BEHIND AND BESIDE EVERY GREAT MAN : CUSHING'S KIND MESSAGE TO A NEW BARON

AS PROMISED, here connected to yesterday's post : Back in the 70's, anything to sell tabloid 'newspapers'... Ralph Bates playing Baron Frankenstein, 'taking the role' from Hammer films usual 'Baron of choice' was Peter Cushing and had been since the first Hammer Frankenstein film in 1957 with 'The Curse of Frankenstein' ... HERE is how Peter Cushing took the news... Many thanks again to, Mr G 😊😊

HELEN AND PETER CUSHING... Birgit and Christopher Lee and Coral Browne and Vincent Price 😊All interesting characters, wives and husbands . . despite rumours before and after their passing. If you think or gossip otherwise.. what you didn't see with YOUR eyes, don't witness with your mouth.... 

AND FOR THOSE, who would think anyone would compromise the message of  the 'couples banner' here is Christopher Lee. ' Yup, HE told me that! Christopher Lee is a gossip and compromiser of confidences. . . said NO ONE... ever!' 

 Man... some people . .

TALKING TARKIN : WHEN FAN ASKS MARK HAMILL THE BURNING QUESTION!

WHEN A FAN RECENTLY asked Mark Hamill on Twitter which actor from Star Wars he wished Luke could've shared a scene with if there was a chance, Hamill posted a touching reply. Not only did Hamill start with the late and great Peter Cushing, who played Grand Moff Tarkin, but he said basically everyone else from the films, calling out the sequel trilogy actors in particular. In a funny way it's a quintessential Luke Skywalker response 😊

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARK HAMILL : VIDEO 'WHEN SKYWALKER MET TARKIN!'

IT'S A VERY Happy Birthday to actor Mark Hamill we post today 😃 Hamill who is probably best known for his role as Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars Films and the role of providing the voice behind the animated BATMAN series of The Joker .

HAMILL co-starred with Peter Cushing in the first Star Wars film 'A New Hope' (1977) However, Hamill was disappointed to learn that he had no scenes with Peter's character Grand Moff Tarkin, so he took the time to visit the set on the days Peter was working, to meet with him.

PACKED WITH CLIPS interviews, rare behind the scenes footage, films and EXCLUSIVE features. The Peter Cushing Appreciation Society YOUTUBE CHANNEL is now OPEN and FOR YOU! Just CLICK HERE!

A LONG TIME AGO NAME AND CLAIM YOUR ROY ASHTON FAVORITE!

OVER AT THE FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE #TOOCOOLTUESDAY! we are sharing some of the work and GENIUS of make up artist, Roy Ashton 😮 . . . and two pics from A LONG time ago and asking how many Ashton films can you name which are pictured on the above banner and WHICH are your THREE favs? 😉 Marcus

ABOVE: A letter from Peter Cushing to Roy Ashton, makes reference to the days that Peter remembers days spent in the make chair, listening to both Ashton and Christopher Lee and their impromptu singing!

THE GENTLEST OF GENTLMEN : STAR WARS CHEWBACCA PETER MAYHEW DIES AGED 74

VERY SAD NEWS to report the passing of PETER MAYHEW, the actor behind Chewbacca in the Star Wars film series has passed aged 74 . . .

PETER MAYHEW was born on May 19, 1944 in Barnes, London, England and  was working as a hospital attendant at the King's College Hospital in London when film producer Charles H. Schneer saw the above photo, a TALL man! Charles H. Schneer cast him in Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977). It was just over a year later that he was asked if he wanted to do another role. Mayhew was told it was for a big hairy beast. 

THAT ROLE WAS OF COURSE, Chewbacca, the faithful 200 year-old Wookiee in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) and his life was changed forever. Following the original Star Wars trilogy, Mayhew has done several commercials in the Wookiee costume including one for Cingular and Orange associated with Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005). In 1997, the twentieth anniversary celebrations of Star Wars were announced with the release of the "Special Edition" and all the conventions started. For many years, Mayhew was very active on the "Star Wars" convention circuit where he signed autographs, posed for pics and met his many thousands of friends and fans. He made time to write two books, "Growing Up Giant" and "My Favorite Giant" and founded a non-profit 501(c)3 charity organization called "The Peter Mayhew Foundation" and was the purveyor of chewbacca.com.

