WHOSE PANTS ARE THESE AND WOULD YOU BUY THEM?

FAMOUS PANTS FOR SALE! There is a kinda Cushing connectionl They were once involved in a very cloak and dagger scenario.... so who do you think wore them and in what Peter Cushing movie??? Answers and suggestions are being asked for over at the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE right now  . . .

PETER CUSHING AS CHRISTOPHER MAITLAND... yup that surname again, in an Amicus film... in 'The Skull' (1965). The director Freddie Francis often said that Subotsky's screenplay for The Skull, was when he received it, little more than just a story outline. Much of the dialogue, of which there was far less, than the usual Amicus film, was devised on set, along with blocking of the action. Subotsky wasn't a lover of dialogue laden scripts.

HERE ARE TWO EXCELLENT reviews complete with great image and photograph galleries from Peter Cushing's `1965 Amicus film, 'THE SKULL'  HERE  and  HERE!

PCAS actually owns a copy of the Francis, Robert Bloch script... there are many pages of notes and added dialogue in Francis handwriting. The additions made it one of Amicus films best movies, wonderful roles for the cast and for Cushing, a really dramatic character opportunity, in which he shines.... Is 'The Skull', one of your Top 5 Amicus films?

I NEVER FORGET A FACE OR A HEAD! #THROWBACKTHURSDAY!

#THROWBACKTHURSDAY! I NEVER FORGET A . . . HEAD! You may recall I asked all #HAMMERFILM fans out there, if they recognised the HEAD posing as the remains of the Marquis de Sade in Cushing film, The Skull, and posted a pic of the HEAD. No one spotted it, so here is the answer . . . that should make em sit up at the next pub quiz!

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS FILM at our SUPPLEMENT WEBSITE The Black Box Club. There is a full review and RARE IMAGE GALLLERY : 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      

#GIMMETHEGIFWEDNESDAY: DE SADE, WANDERING HANDS AND ALTER EGOS

#GIMMETHEGIFWEDNESDAY: Here's are this week's selection of requested GIFS, sent in by you the followers and friends of the PCAS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE

THERE IS ALWAYS a good reaction to any posts we make that centre around the theme of Peter Cushing's 1965 Amicus film, THE SKULL. A tight and suspenseful drama, that poses a different kind of threat, namely the 200 year old skull of the Marquis de Sade, a French aristocrat, philosopher and writer of explicit sexual works, who was born in Paris in 1740! But, for Amicus films purposes, the naughty works and business is left for another day!   Again, producer Milton Subotsky came up with another excellent cast with which to furnish his latest horror on a budget flick. Lead Peter Cushing is supported not only by Christopher Lee, but also Patrick Wymark, Nigel Green, Michael Gough, Patrick Magee, Peter Woodthorpe and Jill Bennett. Actors who had been tried out by Amicus in previous outings, and had passed mustard in some Hammer films too. The film uses quick, basic and workable effects, via some strings, wires and some clever editing. Director Freddie Francis using his 'through-the eye sockets pov for the first time here.  A good example is the shot in the GIF above. Peter Cushing would have to be a tad-dab-hand with a dagger, to hit that eye socket the first, second ..even maybe fourth take, if he was lucky. However, placing the hand on the dagger handle, the blade in the eye socket, then pulling the dagger OUT, and cranking the motion BACKWARDS in post, would get you a hit every time! And, just like the movie itself, a HIT . . no matter how many times I have watched it! KEY MOMENTS: Cushing possessed by The Skull tries to commit murder. The nightmare abduction of Cushing and his on-the-edge-of-your-seat trial!

