) their all time fav. Death by sucking! Next time you are in your local McDonald's treating yourself to one of their tasty THICK SHAKES, and you can't get the thing started, just call 011-666-SILICATE-SUCK-MY-SHAKE, and one will be around in a jiffy, and will get that sucker up the straw and pumping, in a jiffy!

YOU CAN SEND US YOUR REQUESTS FOR OUR WEEKLY GIF GALLERY BY EITHER MESSAGING US  AT OUR PETER CUSHING FACEBOOK FAN PAGE OR BY EMAILING YOUR REQUEST  BY EMAIL: PETERCUSHINGPCAS@GMAIL.COM

A DREADFUL RECOGNITION : PETER CUSHING as Prof Mayback Von Klaus in the New Avengers episode, 'The Eagle's Nest' (1976). Von Klaus was kidnapped and set to work resurrecting a deceased individual from the world's past. It is here that the identity of who he brought back from the dead, is revealed. A very good story, and perfect for the rebooting of The Avengers television series. That Cushing should be chosen to star in that first episode, is a nice touch. Cushing had played Paul Beresford in the 1967 'Return of the Cybernauts' episode, a popular, stand out story in the series. Mrs and Mr Peel of Doncaster, England (!!) Have asked for anything from the 'Eagle's Nest' episode. I thought, this was a would do the trick!

THE RESURRECTED: DIGGING UP THE DEAD is the stuff of nightmares, and so it is in Hammer films, 'Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell' (1974). The Baron's latest creation, goes on the rampage in the grounds of the asylum, where he is held captive, on escaping into the grounds, he goes in search of some answers, and hopes one of those answers is to be found in the asylum cemetery. 

WATCHING THIS film recently with friends, we touched on how the creature is shown in a light of great sympathy in his scenes. Much time is given to the exploring of the impact suffered by the resurrected character, who becomes the Baron's latest project. Dave Prowse has never got recognition for the role he played as the Creature in this film. It's one thing to try and emote pathos for such a pathetic creature, it's another trying to do some with a couple of pounds of latex rubber on your face an body. Many on watching can't get passed the somewhat clumsy arrangement of the make up and costume, and for them, that completely distracts and spoils the film. Personally, I forgave the short coming of the budget and make up years ago, and take much pleasure from the performances of Cushing, Shane Briant, Madeline Smith, Prowse and the assembled 'top draw' cameos, seen by many as the weakest in the series, in my humble, it ranks with the all-time best. Mr Robin and Terry Maggs, hold this opinion too, and requested this shot specifically....Yesterday was the anniversary of the LONDON OPENING of this film, May 2nd 1972, even though the film was made TWO YEARS PREVIOUSLY in 1974! Sadly, it didn't perform well. Do you think the years have been kinder to this film??

IF YOU LIKE what you see here at our website, you'll  love our daily themed posts at our PCAS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE.  Just click that blue LINK and click LIKE when you get there, and help us reach our 30K following total for Peter Cushing BIRTHDAY on MAY 26th 2017 AND Help Keep The Memory Alive!

TARKIN: MAYBE CUSHING WOULD HAVE LIKED THE CGI AFTER ALL!

#TOOCOOLTUESDAY After the initial wave of interest and wonder at the results of Peter Cushing's CGI Tarkin appearance in #ROGUEONE, there was a subtle turn of opinion in the press and tabloids, about the question of what Peter Cushing would have made of it all. This quote doesn't provide the answer, but it does shed some light onto his desire to have appeared in another appearance in the #STARWARS saga. What do you think? — with Peter Cushing, Grand Moff Tarkin, Rogue One and Star Wars.

 

 

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THE STORY OF THE CUSHING NOTES AND BUREAU

#‎cushingcollectable‬ : WEDNESDAY: You may remember these posts from two Wednesday's ago? And after posting them, I promised to share the story of how I came to own those handwritten autobiography notes of Peter Cushing's...Well....the top post is Peter Cushing's Bureau, purchased just a few years ago. I was lucky to purchase it from a lady, who lived a short distance from Peter Cushing's home at Sea View in Whitstable.

