DON HENDERSON Remembers:
"At Peter Cushing's 80th Birthday Party, I remember turning to my
wife, actress Shirley Stelfox, and saying, " He will go forever, won't
he!?" and then, at once, with great sadness, I realised the
impossibility of what i had just said, and that - Peter could not have
many years left on this earth. But, he was so lively, so full of life -
so enjoying his party, and the
friendship of all his close mates around him, that he did seem to be an
old 'Peter Pan' figure, who could never die.
Peter always had
that quality, plus the REAL nature of a truly old fashioned Gentleman. I
never, ever, heard anyone say one bad word about him, and that I don't
think I can say that about any other actor I know of. And I never heard
Peter say one bad word about anyone else.
He had a very jokey
sense of humour, full of fun and laughs - which would have suited him
exceptionally well in playing comedy roles, as opposed to the more
serious roles he became serious for.
In the film, 'The Ghoul' I
played the title role, Peter's son. It was during the making of this
film that I realised the importance that Peter's late wife, Helen played
in a totally non macabre way, in Peter's daily life. Peter was as much
in love with Helen, AFTER she died as he was during her lifetime.
I think he was quite a deeply religious man, he often said during
shooting...in a jolly undramatic, totally realistic way... that death
had no fear for him, and that when his time came, he would embrace the
moment with great joy, as it would mean he could be with Helen again.
Peter and I worked together also in the feature film, 'Star Wars'. For
some reason, he was without his character's jackboots, and had to wear
red carpet slippers. So, he ended up, stomping around in his full
costume, but with slippers!
Peter inspired love in everyone he
met. I loved him dearly. At that 80th Birthday party, I realised, that
the fact that he could not possibly have many more years left, was NOT a
matter for sorrow. But that, one should share his joy... because for
him, he would have his wish... he would be together again, with his
dear, Helen.."