REQUESTED BY A. RANDELL

 

 

'AND NOW, THE SCREAMING STARTS' was Amicus films one and only step into the territory usually inhabited by Hammer films. Spooky castles, creepy graveyards, frilly cuffs and cloaks. Gothic ghost stories, was maybe something they tried, as a scene in a short story in their familiar portmanteau films, but as a full length movie, 'AND NOW, THE SCREAMING STARTS (1973)' was the only full length feature, and the result was patchy. Shot under the production title of 'Fengriffen', the name of the novel by David Case, Roger Marshall wrote a screenplay that at times manages to be, predictable, yet confusing and contrived. However, the cast are entertaining as, Cushing, Ian Ogilvy, Herbert Lom, Patrick Magee and Stephanie Beacham all go through the 'ghost story-by numbers' for what feels like forever. 'And Now . . ' also marks the debut of Peter Cushing's  wavey full head wig! In interviews Cushing compared his 'full mopped' appearance to that of actress Helen Hayes!. However, research has shown, it was Cushing himself who requested the wig and would go on to wear it in Hammer films, 'Frankenstein And The Monster from Hell' and as Count Gerard De Merret in LA GRANDE BRETECHE, an episode of Anglia Television's popular series 'Orson Welles Great Mysteries' in 1973. Fans hated the mop then, as they do now!

Probably the best scene in 'And Now . . . ' can be seen here, in our requested GIF. Desecrated tombs, smashed skeletal remains, a raving madman and face off with an axe, all played out in a lashing storm in a family cemetery, makes for high drama, as Cushing's Dr Pope tries to reason with a not too happy Ian Ogilvy. It's certainly worth a watch, for Cushing's Dr Pope. Although he doesn't get a whole lot to do, the film noticeably lifts, when he arrives and gives the story a high five...and no, I am not referring to the wandering severed hand, that pops up and clumps around either. Yes, the Amicus's clock-work, five fingered fiend makes an other appearance! Having already built up a following after it's debut in ''DR TERROR'S HOUSE OF HORRORS' IN 1965, it turns up in Amicus future features  'SCREAM AND SCREAM AGAIN' and 'ASYLUM'

GIF REQUESTED BY K.BARNES

 

#GIMMETHEGIFWEDENESDAY: It's interesting that of all the requests we've received for GIFS since last week, and have shared over the last seven days on the PCAS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE  , just under half were from the films that Peter Cushing made for Amicus films. Evidence that maybe Subotsky's and Rosenberg's efforts are getting their fair share of the recognition and a slice of the appreciation pie at last? However, no matter how that tide may turn, like Hammer films, Amicus also had their fair share of misfires. 'I.MONSTER' is not a failure by any standards. The short fall that can be seen and felt in the film, is the product of 'management mangling'. It's a film that frustratingly sits, through no fault of it's director and cast, somewhere between classic and clunky. Destructive meddling and tampering on a fools errand, with the laughable idea, of what was considered by it's producer, to be a cheap way of making a film, in 3D, caused much damage. The film that was ultimately released contained several scenes and shots that were filmed to accommodate that notion. Tracking camera shots from behind plants, obstructing test-tubes and pillars, to say nothing of 'objects being thrust' at the camera, that makes I, MONSTER at times, a very odd watch.

Stylish direction from a very young Stephen Weeks holds the story firmly together, and it's a version that many of the Jekyll and Hyde purists, seems to like*. Performances from Cushing and Lee are very good indeed. Lee owns his Mr Blake. Again, Cushing doesn't have a lot to do in the way of anything dynamic, but it's not that kind of role or film. And though the ending maybe quick, it's a good one, even though time constraints may have been the reason behind the obvious doubling of Lee's stand in, Eddie Powell, getting more than his fair share of the accidental close ups. The supporting cast does well, even with the weird appearance, of Radio DJ Mike Raven strolling through a late 1800's drawing room in full Victorian get-up! All play well and, look great.... the film indeed, DOES have a wonderful air and look of authenticity. Pinewood studio's still standing streets sets, from their mega budget musical 'OLIVER', do much to make the film look far more expensive than it really is. Sets were never Amicus's 'thing'. Many of their films were hurriedly shot at Shepperton and Pinewood, on the sets left behind from other productions, just DAYS before they would be struck or demolished.  For me personally, the problem is the score. A dreary string sawing quartet, pinches out the thinnest of tinny, depressing and mawkish sounds. When taking my annual viewing of this film, I SKIP the opening title roll, or I'd be 'hanging' from the rafters, by the last credit!

