WINNERS AND ANSWERS: SO YOU THINK YOU KNOW CAPTAIN CLEGG COMPETITION.

We have our WINNERS! Picked out of the hat, just two hours ago....Congratulations PAULA T (USA) and E Passmore (Australia)! Your blu rays of 'Captain Clegg are on their way! Many thanks to the guys at Final Cut Entertainment for generously providing our prizes

NOW... here are the questions and answers to the competition. How did you do?

1: WHO wrote the DR SYN novels? Please give their full name, the year and date they were born.
Answer: Arthur Russell Thorndike, born 6 February 1885

2: This author also had a famous SISTER. Please name her. Answer: Dame Agnes Sybil Thorndike

3: What is the FULL name of DR SYN?
Answer: Reverend Doctor Christopher Syn

4: What was the FIRST DR SYN novel was called? What Year was it published and who were they publishing company?
Answer: Doctor Syn: A Tale of the Romney Marsh, published in 1915 by Nelson Press

5:The author of the DR SYN novels was also an actor. One of his last performances was in a film that also starred PETER CUSHING. NAME that film.
Answer: Hamlet (1948)

6: CAPTAIN CLEGG was released as part of a HAMMER FILM DOUBLE BILL in 1961. NAME the film that SHARED the billing. 

Answer: The Phantom of the Opera

7: DR CLEGG's producer was John Temple Smith. He was also the chairman of a small film company. NAME that film company.
Answer: Major Productions

8: When Anthony Hinds adapted the DR SYN script for Hammer Films, DR BLYSS wasn't his only name for the Captain he intended for the Captain...Which other name did he have in mind?
Answer: Dr Arne

9: WHEN did CAPTAIN CLEGG commence production? Tuesday 29th March.. Thursday 4th Feb.. Monday 25th September.. Monday 4th August..
Answer: Monday 25th September

10:CAPTAIN CLEGG was OLIVER REED’S FIRST? SECOND? THIRD? FIFTH? FILM FOR HAMMER FILMS?
Answer: Fifth

11: During the shooting of CAPTAIN CLEGG, OLIVER REED had an accident while driving his car, but he carried on not only shooting on CAPTAIN CLEGG but also doing some of his own stunt work. Did he break his: A) LEGG? B) FOOT? C) SHOULDER? Or D) HAND? 

Answer: Shoulder

12: DAVID LODGE played the BOSON in CAPTAIN CLEGG. Lodge is probably better known for his comedy work with Spike Mulligan and Peter Sellers. Which  FILM connects both Milligan and Peter Cushing?
Answer: Suspect (1960)t

13: Which Hammer film crew member was responsible for throwing the HARPOON, off camera, into CAPTAIN CLEGG’S/ Peter Cushing back? A) Peter Graham Scott B) Les Bowie C) Ian Scoones D) Tilley Day
Answer: Ian Scoones

14: Make Up Artist, ROY ASHTON not only worked on Hammer films CAPTAIN CLEGG in 1961, but also worked on the first production of the DR SYN story in 1937 for Gaumount Pictures. TRUE or FALSE 

Answer: True

15: During the making of CAPTAIN CLEGG Peter Cushing presented Hammer films’ script writer Anthony Hinds with a script and treatment for a DR SYN Hammer films sequel. The script was based on the second and third novels, Dr Syn on the High Seas and Dr Syn Returns. Cushing’s script was dated July 1961 and had a working title of a) Dr Syn, The Quality of Mercy ? b) Dr Syn : Wild Justice ? c) Dr Syn : Waiting Revenge ?
Answer: ANY of these three titles would be considered correct, as Cushing had all all THREE titles in pencil with title Dr Syn on his script!

16: Actor Patrick Allen played Captain Collier in CAPTAIN CLEGG. He had previously appeared in another Hammer film. Name the film and the character he played.
Answer: 'Never Take Sweets from a Stranger', Peter Carter.

That's it! Thank you to everyone who took part in the competition, it wasn't any easy one, for sure. Join Us THIS WEEK for our 'SO YOU THINK YOU KNOW: PETER CUSHING Competition! With THREE copies of 'The Peter Cushing Scapbook' up for grabs!