FOLLOWING THE ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY, friends and industry shared their messages:

Harrison Ford, who played the character of Han Solo, praised him for his “great dignity and noble character. Peter Mayhew was a kind and gentle man, possessed of great dignity and noble character. These aspects of his own personality, plus his wit and grace, he brought to Chewbacca. We were partners in film and friends in life for over 30 years and I loved him. He invested his soul in the character and brought great pleasure to the Star Wars audience. Chewbacca was an important part of the success of the films we made together. He knew how important the fans of the franchise were to its continued success and he was devoted to them. I and millions of others will never forget Peter and what he gave us all. My thoughts are with his dear wife Angie and his children.  Rest easy, my dear friend.” 

Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, shared a tribute on social media in which he described Mayhew as the “gentlest of giants”. He added: “A big man with an even bigger heart who never failed to make me smile & a loyal friend who I loved dearly-I’m grateful for the memories we shared & I’m a better man for just having known him. Thanks Pete #RIPPeterMayhew #Heartbroken”. 

Director and creator of Star Wars, George Lucas also paid tribute.“Peter was a wonderful man. He was the closest any human being could be to a Wookiee: big heart, gentle nature – and I learned to always let him win. He was a good friend, and I’m saddened by his passing.” 

The San Diego Comic-Con Twitter account also shared a message of tribute. “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Peter Mayhew. He was our beloved companion in a galaxy far, far, away. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends, and fans. The force will be with you always, Peter.” 

Joonas Suotamo took over the role of Chewbacca from Mayhew, first as a body double in Force Awakens and later as the lead in 2017’s The Last Jedi and 2018’s A Star Wars Story. Writing on Twitter, he said: “Devastated to hear about the passing of a dear friend and mentor, the great Peter Mayhew.Peter’s warm welcome when I came aboard as his double in The Force Awakens meant so much to me. Studying the character he helped create was always a daunting task, but one that was made easier by his tutelage and kindness as we sought to bring Chewbacca to life for a new generation. He was an absolutely one-of-a-kind gentleman and a legend of unrivaled class and I will miss him. As the entire Star Wars universe grieves over this terrible loss my thoughts and prayers are with his wife Angie and his family and all of the fans whose lives he has impacted. Rest assured his legacy will live on and the spirit that he gave the character when he first donned the suit will never be forgotten.” 

MAYHEW married his wife,  Mary Angelique ("Angie") in 1999 and together they had three children. He was very happy to become a naturalised citizen of the United States, in 2005. For several years, Mayhew had been plagued by ill heath, pneumonia, under went knee surgery and last year announced via Twitter, that he had successfully undergone unspecified spinal surgery to improve his mobility, and was recovering. 

PETER MAYHEW was extremely popular with fans of the Star Wars films. A regular presence at Star wars events around the world. His portrayal of Chewbacca and the chemistry between his character and that of Harrison Ford's Han Solo, remains one of the enduring emotive elements that has helped make Star Wars, such a success. A very kind, committed and generous man, who will forever be remembered with enormous affection . . . .     

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

HAMMER FILMS PRODUCER ROY SKEGGS DIES AGED 83

VERY SAD TO HEAR ROY SKEGGS, one of the very few left of the Hammer films 'home guard' sadly passed away on the weekend. Roy was a producer for Hammer Films and began his connection with the company way back at Bray studios in 1963 as production accountant. Roy was then promoted to 'company accountant' and secretary. He became production supervisor in 1970 and (with Brian Lawrence) took over the reins of the company when it fell into receivership in 1979. Was latterly chairman of Hammer films, based in Elstree.

ROY WAS BORN in 1934. He was a very capable and respected producer and production manager, and probably best known for his work with Hammer films. He was responsible for Peter Cushing's last return to the company with the tv series, Hammer House of Horrpr' in 1980. The series expanded into 'Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense' in 1984, and became a winner overseas and the US. He worked alongside Peter on 'Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell' (1974), Dracula AD 1972 and The Satanic Rites of Dracula. 

A PERIOD OF ILLNESS took Roy away from his love of Hammer films in the 1990's... but in the last few years, although always having been a very shy man, he stepped out to one or two conventions and signing days .. and was surprised not only how much he enjoyed the attention...but how fans and the public remembered him and his work with Hammer films. A hard worker, very good at 'math' and was responsible for bringing Hammer back to the small screen and Cushing's final bow as Frankenstein. Thank you Roy