SIR CHRISTOPHER LEE remembered today. Four years on . . . It's still a little strange how
there still isn't an official CHRISTOPHER LEE fan site on the net. Before his passing, there was an official site, that
had slowed down, then a week after Lee's death, was closed to any
updates and carried a banner of, being remodeled to re-appear soon. We
are still waiting. Just two weeks ago, during the week of both Lee's and Cushing's birthday anniversaries, we shared the news of Lady Birgit Lee, donating several personal scrapbooks of rare photographs and clippings, from Sir Lee's archive to the British Film Institute.
IN THE MEANTIME, I try to share something related, if
only by a Cushing post. Plus we do have a Christopher Lee theme EVERY
Saturday here! Posts about Christopher Lee here and at our PCAS Facebook Fan Page
are always well received and supported. There are always lots of
comments and text from followers and members, who still miss his
presence and regularly watch the wealth of work, that we can always
enjoy . . . in memory of one of the greatest!
ABOVE: The LATEST clip from the PCASUK series 'The Last Meeting of Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee' posted to celebrate and mark the 106th anniversary of Peter Cushing birthday!
#MONSTERMONDAY!
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the publication of Mary
Shelley's classic novel Frankenstein - first printed on 1 January 1818.
As we are all probably know here, Hammer Films took on the Frankenstein
horror franchise in 1957, with Peter Cushing playing Baron FRANKENSTEIN.
'The Curse of Frankenstein' also starred Christopher Lee as the
creation and was the "first really gory horror film, showing blood and
guts in colour", according to Professor MacCormack on the BBC NEW
website today. Patricia MacCormack, is a professor of continental
philosophy at Anglia Ruskin University, and has published papers on the
horror genre.
'THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN' MONSTER had a very different aesthetic from the
first Universal studios film, Cushing's monster was covered in scars
and transplanted tissue - partly because the Universal Karloff-era
make-up had been copyrighted. But it's this "patchwork human, which was
touted as the closest to the monster of Mary Shelley's book," says Prof
MacCormack. "The idea of a patchwork humanity is at the very core of
Shelley's story.The film carries a strong message from the original
book: "Beware ambition, it seems to say. It's all about men
circumventing the role of women and the role of god - and the
consequences of that."
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
WE JABBER on and on about these two Peter Cushing / Christopher Lee
Hammer films . . . just type the titles into google images, and you'll
discover a virtual digital archive, masses of our posts from the last
six years! Why? Well, despite both of these late Hammer films, being
out of favor and fashion for the best part of 40 odd years . . . I have a
great fondness for the idea of Van Helsing and Dracula locked into a
modern day dramatic ding dong, on my doorstep... rather than,
some Gothic castle , in fictional Olde Worlde Karlsbad? Even though
it's chosen location of London, is long gone, along with the loon and
flapping flared denims and bat winged shirt collars . . . that era too,
is now something locked into the past. Both would make an excellent
package for Cushing, Lee and Hammer fans alike.
Our Feature and behind the scenes gallery on The Satanic Rites of Dracula can be found : HERE!
YOU WANT EXTRAS??? There is a MASS of material available... even if the
likes of the cheapest cheapskates of distributors, there are several
cast members who are still breathing, for use in those, oh so lazy
talking head interviews. The bottom line for any distributor, even the
cheapest is, will it SELL? Warner Brothers proved a point, last year
when they released probably the smartest looking Hammer film box set
ever! . . . .Clean, remastered, region free, Hammer films starring
their two biggest stars SELL...even without extra features. The Warner
box set, set a standard and fans purchased the lot! So how about it? . .
. Would you BUY??
#SILENTBUTDEADLYWEDNESDAY:
Herbert Lom in Amicus films, ASYLUM (1972) as Dr. Byron in the story
"Mannikins of Horror" . .. it's a neat story, and the 'mini Lom' was a
nice touch too. Cushing's story 'The Weird Tailor', was based on a
Robert Bloch's story from Karloff's 'Thriller' TV series (1961) . . .
these are probably the strongest stories of the bunch maybe? Not
counting Cushing's 'Poetic Justice' in 'Tales from the Crypt' . .. of
all the portmanteau stories in the Amicus films...do you have TWO
FAVORITES??? Tell us why
#SILENTBUTDEADLYWEDNESDAY!: I LOVE THIS SHOT from DRACULA AD 1972 . . . not unlike the 1934 Lon Chaney Jr Universal film, 'SON OF DRACULA', where Dracula turning up under a 'non de plume' as something so ridiculously obvious as ALUCARD, hits every member of the cinema audience . . . but no one ON the screen. Here our learned Professor, burning the night oil pours over this anagram . . .and BANG, the LIGHT BULB moment! Cushing just about manages to carry this one off, thanks to that chilling look into the eyes of his ancestor . . .Well, come on. It would have been a very short film, had Van Helsing cottoned-on in the first reel . . .