GIF REQUESTED BY PAULINE TANKERTON

* Producer Milton Subotsky, decided to rename the lead characters of this Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson  classic, Dr Marlowe and Mr Blake. It has been claimed that he changed the names on learning that Hammer films were  shooting their own variation on the theme, with Dr Jekyll and Sister Hyde . When I interviewed Milton Subotsky for the camera in 1982, and asked him to explain his choice of changing names. Milton confidently told me, 'I thought it would be a fun thing to do!..I wanted to add, 'Like making a film in 3D???' but opted to keep my trap, shut tight!

 

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#GIMMETHEGIFWEDNESDAY: IT'S DONALDS BIRTHDAY REMEMBERED AND PERTWEE AND PITT DO PRETENTION

REMEMBERING: Actor Donald Pleasence who was born today in 1919... Pleasence appeared alongside Peter Cushing in a surprising amount of titles. From the quite early on brilliant BBC production of '1984' to the not so brilliant 'The Devil's Men', 'Flesh and the Fiends', 'Trial By Combat' and 'From Beyond The Grave' In a very lengthy career, with many highlights, Pleasence was always entertaining, especially with nervous, evil obsessive characters. Pleasence is probably best know for his role of Dr. Sam Loomis in the 'Halloween' films...a role interestingly enough that Peter Cushing was originally approached to play....

#GIMMETHEGIFWEDNESDAY: Peter Cushing as the forensic surgeon of Tyburn films, Legend of the Werewolf, kisses the 'SILVER' top, of his favourite walking cane... he needs the silver for a better purpose....

 

#GIMMETHEGIFWEDNESDAY: TOMAS HILL from Sheffield, UK has requested this gif of JON PERTWEE and INGRID PITT from the Amicus film, 'The House That Dripped Blood' . . . what a pair of 'Theatricals'! Both Pertwee and Pitt enjoyed playing the roles of Paul Henderson and Carla Lind in what was intended to be 'the fun' story in the film, 'The Cloak'. Watching an interview with director Peter Duffell included in the extras of the DVD box set release, Duffell explained that he wasn't quite sure if the under-cranked shots in the story actually achieve the effect he was looking for. I think I agree with him. In two of producer Milton Subotsky's films that include a 'wacky-comedy story' The House that Dripped Blood' (1971) : The Cloak and 'The Monster Club' (1980) :  The Vampires, they are, in my opinion, the weakest stories of the bunch, and the comedy in very weak and pathetically pun filled'. Still, 'The Cloak' did give Pertwee the opportunity to exercise his comedy chops, a field in which he made his name, and it gave us the rare opportunity to see him and Ingrid work together.

#GIMMETHEGIFWEDNESDAY: Requested by Anne Price. The Nightmare sequence featured in 'The House That Dripped Blood' is one of the few stand out moments in the film. Cushing had played a similar scene for another Amicus film, The Skull back in 1965. Interestingly, here we can see the choices of two directors, shooting the illusion of a terrifying nightmare... both effectively use distorted angles, slow motion and dry ice. In The Skull Freddie Francis used different lenses, while director Peter Duffell here in this scene, uses the cheaper, but maybe more effective method of almost comic strip, 'Dutch Tilts'. It's the one scene that most often is remembered when you write to us about this Cushing film.

COME JOIN US ALONG WITH OVER 25,000 OTHER FOLLOWERS AT OUR FACEBOOK FAN PAGE: RIGHT HERE!

EUREKA AMICUS CUSHING LEE HORROR CLASSIC THE SKULL BLU RAY AND DVD RELEASE COMPETITION

THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED! SEE WINNERS AT

 BOTTOM OF FEATURE!

EUREKA AND THE PETERAPPRECIATIONSOCIETY.COM BRINGS YOU THE CHANCE TO WIN A PETER CUSHING AMICUS HORROR CLASSIC 

ON DUAL BLU RAY AND DVD RELEASE!