HER HUSBAND HAD BEEN a great fan of Peter's work and he purchased the bureau at the Cushing Collection Auction in Canterbury after Peter Cushing died. Sadly, he too passed a year or so before I purchased the bureau, and his wife was slowly down scaling down her home and relocating.

WHEN THE TIME CAME to go along to her home to collect the bureau, it was quite an emotional parting for her, it was her husband's pride and joy. But when she found out 'where' the bureau's new home was going to be and about PCAS, she was over-joyed! During our meeting at her home, we had some tea and cake and chatted, and found out geographically, we had much in common too!

AFTER AN HOUR OR SO, the time came to carry the bureau out and carefully pack it up for it's journey to my home. I thanked her and told her how extremely pleased I was to be it's new owner, that it would be very well looked after and also pressed into use too!

IT WAS AT THIS POINT, she asked ' Oh, would you also like to take away these too?' She held out a plastic slip folder. Through the ageing and yellowing plastic, I could see inside, a wad of paper, and on the one corner, held by two large paper clips I could just make out lines of handwriting, in blue fountain pen ink! At the same time, I immediately recognised that distinctive style.. it was Peter Cushing's handwriting.

WHILE CAREFULLY SLIDING the paper out from the folder, I looked at her..she was smiling! I said, 'It's Peter's handwriting!!' She beamed back at me, 'Yes!', she said, she was as excited as I was! 'My husband said it was, but I have no idea what it all means. Is it an unfinished letter, he seems to be writing...is it his story and are all those titles his films too?' I barely heard what she had said, I was quickly scanning the pages. It was pretty obvious, these were notes about the contents of Peter's autobiography, in his own hand. 'It's Peter's notes.!', I said 'It's his autobiography. How wonderful! They are very rare indeed, you must be sure to take great care of them.' I said, 'Oh no..' she smiled, 'I want YOU to have them!'

QUICKLY, I DID THE SUMS in my head of their value and blurted, ' Well, that's extremely kind of you, but, I could not buy these today, I have...' but before I could finish, she laughed saying, 'Oh nooo. I WANT you to HAVE them. They should be with you!' I started to explain their value, a nice little break away with the proceeds maybe? But, she wouldn't listen, 'No. I am quite happy with the sale of the bureau...'

IT WAS THEN SHE said something that made my jaw drop so hard, the bump of it hitting the hall carpet could probably be heard down at Sea View.... ' My husband, didn't pay for them anyway..' I was puzzled, 'So, how did you come by them?' I asked. 'Oh, they were just inside THE BUREAU......!' 'What?' I said. 'They were in the pull down desk, in that folder!' she explained. 

I THEN REMEMEBERED what many collectors had told me about the Canterbury auction. There had been so many lots, Peter had so much packed into his home and studio, when it came to dividing things into lots, often someone winning a bid on a book that belonged to Peter, got home and opened it to find an autographed note paper inside. People who purchase items of his clothing found scarves, silk handkerchiefs, cuff-links and pens tucked into them! It was something special, some extra item, however small, a thank you for your purchase..as there was mountains of items to sell. The bureau had been in the auction catalogue, as one of the very few pieces of Peter Cushing's furniture for sale... an expensive antique and a good price was expected, and archived!

AND SO, that is the astonishing story, of how I came by those notes...and the generosity of two women, the lovely lady who owned the bureau and Peter's long time friend, Joyce Brougton, who put the lots together for that auction! Bless you, ladies!

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UPDATED EVERY DAY!

YET MORE GREAT GIFS AND COOL STUFF FOR A TUESDAY!

It's #TOOCOOLTUESDAY and as always, here is a collection of random yet, connected items, brought to you because of their association with the ever so cool, Mr Peter Cushing...!

WE SHARED this RARE archive photograph on the PCAS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE TODAY, and asked our friends and followers, who was it posing with 'the wigs', beard and ....missing tooth?

THE ANSWER can be revealed in the photograph above and the banner at the top of this post... they are none other than, stars of 'AT THE EARTH'S CORE' Caroline Munro and Doug McClure, wearing the wigs and beards that would be worn by the actors who would play the 'primitive cave people' in the film. Though the 'missing front tooth' of Mr McClure, is quite genuine!

TRIVIA: Peter Cushing for much of his professional life, from 1948 onwards, wore a front denture. It's mentioned in his autobiography that he lost the original tooth, playing rugby! A bit of publicity spin there, I am afraid. Cushing suffered a tooth infection, just before his shooting of Osric in Olivier's film, 'Hamlet'. In fact, loosing the tooth came in handy during the making of the BBC production of George Orwell's '1984' in 1954. Never one to miss an opportunity to use props, some business, or indeed anything that would add authenticity to his performance, Cushing REMOVED his 'one tooth plate'  for the horrifying 'Room 101' scenes in the climax of the television drama. It really enhances his emaciated and broken appearance. Vanity never got in the way, of Cushing's quest in perfecting a role...and how cool, is THAT?

Here's another selection of GIF'S that have appeared on the Peter Cushing Appreciation Society Facebook Fan Page over the past few days, giving us our EIGHTH PCAS GIF GALLERY!

..AND HERE, is some MORE Caroline Munro! This time as the poor Laura Beddows in Hammer films, DRACULA AD 1972  with Christopher Lee. It doesn't end well, I am afraid....

FROM THE SAME Hammer film, Peter Cushing as Van Helsing, not for the first time, is locked in a struggle to once again destroy the Count, and in this shot..not doing too well...

When not slapping around vampire hunters, biting faire maidens, Christopher Lee was the meekest of men. And here, we see him at home in 1974 with his wife, Birgit and daughter, Christina, in the cutest of family scenes. This shot was featured in the documentary, 'In Search of Dracula' (1974) in which Lee himself goes in search of the origins of the bloody Count!

Peter Cushing once again in the role of a vampire hunter, with a twist. This, one Gustav Weil, belongs to a merry band of called the 'Brotherhood' who see it as their job to rid the town of surge of vampires and  one in particular called, Count Karnstein, there's that name again, played by Damian Thomas, in his one and only role for Hammer films in 'TWINS OF EVIL'. By this time, Hammer were finding it hard to keep the ol 'vampire fire a-burning' so new and ever more inventive plots and schemes had to be invented, when Christopher Lee, dig in his heels and said a very firm, NO! What they came up with in this case, is one of the very best deviations. TWINS, beautiful one's at that, played by the quite credible Collinson sisters, Mary and Madeline. Yet again, all certainly doesn't end well in this saga either, with the final reel playing out like a Greek tragedy. With death, destruction and the offing of even poor ol Peter, it's enough to make anyone, loose their head!  

HAMMER FILMS had been toying with the idea of following the Universal Frankenstein films track, as far back as 1959, when the REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN , switched themes from 'creating a woman' to unleashing a killer with a  taste for human flesh, a cannibal  creation, instead. It took a few years for the subject to re-emerge, as 'FRANKENSTEIN CREATED WOMAN'  in 1967. The woman was the lovely, Susan Denberg, who keep the body count going while keep the dirty mac brigade happy at the same time...and still does! 

 

AND FINALLY, a shot from a film that sadly, when released joined the party, when the music had stopped, the last of the booze had gone and everyone was collecting their platform shoes and bomber jackets from the cloakroom! Tigon films, tale of terror, sadly came on the tail end of the horror film craze in the UK, and never received the attention it so deserved! 'THE CREEPING FLESH', despite it's hacky title, is a great little film, with knock out performances from Lee and Cushing...and the BIGGEST skeleton you've ever seen..if you don't count, Victoria Beckham! 

Amicus had already made 'THE SKULL' in 1965, a SKULL WITH NO BODY, floating around for revenge, now Tigon tapped into the, SKULL WITH A BODY, also lightly floating around and seeking revenge. Revenge, for quite a silly reason really, as was scriptwriters wants back in the day, if the plot had to be about revenge, it was driven sometimes by the flimsiest of reasons. And this film, falls into that ditch. BUT, it is still is head and shoulders, above most fantasy films of this time... definitely worth catching, and is WELL over due it's release on blu ray...are you listening Twilight Time???

MORE COOL STUFFS, NEXT TUESDAY....how cool is that? 

Written by Marcus Brooks.

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