#HAPPYFATHERSDAY!
It's the day for Dad's whoever you are, wherever you are all over the
world. Father's here, Father's passed. Father's who can celebrate with
their children today, and Father's, for whatever reason can not - Marcus
ABOVE: PETER CUSHING and his family, his father, mother and brother, David
VINCENT PRICE and his daughter, Victoria with pet pug, Puffle!
CHRISTOPHER LEE, his daughter Christina and wife, Gitte!
JUST POSTED ATFACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE one of the last of our PCASUK #WATCHWITHCUSHING Facebook #WATCHPARTIES in our quest to entertain during the #LOCK-DOWN period of the last three months! 'DARK PLACES' is one of few lesser seen films of Christopher Lee. It's a ghost story, with a few twists and some nice little surprises. It's a film of time... when it was produced back in 1974, but a lot of fun.
SIR#CHRISTOPHERLEE remembered today. It is five years since the passing of Christopher
Lee... but his huge legacy of work and life, reminds us all here very
often, of how lucky we all were to have had such an impressive and
talent individual with us then . . and who still continues to entertain
and influence so many even today!
BACK IN 2015 when Christopher Lee passed, Bryan Adams posted this
comment about his time with Lee, during their photo session :
'Singer Bryan Adams has paid tribute to veteran actor Sir Christopher Lee, who died aged 93 on Sunday. The Canadian rocker met Lee - famous for his chilling portrayals of
screen villains from Dracula to the wizard Saruman in Lord of the Rings -
when he took photographs of him for a book.The pair hit it off and Adams told how the actor used to leave funny phone messages for him.
"One I can sort of recall was sort of like...'Hello Bryan, I see you
cut a swathe through Paris. Many people have called me to say they have
seen you in various states of debauchery, and quite right too'... It was
brilliant," he said.
Adams added Sir Christopher Lee was a "great character" who would be "greatly missed".
Back last year, I was sent a photograph of Christopher Lee, which I
thought was really something! I loved the pose, the lighting and the
attitude that the photographer had managed to get from Lee . . Little
did I know that, the photograph was one of a collection of portraits in
2018 at exhibition called 'EXPOSE', by none other than singer Bryan
Adams! His exhibition contains many really interesting portraits from
Sir Ben Kingsley, Amy Winehouse, Michael Jackson, Louise Bourgeois,
Lindsay Lohan and Dame Judi Dench. . . an impressive list, which also
included 'Her Majesty The Queen', no less! I still think this is
one of my most favourite portraits of Christopher Lee . . Lee would have
loved the position of his frame in the gallery too😉😊 - Marcus Brooks
AS YOU HAVE no doubt spotted, I try to share something related to his work with Peter often, plus we do have a Christopher Lee theme EVERY Saturday here too!
RECENTLY FOUND interviews, clips and banner features...these posts, thanks to
you are always well received and supported. I always take time to read
the many comments and text messages from followers and members, who
still miss his him and regularly watch his many many roles on TV and
film!
ABOVE : OUR RECENT PCASUK FEATURE on the CONTENTS of THREE personal SCRAPBOOKS that belonged to #CHRISTOPHERLEE : CLICK HERE!
AND IT IS HIS WORK, a great deal of it, that he would
probably be most proud of and I think, want to be remembered for.. We
can always enjoy that . . . in memory of one of the greatest!
QUESTION THREE THURSDAY! Crack THIS question TODAY and the previous TWO other questions, and you only
have TWO more to go! For
those, not in the know, out of sync and / or are starngers welcome!
There is a fabulous SIGNED full colour portrait of Christopher Lee as
Dracula, up for grabs in THIS competition. It's worth a bundle and would
look lovely over yours or your granny's fireplace! All you have to do
is answer FIVE questions, the previous you will find here at the PCASUK website and/or our FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGEwebsite. PLEASE no posting your answer in the message box below. . . YET! All five of your answers are welcome, AFTER the competition
questions END TOMORROW, AFTER question FIVE! Got it? Good 😀😉 Have FUN and good luck! Question FOUR TOMORROW / FRIDAY!
IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN...ALREADY! It's been such a fast year, this year and Christmas too will be with us before we know it! So, a VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING to our Friends and Followers! 😃
SINCE PETER CUSHING'S PASSING IN 1994, some interesting details about his career and life have surfaced, for sure. I suspect many in the industry knew about this, and this little fact has been several published, but I suspect that this might get many you thinking. IF you do think you know the answer and want to added to the banner of 'those who cracked it' next week. Drop me a line : petercushingpcas@gmail.com . . . ANSWER NEXT WEEK. LAST WEEKS TOUGHY ANSWER BELOW . . .
