LEGEND HORROR CLASSICS AND REMEMBERING CHARLES GRAY : MYCROFT : MOCATA : ROCKY HORROR!

TODAY WE REMEMBER Charles Gray, who is best remembered for his outstanding performance as the evil Mocata opposite Christopher Lee in Hammer’s The Devil Rides Out (1968) and his role as 'the narrator' in 'The Rocky Horror Show' … other memorable roles in include Ernst Stavro Blofeld in Diamonds Are Forever (1971) and Mycroft Holmes in The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes TV Series… His Peter Cushing connection is that he co-stared with him in Amucis’s film The Beast Must Die (1974)

MORE ON THE BEAST MUST DIE HERE!

THIS WEEKS MAGAZINE FOCUS centres on a weird little UK series called. 'LEGEND HORROR CLASSICS'  Riding on the popularity of the UK Monster Mag, this too was a fold out eight panel affair. There was no huge flip side poster, instead a whole comic strip adaption of a 'Horror Classic' film. The first issue arrived in time for the release of the Dan Curtis adaption of DRACULA starring Jack Palance and Simon Ward. The whole thing sadly was stretched rather thin, with what room there was for editorial, the writing was rather limp and sparse. The comic strip art, was no way in the same league as the 'Hammer House of Horror' magazines, that were to follow, but as a 25 pence pocket money treat it gave a good deal to any youngsters, finding the likes of Hammer films, Cushing and Lee for the first time.  

EVEN THOUGH THE FOCUS was on the Curtis 1974 DRACULA release, both CUSHING and LEE are given a full page picture treatment, with PC looking rather funky in a comic art dotex version of the very familiar publicity photograph BARON from 'FRANKENSTEIN CREATED WOMAN'. Lee is represented in a still from 'DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE' ... though in neither pics, are the titles of the films given, and that sadly is the overall standard of all the magazines, in this series . .  little in the way learning or anything any fan would find new or interesting, even back in 1974!  

THE SECOND ISSUE had a 'Frankenstein' theme based primarily on the 1931 Universal film, although Victor Frankenstein was drawn to resemble Peter Cushing, in some of the Hammer series. Later the theme and comic strip  covered The 7th Voyage of Sinbad in issue 3, Blood Lust of the Zombies in issue 4, Hammer's Dracula has Risen from the Grave, under the strange title of "Dracula Must be Destroyed") in issue 5, Terror from Space was issue 6 and the story of Beowulf in issue 7. The comic stories from issue three became at times quite bizarre, and the connection with what were 'horror classics' either from cinema or TV, floated away and from issue 10, the magazine no longer carried comic strip adaption or stories.

KEVIN O'NEILL, who would also go on to work on that other 70's horror film mag, WORLD OF HORROR and the comic 2000 AD, was closely involved with the publication, providing some of the comic strips and serving as art editor, before becoming editor. Though little. if any of the comic adaptions ever came any where close to the benchmark that Hammer House of Horror would roll out, this magazine, was probably in the beginning aimed at a younger market, and in that case, one can see why, the issues lack any real maturity or muscle. For us Horror Film Fans, it was better than nothing and certainly whet our whistles, while we waited for, what was yet to come . .  

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STAR WARS WITH MAGIC CARPETS ALONG WITH CHRISTOPHER LEE, EMMA SAMMS AND PC!

PETER CUSHING as the brief but interesting WAZIR AL WAZARA in ARABIAN ADVENTURE in 1979. Often see as another AMICUS film, the film was in fact produced in April 1978 EMI Films announced they would make the film as part of a series of films they wanted to produce with the newly formed Orion Pictures. Granted both the partnership of the Amicus Kevin Francis and John Dark were on board, and both Christopher Lee and Cushing were starring and almost, guest starring, but Amicus it aint. The budget was much more than what Dark and Connor ever had to tackle their Land that Time Forgot, At The Earth's Core or Warlords of Atlantis, but it wasn't as successful. The promo strap line of 'Star Wars with Magic Carpets!' promised much, but fell well short of anything close to the new benchmark of children and family entertainment on the big screen. 