EVENT

OCTOBER 26th sees the BLU RAY and DVD release from EUREKA of Amicus films classic THE SKULL starring the two grand masters of terror, Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. This is the first time that THE SKULL has been available on BLU RAY in the UK and to celebrate this, EUREKA have sponsored our competition by providing THREE copies of the DUAL FORMAT release for you to WIN! This edition contains both the BLU RAY and DVD.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO

To enter the competition and be in with a chance of winning EUREKA's EXCLUSIVELY RESTORED release of THE SKULL is correctly ANSWER the question below. Once you have your answer, just simply send it in an email to us at: theblackboxclub@gmail.com 

QUESTION:

Amicus script writer and producer, Milton Subotsky had a favorite SURNAME he used for his characters in over half a dozen of his films. WHAT WAS THAT SURNAME?

This competition CLOSES on FRIDAY 23rd OCTOBER 2015 at MIDNIGHT GMT. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

You can place a PREORDER for EUREKA's 'THE SKULL' Dual Blu Ray and DVD release at Amazon.co.uk : QUICK LINK: HERE 

EUREKA THE SKULL BLU RAY AND DVD DUAL PACKAGE SPEC:

Exclusively restored 1080p presentation of the film on Blu-ray

Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.

New video interview with film scholar Jonathan Rigby.

New video interview with critic & author Kim Newman

Reversible sleeve featuring original and new artwork
Limited Edition Collector’s Booklet.

You can place a PREORDER for EUREKA's 'THE SKULL' Dual Blu Ray and DVD release at Amazon.co.uk : QUICK LINK: HERE 

Join Us At The Official Facebook Page of the Peter Cushing Appreciation
Society Website : HERE

MORE HALLOWEEN GOODIES TO WIN! THE SKULL BLU RAY & DVD COMBO FROM EUREKA AT PCAS

THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED! SEE WINNERS AT BOTTOM OF THIS FEATURE!

We have LOADS MORE GREAT Prizes and Giveaways for you in the next two weeks leading up to Halloween!! AND SO... on to our next HALLOWEEN COMPETITION which launches TOMORROW.. 16th October 2015. We have THREE copies up for grabs, courtesy of EUREKA, a duo package that contains both the BLU RAY and DVD of Peter Cushing's SUPERB Amicus film, 'THE SKULL' also starring Christopher Lee. Look out for the COMPETITION TOMORROW. It's open to anyone, anywhere... and closes in five days time. So... who's up for a copy??

 THE TRAILER TO 'THE SKULL'

EUREKA'S THE SKULL isn't released until OCTOBER 26th...BUT hyou can place your ORDER HERE NOW:  Here's the spec of what both the DVD  and BLU RAY contains:

Exclusively restored 1080p presentation of the film on Blu-ray
 
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.

New video interview with film scholar Jonathan Rigby.

New video interview with critic & author Kim Newman
 
Reversible sleeve featuring original and new artwork
Limited Edition Collector’s Booklet.

It's a real smashing release. The film has excellent audio and visuals, plus includes a great LIMITED EDITION booklet keep sake too. 
JOIN US TOMORROW!

AVAILABLE TO ORDER FROM : Amazon http://amzn.to/1MvMRFf 

The Story Behind THE SKULL: 

After making a number of successful ‘Hammer Horrors’ in the early sixties, Director and Academy Award winning cinematographer Freddie Francis (Paranoiac, Tales From the Crypt, Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors) moved to the fledgling Amicus Productions and produced an incredible run of horror titles that would make them the only studio able to rival the ascendant Hammer Pictures during the peak years of British horror filmmaking. Of these films, the most chilling is The Skull.

Peter Cushing stars as Dr. Christopher Maitland, a writer and collector of occult items (with a preference for those with a somewhat macabre history), who is offered the chance to purchase a highly expensive and unusual item – the skull of the Marquis de Sade. Warned against obtaining the item by fellow collector (Christopher Lee in a rare non-villainous role), the skull’s influence draws Maitland in, madness and death soon follow…

Adapted from a short story by Robert Bloch (Psycho) and featuring a score by avant-garde composer Elisabeth Lutyens, The Skull is one of the most expertly crafted British horror movies of its era. Eureka Entertainment is proud to present The Skull in a special Dual Format edition.

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