THE ANSWER TO LAST WEEK'S TUESDAY TOUGHY! THIS CORRECT ANSWER COMES FROM MARCIA, who correctly identified the THREE following CUSHING SHERLOCK productions. But THERE IS we find, ANOTHER one TOO! MARCIA'S answers are:
ANSWERS: 1) The Abbot's Cry, the follow-up to Masks of Death. 2) Peter was offered a part in Jeremy Brett's 'The Last Vampyre' as the clergyman Merrydew 3) Not positive about this one, but producer Kevin Francis wanted to remake 'Hound
of the Baskervilles' with the Hound animated by Ray Harryhausen, with
Peter as Sherlock.
THE ADDITIONAL entry is what was to have been a one man show with Cushing as Sherlock. Peter passed on the opportunity and another actor filled the role.
Worth noting is Marcia's kind message about the website too! "Thanks for
the notice on the Zoo Gang bluray and the great Doctor Who article. As
neat as Moffat's including Peter's Doctor is, I still think of Peter's
Doctor as an actual part of the canon, not just as an actor playing a
role. I love his two films as the Doctor. And finally, I love The Last
Meeting clips!! I watch them repeatedly and enjoy every minute. Look forward to this page everyday!" Best wishes! Marcia Loisel
#TOOCOOLTUESDAY
How cool is this? Here's a photograph that was passed onto me over
Christmas. As you know, Peter Cushing's walks through his home town were
often opportunities for visiting fans to bump into Peter and have a
chat, but also Peter had many friends in the town, he would meet on the street or beach, during his daily jaunt. One of these were the
Hewlett family. Many UK followers here will I am sure recognise Donald
from the extremely popular 1970's BBC tv comedy series, 'It Ain't Half
Hot, Mum', in which he played Colonel Charles Reynolds 🙂 Peter was very good friends with the family. This photograph was taken on the beach just outside Peter's own front door 🙂 Did any of you ever 'bump' into Peter on the beach at WHITSTABLE? Do tell . . .
#TOOCOOLTUESDAY! OVER THE YEARS I have seen lots of strange and wonderful illustrations on VHS and DVD covers, that grace the covers of Cushing films. But this one would be sure to make any Hammer fan, raise their eyebrows! Both Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee star in the film, contained in the box . . . but Lee certainly doesn't appear as Dracula, neither does Cushing play Baron Frankenstein. The image of Dracula has been lifted from the 'Satanic Rites of Dracula' (1973) press kit. Cushing's up to his elbows in Kensington Gore pic, comes from Hammer films, 1969 'Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed' . . along with Simon Ward who plays, the Baron's assistant Karl. . . and no, Ward doesn't make an appearance in 'Cuerpos Vivientes' either! It's certainly not the worst of bungled Cushing film covers and there are more to come . . .
#WHOISTHAT?MICHAEL ANDREWS popped onto the PCASUK FACEBOOK FAN PAGE today, and set you all this puzzler. Andrew asks: 'Does anybody recognise the gentlemen below? He has a certain Cushing
look about him. He does actually have a connection with Hammer films!' If you can put a name to that face, we'd be pleased if you too can pop over to the PCAS Facebook Page and provide the answer!
REMEMBER! 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
#HAPPYFATHERSDAY! It's the day for Dad's whoever you are, wherever you are all over the world. Father's here, Father's passed. Father's who can celebrate with their children today, and Father's, for whatever reason can not. My Dad is 4,000 miles away today, but only seconds away when I picked up that phone. He is, all I could ever ask for in a Father and friend . . .hey and without him, I never would have seen Dr Who and the Daleks in the cinema way back then!
Christina Lee with Father Christopher and Mother, Birgit.
Victoria with Father Vincent and pet Pug, Puffle!
CUSHING'S FATHER George, was a rock. Though he was closer to his Mother, Nellie, his Dad was always there for him, when he needed him. Cushing joked that his Father paid for his air ticker to the USA back in 1939, but he bought a ONE WAY ticket!!! Victoria Price has shared her memories of her Dad Vincent in an amazing book. And today she still travels the world, sharing stories and celebrating her father. Christina Lee I am sure, is still really missing her Father, Christopher. You only have to see the pics of her and her Dad to know, they were very close. With both Christina and Victoria, you can see many mannerisms that hint at their Dad's.... Happy Father's Day!
The Cushing Family: Peter at the top, his Father George, Mother Nellie and his Brother, David.
If you LIKE what you find posted here . . Please visit us at our daily themed posts at our PCAS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE and help 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.
MICHAEL ARMSTRONG'S disappointment at the cuts in the final cut of The House Of The Long Shadows
was matched by the reaction of the stars of the film. Vincent Price, in
particular, was so upset that his role had been reduced by the cuts-
especially in the music room scene- that he denounced the film openly
and refused to aid in it's promotion or have anything more to do with
the film.