OUR PCASUK FEATURE AND GALLERY ON ARABIAN ADVENTURE HERE!

WHEN CUSHING does finally arrive, his appearance as the cell trapped Wuzara, it is a bit of shock. Sporting what looks like 15 years over growth on the handle-bar moustache he wore as Dr Naramrov in Hammer films, The Gorgon, his character is dusty, grubby and broken. Cushing gave the role, however short, his full attention and commitment and the facial hair he grew and wore, for the role of  Commissioner Potts in the truly weird and way off, A Touch Of The Sun with Oliver Reed, remained. Work on TOUCH on location in Zamiba had only wrapped two weeks, so what little of Cushing's face we could see was, certainly sun kissed for the Arabian climate!

THE REASON WHY this film is being included in our usual COMIC TURNS and MAGAZINE themed WEDNESDAY, is because the press office for the movie managed to pull two quite interesting stunts in the drive for publicity. ONE was the fabulous FULL COLOUR photo that graced the cover of an EARLY issue of blood splat and gore effects screamarama, that is now FANGORIA magazine. Granted this was only issue three, and the magazine would soon being making off in a completely different direction, but brownie points to the press office. SECOND was the wave of alternative cinema and press design posters that were drawn up and produced on the release of the film. One poster carried a selection of COMIC STRIP panels on a full colour cinema quad poster. Rarely does this kind of artwork feature on a cinema poster, but the well intended move to capture the attention of the target audience kiddies, was still much more impressed and still dizzy from the hi tech visuals, of 'A GALAXY FAR FAR AWAY'. Magic carpets were for this crowd, were seen as thread bare and dated. It would be a long time far far in the distance, before those impressive visuals would stop tinting any fantasy adventure on the big screen. . .

A FACE YOU WILL SURELY KNOW! Ever wondered whatever happened to ACTOR MILTON REID. FIND OUT : RIGHT HERE!

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MOMENTS OF TERROR MONDAY 1# : VALENTINE TORMENT AND REVENGE . . .

AND SO TO OUR FIRST #MOMENTSOFTERRORMONDAY! Every MONDAY we'll be exploring 'MOMENTS' from the films and television work of Peter Cushing's career, moments that over the decades have had us perched on the edge of our seats. This MONDAY we have the whole unedited story from Peter Cushing's contribution to the Amicus film, 'TALES FROM THE CRYPT' (1972) entitled 'Poet Justice'. For those who know Cushing's work, it's one of his best. It certainly has moments that fit our remit, but also great pathos and sadness . . . Without revealing any plot details, spoilers or giving anything away, all I will say is . .. if you have never had the chance to see Peter Cushing's AWARD WINNING performance of Arthur Grimsdyke, you are in for  treat... I will say no more, except . . ..ENJOY!

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  . . 
 

NEWS: HAMMER ANNOUNCES NEW FEATURE FILM FOR 2018 AND VINTAGE READING OF DRACULA WITH COMIC STRIP!

#THROWBACKTHURSDAY! : Using a recording made in 1966, here is an extract recording of Christopher Lee reading Stokers Dracula...obviously from a time, when he didn't get so prickly about the subject. It's nicely done, with music and a charming comic strip visual.. a weird period setting though? It's drawn by a US artist, I am sure... The whole thing is available on 'the TUBE', should you want some more.... You LIKE???

NEWS: FILMNATION ENTERTAINMENT TO FULLY FINANCE THE LODGE, THE FIRST ENGLISH LANGUAGE FILM FROM GOODNIGHT MOMMY DIRECTORS VERONIKA FRANZ AND SEVERIN FIALA. LEGENDARY GENRE LABEL HAMMER FILMS TO PRODUCE.

FilmNation Entertainment announced today that they have acquired rights to finance acclaimed directors Veronika Franz’s and Severin Fiala’s THE LODGE. FilmNation will handle international sales and will co-represent the US sale with WME Global. 