You can Purchase YOUR copy of CAPTAIN CLEGG BLU RAY

HERE 

You can purchase YOUR copy of The Peter Cushing Scapbook 

HERE 

CAPTAIN CLEGG: BLU RAY REVIEW : TROY HOWARTH

An English coastal town serves as the haven for a gang of smugglers and it’s up to the intrepid Captain Collier (Patrick Allen) to unmask them and bring them to justice …

In 1961, Hammer embarked upon adapting the adventure stories of Russell Thorndike, hoping to bridge the gap between their Gothic horror films and their recent attempts at more “family friendly” swashbuckler fare, including Sword of Sherwood Forest (1960) and The Pirates of Blood River (1961). Their efforts were nearly squashed when word got out that Walt Disney acquired the rights to the stories and was mounting his own, bigger budgeted adaptation with Patrick McGoohan. Happily, a compromise was reached: Hammer would be allowed to use the 1937 film version of Doctor Syn as their template, provided they didn’t actually use the name of Dr. Syn.  Since this was the model they were looking to follow anyway, the matter was amicably resolved and the company was free to move forward with what would become Captain Clegg.

Released in the US under the more horrific title of Night Creatures, the film offers up some classic Hammer horror imagery while playing things in a lighter, more family-friendly key.  Bloodshed is kept to a minimum and the supernatural angle is rationally explained in the final reel.  The emphasis is more on derring do and adventure, with large doses of impish humor, though the opening scenes would seem to promise more scares and chills.  Many reference books therefore list the film as a horror film, but truth be told it’s no more horror in the strictest sense than their later “historical melodrama,” Rasputin the Mad Monk (1966).  Even so, the spooky imagery on display is very potent indeed and anybody willing to accept the film as a more genteel genre offering – a sort of Hammer Horror For The Whole Family – is hardly doing the film a disservice in doing so.

Peter Cushing gives one of his finest performances as the meek Reverend Dr. Blyss, who is in fact actually the notorious pirate Captain Clegg.  Clegg is believed to have been executed years before and indeed, for all intents and purposes this is the case: having narrowly escaped the hangman’s noose, he turns over a new leaf and settles down under his assumed identity, doing good deeds and rescuing his poor village from poverty… while still doing a little light smuggling on the side.  It’s a fascinating character which allows Cushing to switch between being soft spoken and grimly authoritative without missing a beat; in this sense, it’s something of a dry run for what is arguably his finest performance for Hammer, as Baron Frankenstein in Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed (1969), wherein his courtly exterior helps to mask a perverse and vile reality.  Captain Collier is the nominal hero, but he’s scripted as something of a dolt and Patrick Allen sensibly plays him that way, allowing Cushing to quietly steal their scenes.  Allen is very effective in the part, truth be told, and his willingness to play up the character’s thick-headed and self-righteous persona makes him a very satisfying adversary for Clegg.  23-year-old Oliver Reed, just a few years away from becoming England’s biggest box office draw, is very good as the dashing Harry.

Reed was one of the few younger actors at Hammer who could take the romantic interest roles and make them into something interesting and he certainly makes the best of his screen time here.  His love interest is played by Yvonne Romain, arguably the most drop dead gorgeous woman ever to grace a Hammer film, and she does well enough as the usual under written damsel in distress.  The supporting cast includes a number of stellar character actors: Jack MacGowran (The Fearless Vampire Killers, The Exorcist), David Loge (Corruption, The Return of the Pink Panther), Martin Benson (Gorgo, The Omen)… but if anybody comes close to stealing the show from its star, it’s the wonderful Michael Ripper.  Ripper was often squandered in minor roles for Hammer, but he has a rare meaty role in this films and he delivers a moving and amusing performance.

Well directed by Peter Graham Scott and boasting a stirring Don Banks soundtrack, Captain Clegg also moves at a good clip and holds up as a marvelous piece of Saturday matinee afternoon entertainment.

Captain Clegg makes its Blu-ray debut courtesy of Final Cut in the UK. The region B presentation has garnered some controversy online, but truly: when DOESN’T a Hammer Blu-ray release garner a bit of grousing?  On the downside, the master provided by Universal is overmatted at 2:1. This is simply what Final Cut had to work with and that’s all there is to it: all the complaining in the world isn’t going to result in a new master being struck for a relatively obscure catalogue title such as this. With that caveat in mind, the framing is thoughtfully done and doesn’t look unduly tight, excepting one or two shots here and there.  Colors are vivid, detail is strong and the source materials are in good shape.  Some of the optical effects look a little weak, but on the whole the image is robust and pleasing to the eye. The mono English soundtrack is very good, too: Banks’ score has lots of pep and the dialogue is easy to make out.