#SILENTBUTDEADLYWEDNESDAY! . . .AND FINALLY, a request from PAM D.D of this knock out shot from Cushing's performance ad Dr Robert Knox in 'FLESH AND THE FIENDS' (1960). A little girl in the street begs alms from Dr. Knox (Peter Cushing).
tells her that he doesn't have any money with him, but if she will step
over to his house he will give her some. The little girl politely
declines the offer, saying, "Oh, no, you might be Dr. Knox." The
unspoken response is a wonderful of example of Peter Cushing's acting
skill saying so much with just a look, no words needed.
A FILM WITH A STELLAR cast with actors
Donald Pleasence & George Rose as Buke and Hare, Billie Whitelaw
& Hammer regular George Woodbridge. As per our last post, this is another film crying out of a blu-ray
release as it considered by many to be the one of the finest films made
about Dr. Robert Knox.
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 . .
WE REMEMBERING VINCENT PRICE who we lost on this day in 1993. Feel free to share your memories of Vincent in the comments thread at our FEATURED POSTS at the PCAS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE
For#SILENTBUTDEADLY! today, we will posting a selection of #gifs from Our
Five Vincent Price Films. No order of preference, but everyone a GEM!
NUMBER 1#: ANY LIST OF PRICE'S work MUST consider the 1959 'HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL'...you agree? Price's Frederick Loren, is a delight. Full of that
1950's spooky drive in feeling. This zoom in intro in the film, on it's
own REALLY spooked me as a kid... and WOW Elisha Cook jr.... also REALLY
unnerved me. Is THIS film in YOUR top Five? I have never been to a US
Drive-IN before, but I am going tomorrow, so wish me luck!
NUMBER 2# : Comedy of Terrors (1963) . . .I was very late coming to this
film. My first viewing was during a UK BBC2 double bill season, with my
parents and grandparents, so for me, maybe like many here..I have an
emotional attachment, to this film. My grandfather in particular LOVED
it. I can not remember a time when he laughed that much! Karloff in this
film, has more than a fleeting resemblance, to my grandfather's brother
. . . and I might say, was just as batty! Personally I love EVERYTHING
about this film. I could, but I won't ramble about it, the film speaks
for itself. Price, Karloff, Lorre, Rathbone...wow! Does anyone know if,
the obvious title connection to a play by the Bard... was this story
ever performed as a theatrical production??? I think it would work
extremely well on stage...! No? One of YOUR favs maybe too??
PERSONALLY, I love EVERYTHING about this film. I could, but I won't
ramble about it, the film speaks for itself. Price, Karloff, Lorre,
Rathbone...wow! Does anyone know if, apart from the obvious title
connection to a play by the Bard... was this story ever performed as a
theatrical production??? I think it would work extremely well on
stage...! No? One of YOUR favs maybe too??
YOU CAN FIND A FULL FEATURE WITH SUPPORTING GALLERY ON COMEDY OF TERRORS AT OUR SISTER WEBSITE HERE!
NUMBER 4# 'Theatre Of Blood' So many good things about this film. A huge
favorite! and THIS SCENE is one of many that stay with you a long time
after the closing credits. So MANY deaths, and each one, so well done:)
Do you have a favorite death scene maybe???
In marking the anniversary of Vincent Price's passing today, I hope our
little top five has whetted your appetite to revisit some of your
favorite Vincent Price movies this weekend and at Halloween too!
Full feature and gallery at our sister website THEBLACKBOXCLUB.COM HERE!
ABOVE:From our PCAS YOUTUBE Channel RARE VINCENT PRICE TALKS ABOUT Theatre Of Blood (1973)
NUMBER 5# Amicus films, MADHOUSE (1974) stars both Vincent Price AND Peter Cushing, in a rare opportunity to see them working together. We have several clips scattered around the website site, and watching them in the movie, gives us just a taste of what opportunities were probably missed. MADHOUSE with it's twists and turns, moments of camp and black humor seems in recent times, to be receiving some late but well deserved, praise. Price plays Paul Toombes as very much the victim of circumstances for much of the film, but come to the time for revenge... the film was shot under the title of 'The Revenge of Doctor Death'... all stops are out for a thrilling confrontation . . .
PART SIX of The Amicus Films of Peter Cushing, includes a MADHOUSE FEATURE and GALLERY, JUST CLICK 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 . . 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 . .