The screenplay was written by Sergio Casci, Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala, from an original idea by Sergio Casci. Franz and Fiala (GOODNIGHT MOMMY) will direct as their first English language film. Hammer Films’ Simon Oakes and Marc Schipper are producing. Casting is currently underway and principal photography is set to begin in January.

FilmNation VP, Production & Acquisitions Brad Zimmerman brought the project in and will oversee on behalf of the company, and Aliza James is overseeing the project and executive producing for Hammer.

THE LODGE tells the story of a young woman and her new stepchildren who are menaced by a terrifying supernatural force while spending Christmas in their remote cabin. “We couldn’t be happier to be working with Hammer and FilmNation on our first English language film. As genre filmmakers, we are incredibly excited to add our movie to the Hammer canon, and FilmNation has demonstrated time and again bold decisions in choosing which films and filmmakers to back. With both of these companies behind us, we feel the support to make the movie as we see it in our heads, and we are excited to be moving forward,” said Franz and Fiala.  

“When we saw Veronika and Severin’s extraordinarily chilling and super smart first film GOODNIGHT MOMMY, we knew Sergio’s story was the perfect project to bring to them for their English language debut, and we have loved every minute of developing the project with the three of them. We are now absolutely thrilled that FilmNation have come on board to help make the film a reality. They are a hugely savvy outfit with a great track record of supporting creative filmmakers who make bold and distinctive quality films. From our very first conversations about the project, it was clear that FilmNation absolutely understood the film we’re all setting out to make, and we very much look forward to working with them to bring our collective vision to the screen,” said Hammer Films.

“We’re so excited to see Veronika and Severin’s style and wit applied to this mesmerizing story. We have ideal partners in Hammer and look forward to disturbing and thrilling audiences worldwide,” said FilmNation Entertainment Co-Heads of Production & Acquisitions Aaron Ryder and Ben Browning.

 

The deal was brokered with Hammer Films and WME Global by FilmNation’s Ryder and Browning and EVP Business & Legal Affairs Alison Cohen.

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 

THE PROFESSOR ISSUE FOUR : SIRENA : PRAISE FOR ISSUE FOUR!

ANYONE WHO IS a regular here at the PCAS website will know we are following a very interesting comic series published in Italy by Erredi Graphic Editor, “The Professor”. It tells the adventures of a Professor of literature and philosophy at the University College London, Mr Benjamin Love. He has been educated by Rabbi Moshe from Bevis Marks Synagogue to the mysteries of qabbaláh, alchemy and esoterism. The setting of this short series is horror Gothic and develops in the Late Victorian Age. The character of the Professor takes inspiration from Hammer’s films and he looks like the British actor Peter Cushing.

IN THIS FOURTH ISSUE, “Sirena”, Benjamin is invited by the Count Raimondo Del Balzo, descendant of the Prince Raimondo Di Sangro, to the fascinating city of Naples. The invitation which might be a simple rest occasion, soon turns to be a sort of incubus. Furio, the faithful mastiff dog who is the Professor’s life companion, has started to behave strangely recently. The stay at the Count’s mansion is not the best one: at night recurrent nightmares alarm Benjamin… This story is produced by the creative team led by Andrea Corbetta: drawings by the young artist Germano Giorgiani, script by Carlo A. Martigli, Giulia Carla De Carlo and Roberto Leoni who is also the new editor of the series.

THE PROFESSOR ISSUE FOUR!
The Professor 4: Sirena, testi di Carlo Martigli, Giulia Carla De Carlo, Roberto Leoni, disegni di Germano Giorgiani

S. Riccò: Hi, thank you for the latest addition. Tonight, I can finally enjoy myself with the  mermaid! 

G. Giorgiani‎: A picture is obligatory with the professor!! Every two months in kiosk!! Thank you!

D. NIGRO : 'Well, after a thorough and finally lucid second reading, I can finally say my peace on this "mermaid". Let's start with the positive aspects: the drawings in some ways are authentic little masterpieces, see the appearance of mounted policeman outside the palace of sangro, or the image of melusine the last dream of Benjamin, or fingers at horns of count into Orbits the skull of the church of the souls of purgatory and so many others, all very inspiring and memorable...'