English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing are included.  Extras include a 30 minute featurette narrated by the wonderful John Carson title The Making of Captain Clegg.  Hammer historian Wayne Kinsey scripted and introduced the piece, which is mostly comprised of Carson talking over behind the scenes images and documents; Carson’s marvelous, James Mason-like voice makes this a pleasure to watch and Kinsey’s script packs in plenty of interesting information and production background.  Up next is another featurette, The Mossman Legacy: George Mossman’s Carriage Collection, wherein Kinsey takes us on a tour of the collection of carriages leant by the late George Mossman to English production companies, including Hammer.  It’s an interesting glimpse into a crucial but often neglected aspect of film production and breezes by at a mere 6 minutes. Lastly, there is a stills gallery.

Review Troy Howarth: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Haunted-World-of-Mario-Bava/357391387737585?ref_type=bookmark
AND https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Tome-of-Terror-by-Chris-Workman-and-Troy-Howarth/1385228475066376?ref_type=bookmark 

Images and Design Marcus Brooks

PURCHASE YOUR COPY OF CAPTAIN CLEGG HERE:

HERE 

 

WIN A COPY OF CAPTAIN CLEGG

HERE

#HAMMER FILMS: CAPTAIN CLEGG / NIGHT CREATURES YOURS TO WIN! TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE!

THIS SUNDAY 15th JUNE 2014! Can YOU take the test, and WIN? We have a PAIR of Final Cut Entertainment Blu Rays to give away this weekend!

TWO COMPETITIONS THIS WEEKEND AT PCASUK : DRACULA BLU RAYS, DRACULA SCRIPT AND CAPTAIN CLEGG BLU RAYS TO BE WON

Hello Everyone! Hope you've had a good week. It's Friday! #frankensteinfriday in fact! Couple of images then coming up for you later. Quite a crammed weekend over the next two days, ANOTHER competition 'So You think You Know Captain Clegg?, a chance to grab TWO COPIES of #finalcutentertainment's excellent blu ray release (on sale now out on 23rd June) There's still two days left to enter our 'So You Think You Know Dracula?' competition. (That wraps this weeknd Sunday 15th June) Plus we have some splendid stills for you tomorrow during our #onthesetsaturday posts... Plus all the usual stuff AND it's all World Cup Football free!!! Bargain!

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AHOY ME HEARTIES! SET YE TIME PIECE FOR THE WINNING OF 'CAPTAIN CLEGG' BLU RAY

AHOY ME HEARTIES! AVAST BEHIND, And all that...Get your sea legs ready, there's no time for hanging a jib, 'cause shiver me timbers, this weekend ye can grab yourselves, some real #PeterCushing #hammerfilms TREASURE, me beauties! And NO Crimping either! We've got some beautiful booty and plunder, A PAIR of fine blu ray's of the ol Captain himself..'CAPTAIN CLEGG'! Yours for WINNING! Still in their wraps they be and hot from the scallywags at Final Cut Entertainment. 

Join us for some grog, a tankard of Nelson's Folly, on the good lord's day, THIS SUNDAY 15th JUNE....and try thee luck at nabbing a copy for yourself in our competition. We'll be pulling out the bung hole and making much merriment, in celebration of  the ol' Captain. So, all hands on deck and get ye coxswain to steer ye a path, to our landing party here. All rapscallions and 'Brethren Of The Coast', most welcome. Be seeing ye, me handsomes..... AYE!

PRE ORDER YOUR COPY HERE

FINAL CUT ENTERTAINMENT: CAPTAIN CLEGG NIGHT CREATURES BLU REVIEW

#hammerfilms 'CAPTAIN CLEGG' ' 'NIGHT CREATURES' blu ray starring Peter Cushing is due for street release on Monday 23rd Jun 2014. NEXT WEEK we'll be posting a full review of the blu ray and it's extras... PLUS you can WIN yourself some copies too

BEHIND THE SCENES: SYDNEY BROMLEY OLD TOM KETCH : NIGHT CREATURES CAPATIN CLEGG (1962)

Peter Cushing as Captain Clegg / Dr Blyss in Night Creatures / Captain Clegg (1962)...and two behind the scenes shots featuring actor Sydney Bromley, who you may remember playing terrified Old Tom Ketch in the film. Bromley had to fall backwards into a frog filled pond behind him, and land on a sunken mattress. Well, poor old Bromley missed the mattress, and hurt his back. The image on the right shows director Peter Graham Scott, giving him a helping hand out of the bog!

