THE LUCKY THIRTEEN! CAN YOU PICK YOUR FIVE ON THIS BIRTHDAY?

TODAY WE ARE MARKING THE BIRTHDAY of director TERENCE FISHER. He was a director who still, certainly needs no introduction to anyone who regularly visits this page. But when looking down the list of some of Cushing best Hammer films, it's Fisher's name that is usually attached to the finest. Fiher also believed that you should give audiences, opportunities to see beyond, what could be happening on the screen. His trade mark blend of fairy-tale, myth and sexuality, gave us some of Cushing's and Hammer films greatest hits. 'The Curse of Frankenstein', 'Dracula', 'The Mummy', 'The Gorgon', 'Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed'..... and many, many others. All absolute gems. 

HERE IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY, to try and pull from the list of THIRTEEN TITLES that Fisher made with Cushing, a 'must watch' FIVE. The idea of this task cmae from a personal experience during the holidays last Christmas, to treat myself to an indulgent  weekend, of movie watching. It wasn't easy, but it was very enjoyable! Over at the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE visitors and friends have started compiling and posting their TOP FIVE. Please feel free to join them, and help us mark the Birthday, of probably Hammer films, most popular director . . . 

Terence Fisher at home, with his wife, Morag!

Old Friends... Terence Fisher and Peter Cushing at the

Festival du Film Fantastique de Paris in 1974

PETER CUSHING and Martita Hunt in Terence Fisher's THE BRIDES OF DRACULA

TERENCE FISHER'S first film, for Hammer with Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN

CUSHING AND THORLEY WALTERS in Fisher's THIRD Frankenstein for Hammer, FRANKENSTEIN CREATED WOMAN 

PRUDENCE HYMAN AND PETER CUSHING in Hammer films THE GORGON

THE HEAT IS ON with Peter Cushing in Terence Fisher's  NIGHT OF THE BIG HEAT

WARNER BROTHERS AND 'FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE' PLUS MARKING THE BIRTHDAY OF JACK PALANCE

TODAY WE REMEMBER ACTOR:  JACK PALANCE, born on this day in 1919....everyone has a favourite Palance movie and there's many crackers to choose from..Shane, Batman, Sword of the Conquer, Hawk the Slayer, City Slickers...or even his performances as Dracula in 74 or Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde in 1968.

ABOVE AND BELOW: When Canning and Wyatt were included in our Monday Themed posts, #MONSTERMONDAY a few years ago . .

A RARE STILL: PALANCE STRIKES A POSE  for the studio stills photographer, to be included in the press packs, this shot was not included in the edit of the film, 'Torture Garden'

ABOVE: JACK WITH HIS BROTHER, IVAN in the 1962 film, 'Sword of the Conquer'

 

THE NUTS AND BOLTS of the film and Cushing and Palance's performances is covered in our THE AMICUS FILMS OF PETER CUSHING : PART TWO SERIES! Click that thread and enjoy the skip load of rare images and photographs! 

THE CUSHING CONNECTION would his be crackling performance as Ronald Wyatt in 'The Man Who Collected Poe' story in 'Torture Garden' (Amicus films 1967) A man of few words off the set, he owned his own cattle ranch and displayed other creative sides as a exhibited painter and published poet.

OUR SECOND POST of today at the Released in 1974, Peter Cushing as the 'shop keeper' and Ian Ogilvy as William Seaton in 'The Door' part of the four stories that made the Amicus films portmanteau movie, 'From Beyond The Grave'. I have often thought while walking around Cushing's home-town of Whitstable in Kent, that on turning a corner, up a narrow alleyway, that a little shop called, 'Temptations Ltd' was going to melt out of the sea-side fog!

A WHISPER.... PCASUK is.. fingers crossed... planning a something quite unusual and exciting in that little town in a few months time.

THE FILM'S SCRIPT is adapted from four short stories by R. Chetwynd-Hayes strung together about an antique dealer (Peter Cushing) who owns a shop called Temptations Ltd. and the fate that befalls his customers who try to cheat him. Stories includeThe Gate Crasher with David Warner who frees an evil enity from an antique mirror,An Act of Kindness featuring Donald Pleasence,The Elemental, and The Door. As Warner Brothers still owns this Amicus classic, we have over at the Facebook PCASUK FAN PAGE been discussing, if the success of Warner releasing the Hammer Horror Classic these last few months, might make them think about releasing THIS long time awaiting a blu ray release, soon? 

 

REMEMBERED: SIR JAMES CARRERAS : 'EVERY POSTER CAN MAKE A MOVIE!'

REMEMBERING: Sir James Carreras, born today in 1909. Son of Enrique Carreras, the co-founder of Hammer Films and the Blue Hall theatre chain... and father of Hammer film producer and director, Michael Carreras. It was JC who hit on the formula of '..design a poster for a potential film, for the backers to actually see!' A simple but very effect method. It is said that he, '..judged the success of his films not by critical plaudits, but strictly on the basis of box office returns.' Maybe so, but for a long time his approached worked, making very large profits for the backers, giving Hammer films the Queens Award to Industry Award back in 1968 and a loyal fan base that remains to this day.

OVER AT THE FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE you can find TWO posts on Sir James Carreras birthday today, including a RARE interview form 1964! Also we are asking everyone, if the can NAME two of the people in the Carreras Birthday Banner above! Any ideas? 

HAMMER FILM DIRECTOR AND WRITER Jimmy Sangster, once said that' It doesn't matter that he is selling film, this man could sell baked beans, and his approach would be the same!' During Peter's career, his agent, John Redway would only on Peter's instructions, negotiate with Carreras. It was all based on contracts, but also the word and handshake of gentlemen. He is remembered each year by Variety: The Children's Charity, with The Sir James Carreras Award. '...This Award honors the name of Sir James Carreras MBE, who served Variety International with great distinction as one of its past International Presidents. It is presented annually to a physician who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and skill in the field of pediatrics'.

WELL DONE, SIR JAMES, you are remebered with respect and dignity having having archived a great deal and helped to leave us a huge legacy in the name of your charity work, and the status of Hammer films

PASSINGS AND BIRTHDAYS MARKED AND CELEBRATED TODAY

IT IS VERY SAD TO TO HEAR about the passing of actor, Windsor Davies tonight. Windsor Davies was a Welsh actor who performed in many films and television shows between 1964 and 2004. And probably not that well know over the Atlantic, unless you are a Hammer film /Cushing fan too. Davies played the Police Sargent, who investigated the home of Veronica Carlson's home.. which was also the hidden lab and slaughter house of one, Baron Frankenstein, played by Peter Cushing. 

IT WAS ONE of the most tense scenes I can remeber in a Cushing Frankenstein film. And, Windsor played it very well indeed. To everyone else, he is best known for playing the part of Battery Sergeant Major Williams in the British sitcom It Ain't Half Hot Mum. His deep Welsh-accented voice was heard extensively in advertising voice-overs. Goodnight Windsor, you were a thundering force on stage and screen. Noson dda, Bendithiwch chi a Diolch. . .😌😉

BORN TODAY and remembered, EDGAR ALLAN POE. Such a talented and clever writer, such a sad and tragic life. Poe was an American writer, editor, and literary critic. Poe is best known for his poetry and short stories, particularly his tales of mystery and the macabre, which at times have adapted to the big screen very well, for Vincent Price in particular. The Peter Cushing connection is a short story which made part of the Amicus films, 'Torture Garden' collection in 1967. It presented one of the most interesting pieces of casting for Cushing, with Peter locked in a battle of possession, ego and wits with Jack Palance. I think Poe would have loved it! Happy Birthday Edgar. You are so missed and appreciated . . 

FIND OUT MORE about CUSHING AND PALANCE in Amicus films 'TORTURE GARDEN' in PART TWO of our Amicus Films  of Peter Cushing PART TWO : HERE!

TODAY also please join us in wishing, the lovely Linda Hayden a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY today! A talented actress best known her her roles in Hammer's Taste The Blood Of Dracula (1970), Tigon's Blood On Satan's Claw (1970) and Amicus/AIP's Madhouse (1974) with Peter Cushing and Vincent Price. We have spent motre than a little time in the past celebrating the career and roles of Linda's over the years, and one click and question into google or here at  our posts at the PCAS WEBSITE ON LINDA, will present you with Galleries and Feature! Happy Birthday, LINDA HAYDEN! 😊😉😀

A TWO PART GALLERY OF MANY RARE photographs, including LINDA HAYDEN can be found at PART ONE and PART TWO of MADHOUSE HERE!