P. Domenico
THE SEA, THE MERMAID AND THE PROFESSOR!

E. MANGRONI: 'The fourth issue was a great, and is currently my favorite, mostly for the theme... It fascinates me anything that hangs around undead, though maybe I wish some more detail on bokor Haitian... but I digress here 😉). The story reminds me of the style of some of the legends of American comics and made the story very fast and pleasant to read (to understand what I mean go read hush of Jim Lee and Loeb Joeph saga or the dark knight of Frank Miller). Also the new press has greatly improved the quality of the graphics and the paper gives you a pleasant sensation under my fingertips'.

T. T. V. Ongaro‎

'I must confess....  for me, this fourth number is the best out! Amazing! The other issues have been great too. Nothing to remove, do not change! This series of "the professor" is also a major in the field of Italian comics 😉 Congratulations to the authors!! '

Spaccio Fumetti:
'I realized, is it just me or have you guys noticed too that the professor,improves number after number? Going beyond the technical side, "Mermaid" presented a story that make s the most of the 'games of lights and shadows of the setting' (Naples) and drops into the story four mysteries, seemingly unrelated, that take our breath till last pages! Pages where everything is elegant! Beyond these aspects, Professor Love in "Mermaid" carries an aura maliciousness, it pervades his every action, enough to give us the most creepy issue of The Professor published so far!

The LIMITED EDITION COLLECTABLE MODEL KIT FIGURE of the Peter Cushing influenced character that appears in the excellent #THEPROFESSOR comic..is now ALMOST READY for it's release and Andrea Corbetta, the sculptor Roberto De Meo and the guy who had the idea, Davide Decina . . have us on stand by, ready for the completion date!.... We'll be keeping you posted with updates and any news, as we get it from the Professor team.

YOU CAN FIND MORE NEWS ABOUT THE FORTHCOMING ISSUES OF 'THE PROFESSOR', MEET AND CHAT WITH OTHERS WHO APPRECIATE THE PROFESSOR AT THEIR FACEBOOK 'THE PROFESSOR CLUB' ... REQUEST TO JOIN HERE

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!

NEWS: THE PROFESSOR : FAMILIAR FACE IN ISSUE FOUR!

THOSE OF YOU FOLLOWING the excellent story unfolding in the Italian comic #THE PROFESSOR, will be very pleased hear that ISSUE FOUR is now AVAILABLE! The team of Corbetta, Martigi, De Carlo, Giorgiani have come up with a terrific story, with a Cushing-ques character at the centre of the tale. Imaginative and very creative artwork, brings the action to life, in a synopsis where you are never sure, where it will take the reader next! The arrival of a new character in the story, looks strangely familiar, it's all part of this unique tale that has some lovely nods to Cushing Hammer and fantasy work. If you haven't got your hands on a copy yet, it's easy to get one. here is a link to #THEPROFESSOR facebook page . . . 

THE THREE PAST ISSUES OF 'THE PROFESSOR' COMIC

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!

EXCLUSIVE MODEL KIT PROFESSOR NEWS

OK..NEWS EXCLUSIVE: What do YOU think? The LIMITED EDITION COLLECTABLE MODEL KIT FIGURE of the Peter Cushing influenced character that appears in the excellent #THEPROFESSOR comic..is now in the planning stages and Andrea Corbetta, the sculptor Roberto De Meo and the guy who had the idea, Davide Decina . .  have very kindly let us a quick sneak preview of what the figure could actually look like.... and from the first impressions, looking at their illustrations on our banner..it looks very impressive! We'll be keeping you posted with updates and any news, as we get it from the Professor team.

Along with the CGI Tarkin posts and Star Wars news, our last post on THE PROFESSOR, was one of the highest website hits in the past six months!! Looks like this is going to be very popular model kit... let us know what you think of the figure so far?? - Marcus