Michael Armstrong recalls: ' I got a call from Cannon just before the
film was due to open in the UK, telling me about Vinnie's reaction and
asking me if I could try and change his mind. Apparently, he had refused
to speak to anyone at the Cannon offices. He was staying in London at
the time, because his wife Coral Brown was at that time receiving
specialist treatment for cancer here. I called him and tried to persuade
him to talk to Cannon, but he was adamant. He was so angry and so very
upset because he'd loved doing the film and thought it was some of his
best comedy work and then to see so much of his performance cut...but
what could I say?'
Armstrong, continued 'I was totally in agreement with him and, as I pointed
out- the cuts to his dialogue were equally the cuts to my dialogue. We
were on the phone over an hour and a half. By the end, we were
commiserating with each other. He never did speak to anyone at Cannon,
although he and I continued to stay in touch right up to his death.'
ABOVE: PETER CUSHING PROMOTES THE HOUSE OF THE LONG SHADOWS ON THE UK BBC BREAKFAST TIME PROGRAMME 1983. CLIP QUALITY FLUCTUATES BUT IT'S WORTH IT!
HOUSE OF THE LONG SHADOWSopened in London in 1983 at the
Carlton Cinema in the Haymarket to mixed reviews and a disastrous box
office. Cannon's decision to sell the film as a straightforward horror
film had only resulted in confusing both the critics and the audiences
who, without having the benefit of knowing beforehand that it was meant
to be a tongue-in-cheek lampoon of Gothic melodrama, mistook all the wit
and pastiche jokes as an attempt at the real thing. Those critics,
however, who did realise the films intent, raved- in particular over the
screenplay and the stars. Similarly the film went on to win prizes for
best film, best screenplay and best actors (jointly for the four stars)
at Avoriaz, Sitges, Paris and other genre festivals around the world.
DISMAYED AT THE London box office results, Armstrong persuaded
Cannon to let him experiment with a different approach for the regions
in the UK and sell the film as the comedy it was, rather than the horror
film that it wasn't. To test this the East Anglia release was launched with a specially
organised gala night audience in Stowmarket being issued with souvenir
programmes quoting those reviews recognising the film as a comedy. The
result was a packed house loving the film, laughing and applauding
throughout. As Armstrong points out, 'It was exactly the same audience
reaction we'd seen at Avoriaz and in Paris where it had won the audience
prize for Best Film at the Paris Film Festival'.
THE BRITISH QUAD CINEMA POSTER FOR 'HOUSE
OF THE LONG SHADOWS' WAS SCALED DOWN FOR THE
CANNON VIDEO RELEASE
DESPITE THIS EVIDENCE of the audience reaction, it was too late to
change anything. Cannon's original marketing plan remained and the film
continued to fail at the UK box office. With a far more tongue-in-cheek
marketing campaign the film fared better upon it's American and
international release, once more mainly garnering good reviews. Its
excellent entry into the video market, however, was cut short by the
collapse of Cannon. as part of the company's product sell off, the film
was included in a package required by MGM and along with so much of the
Cannon product was lost in the archives.
ARMSTRONG SAW THE PROBLEM, 'The problem with parody is that unless you know what is being parodied,
you miss the joke and I think that's where certain people missed out on
the film. It's a pity because The House Of The Long Shadows is
so full of jokes for the movie buff- almost every single line of the
dialogue has a reference point to some movie or another - I defy anyone
to get them all in a single screening. Apart from the movie references,
though, The House Of The Long Shadows exits on several levels,
which is why it really needs more than one viewing to appreciate it
fully. It was also made with a great love for the film it so
affectionately lampoons and as a swan song to the horror careers of the
four. Just take a look at their dialogue to see what I mean. I firmly
believe when it does finally emerge on DVD, it will finally be
recognised, not only as one of Pete Walker's best and most complex
films, but as a fitting tribute and elegy to a bygone era'
BUT IT DIDN'T STOP THERE . . 'The House Of The Long Shadows'until 2013 was still in limbo, regarding a legitimate release. Maybe Peter Cushing Centenary was an opportunity too good to miss? Whatever it was, the powers that be, finally gave us what we had been waiting for. 'The House of the Long Shadows' arrived in not only ONE blu ray package, but quite a few! The region FREE blu ray was followed by a German blu ray, then Spanish...and many more there after. The news is good, seems someone turned on the lights at the home of the Grisbanes, and now, the once foggy, under-lit scenes are presented, just as they should have been, when we spent our hard earned cash for groggy dvd copies. The picture quality is great, audio too! The Horror Channel has screened the movie several times over the past five years too! Seems, just like Roderick in the story, if WAIT long enough...you'll get what you want!
