WHAT MAKES A GREAT SHERLOCK HOLMES : VINTAGE TRAILER : NAME THE MUSCLE MAN!

TWO FILMS and 16 Television Episodes! Over at the Facebook PCASUK Fan Page, I have asked : What Do You Think, Made Peter Cushing such a popular Sherlock Holmes? From 1959 and the Hammer film adaption of 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' the role of probably the world's most famous detective 'Sherlock Holmes', became quite permanently welded to Peter Cushing as one of his most entertaining roles... from a filmography containing over 90 motion pictures! From the many actors who portrayed Holmes, what was it in Cushing's performances that made him so popular?? . . . And as you wouks expect, there are some interesting theories and strong opinions... HERE!

A CHUMP AT OXFORD (1940) was the penultimate Laurel and Hardy film made at the Hal Roach studios. Stan Laurel played Stan / Lord Paddington, Oliver Hardy is Ollie! The film is of particular note to us, because Peter Cushing also featured in the cast.
 

#STANLAUREL was born Arthur Stanley Jefferson on the 16th June 1890, at 3, Argyle Street, Ulverston, Cumbria, England. He travelled to the US with the Karno trope, and after a long period eventually Laurel signed with the Hal Roach studio, so did Oliver Hardy, who was a member of the Hal Roach Studios Comedy All Star players...and the rest is history! If I were to pick anyone from this era of cinema history, Stan and Olly get my vote every time.

IF YOU HAVE NOT seen A Chump At Oxford, I highly recommend it, I have added the the theatrical trailer above! It's not just for an opportunity to see a young Peter Cushing at work, but also the joy of watching the skill and talent of the two 'boys'. It never got better. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Stan, you still remain head and shoulders above the rest!

#RichardBurton and Claire Bloom's 1956 production of 'Alexander the Great' might have been seen as 'not so great' at the box office, but #PeterCushing turned in a very good performance, even with such a damp squid of a script.. it also gave us a fabulous colour image like this this one, just months before Cushing's career would take such a dramatic turn!

ABOVE : HERE IS A GOOD FRIEND friend to Peter Cushing, who played more than one villain alongside him.. a STRONG character too! Over at the Facebook Fan Page, I have posted this and  asked if you name him and the two films in which he appeared with Peter Cushing? It's funny how some have complained that the question is too easy, while quite few.. are miles off and have ID the guy, incorrectly! 😀😉  

#GETTHE CUSHIONSUNDAY! TAKE YOUR PICK : LAUREL AND HARD BEHIND THE SCENES : CUSHING CLIP AND AMAZON PULLS BOOTLEGS

#GETTHECUSHIONSUNDAY! Ok I have deliberately left this post until today, Sunday's are usually busy here and even more so, on our PCAS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE where readers can comment on the thread 🙂 I have been approached by a major player in blu ray and DVD distribution... and they have asked me to supply the following... ' Select ONE HAMMER film, ONE AMICUS film and ONE from any genre from the careers of BOTH Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee from any OTHER studio....' That's it. Here you can send us a email or message, using the comment button. Can you HELP please 🙂 Let's have your suggestions.... Thank you, Marcus.

#GETTHECUSHIONSUNDAY! Here's one you may want to copy and look a little close at. Behind the Scenes photographs of from the LAUREL and HARDY film 'A Chump At Oxford' (1940) which as you probably know, also features a young Peter Cushing! Some wonderful snaps here. I love the one of Stan putting on his make up! Cushing is the one bottom left.... when Peter spoke about the film, his memories were of Olly sitting at a trolley eating donuts to keep his weight up and Stan planning the stunts and business that was happening on the shoot on those days. LOVE Laurel and Hardy and love the fact that Peter Cushing got the chance to work with them, all those years ago..... — with laurel And hardy, Peter Cushing and A Chump at Oxford.

#GETCUSHIONSUNDAY! I wonder how many of you have managed to see this great little thriller starring Stanley Baker, Peter Cushing, Jack Eric Portman and Mia Zetterling . . . ? The Man Who Finally Died, it's a real tense little thriller, that had me guessing until the end. One of my top five non fantasy genre Cushing films. Here's a neat clip, for a taster.... 


ABOVE: BACK IN THE 1990'S THE HOLSTEN PILS COMPANY used footage from 'The Man Who Finally Died' in a spoof advert for the alcohol tv advertising campaign. The clip stars Petet Cushing and UK comedian,  Griff Rhys Jones . .

UPDATED! You remember our news about a 'company' that was putting out several REALLY poor quality dvds of Cushing's films on ebay and Amazon? Well following emails and messages to those sites, the bootlegs have now been pulled. Thank you for your help on this . . .

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