NEWS: NIGHT CREATURES / CAPTAIN CLEGG AND PHANTOM OF THE OPERA GET BLU RAY RELEASES

Final Cut is to release Peter Cushing's 'NIGHT CREATURES / CAPTAIN CLEGG' plus Hammer Films 'PHANTOM OF THE OPERA' on BLU RAY and DVD for March - June 2014. Barbara Shelley's 'SHADOW OF THE CAT' gets a release on dvd too. Unfortunately no hi def avaiable for a blu ray. All come with subs for the hard of hearing...Are we happy? More news on these releases coming up.

 

 

 

 

PETER CUSHING: YVONNE ROMAIN: OLIVER REED: CAPTAIN CLEGG : NIGHT CREATURES

SYNOPSIS:

During 1776 there was a notorious pirate sailing the high seas named Captain Clegg. When one of his crew, a mulatto (Milton Reid), killed his wife shortly after she gave birth, he cut out the man's tongue and marooned him on an island on the coral reef - however, this man was picked up by a passing ship later on... Moving forward to 1792, and the Romney Marshes in southern England are host to smugglers who the King's men are desperately trying to catch and stop from illegally importing alcohol without paying duty on it. 

One of the villages on the marsh has Dr Blyss (Peter Cushing) as its mild-mannered pastor, and today he is giving a sermon to the townsfolk in the local church. A troupe of the King's men led by Captain Collier (Patrick Allen) arrive in the area at the same time - will they uncover any wrongdoing?

COMMENTARY:

Captain Clegg, or Night Creatures as it was known overseas by a less giveaway title, was a Hammer exploit in the historical adventure stakes, a remake of the nineteen-thirties George Arliss vehicle Dr. Syn. Although it has elements of a horror film, it's not really part of that genre; in spite of the spectres haunting the marshes and the touches of macabre and the occasional brutalities, it's more of a romp, played straight but with the odd item of wit to lighten the story. It was scripted by Anthony Hinds under his John Elder pen name, with additional dialogue from Barbara S. Harper, and wins you over with its spirit and atmosphere.

That said, it's not what you could call surprising, so it's a better watch if you're feeling indulgent towards its predictability - although the film attempts to play games with the viewer's expectations, there's no doubt about who is doing the smuggling and who is really who under an assumed name. Cushing is a lot of fun here, whether preaching from his pulpit and encouraging his congregation to sing with more gusto, or revealed as the mastermind behind the illegal activities, here painting him as something of a Robin Hood figure with the best of intentions toward the villagers, if not the badly-behaved soldiers.

Every Robin Hood needs his Sheriff of Nottingham just as every good hero (or anti-hero, I guess) needs a formidable villain to show him off to his best advantage, and here the stern, booming-voiced Allen is the equal of Cushing. The plot throws in who turns out to be the daughter of Clegg, Imogene (Yvonne Romain), who works as the serving wench at the inn and wishes to marry Harry (Oliver Reed as a romantic type), the son of the squire, but how will he react when he finds out her lineage? 

Then there's the mute mulatto from the prologue who is kept on a leash by the soldiers and sniffs out any illegal alcohol - why does he seem to recognise Dr Blyss? Well, it's not too difficult to work out, is it? It's nice to see Hammer regulars like Reid and Michael Ripper, especially good as the undertaker, get a bit more to do than usual, and overall Captain Clegg proves most diverting, if never inspiring. What it really needed was a good old-fashioned swordfight. Music by Don Banks. 

REVIEW SOURCE: HERE
IMAGES: Marcus Brooks 

BEHIND THE SCENES OF CAPTAIN CLEGG: HAMMER FILMS: PETER CUSHING YVONNE ROMAIN AND OLIVER REED PHOTOGRAPH

GETTING THE VOWS RIGHT: Peter Cushing with the Rev Sidney Doran, vicar of Bray, helping Peter with rehearsing the marriage vows for Oliver Reed and Yvonne Romain's characters in Hammer Films CAPTAIN CLEGG / NIGHT CREATURES (1961)

HAMMER FILM PRODUCTIONS: 'CAPTAIN CLEGG' TONGUE IN CHEEK BEHIND THE SCENES PHOTOGRAPH (1962)

A great tongue-in-check photograph taken during the making of Hammer Film productions 'Captain Clegg' aka 'Night Creatures' (1962) starring Peter Cushing. Here we have Patrick Allen as Capt Collier and his Queens Customs men waiting at the bus stop! I think they would have needed something a little faster than a Number ten bus to catch Clegg, Mipps and the 'marsh phantoms'!

PETER CUSHING : BEHIND THE SCENES : HAMMER FILM PRODUCTIONS: 'CAPTAIN CLEGG' VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPH