THE DAY MICHAEL RIPPER DROPPED IN TO SEE HIS FRIEND CHRISTOPHER LEE AT THE CINEMA STORE LONDON

If something interesting comes my way, I love to be able to share with you! Such is the case of these rarely seen candid photographs of Christopher Lee and character actor, Michael Ripper. The little I have leaned about this occasion, has come from the owner of these photographs, James Murray. 

By chance, James saw a pic I had posted on the facebook account, of both Christopher Lee and Michael Ripper, at what I thought was their Fanex Convention appearance... Thankfully, James spotted the photograph and the error and kindly wrote to me, explaining that he was working 'on the door' that day, and remembered it well. It was a book signing, attended by Christopher Lee, signing copies of his book, 'Tall, Dark and Gruesome' the Midnight Marquee edition. Being an admirer of Christopher Lee, he brought along his camera and posed for a pic...and managed to capture Michael too!

Michael Ripper, it turns out, found out about Christopher Lee appearing at the signing, and dropped in to see his old friend! Giving everyone the wonderful opportunity to see these two icons, together again, relaxed, chatting about old times. 

I am very fortunate that many of you out there send in photographs, cuttings and all-sorts Cushing related material, and for that I am very grateful. It's not always credited or accompanied with any details. So, my hunch... incorrect as it happened, lead to meeting James and obtaining some great photographs, courtesy of Mr Murray! Thank you!

ABOVE: Michael Ripper and Christopher Lee at the FANEX Convention in 1999.

REMEMBERING MICHAEL RIPPER

I've seen the likes tonight that mortal eyes shouldn't look at!'... say that line of dialogue and any Hammer film fan worth his or her salt, quick as a flash will reply, 'Michael Ripper, as the poacher in 'The Mummy!'.. And it is Michael Ripper who we remember today on the day his birth, 27th January 1913. Ripper appeared in many productions for Hammer, seven with Peter Cushing, nine with Christopher Lee. Inn keepers, coachmen, police officers, Ripper an accomplished stage and film actor it could be argued is as much part of the Hammer family as Cushing, Lee, Fisher and Francis. Christopher Lee once announced to a packed convention in Baltimore, with Ripper standing at his side.. 'This man IS Hammer!' And for many of us, he always will be....