WITHOUT GETTING PLASTERED TARKIN MAY NEVER HAVE RETURNED PLUS A HAMMER GLAMOUR BIRTHDAY!

THINK ABOUT IT! This #THROWBACK THURSDAY post at the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE today, has prompted some memories. Make up artist, the late STUART FREEBORN was responsible among many other excellent creations, like the appearnce  #STARWARS YODA, made the prosthetic giant EYE for Cushing Book Store character in the 1984 film, 'Top Secret'. The practice of getting an actor to come into the workshop, and have his ENTIRE face in latex rubber or plaster, was common practice back in the day. Hammer make up artist, Roy Ashton had a whole collection of actors and actresses faces and heads, that he used to produce the latex attachments of some of the studios, best monsters and creatures! 

I GUESS, Freeborn would never have guessed that HIS plaster face of Peter Cushing would go on to be quite central and MAJOR and contentious step in the creation of the CGI Grand Moff Tarkin in the film, 'ROGUE ONE'. FX creators Industrial Light and Magic, found there was little on file, of actual helpful and accurate reference material on Cushing's features and face. A mass of artwork, but only Freeborn's plaster head, could provide the measurements and dimensions that were needed, along with footage of Peter Cushing's performance on the big screen as Tarkin in 'Star Wars: A New Hope, from 1977, to make the CGI possible. The role of the Book Store Owner, was a small guest role and one that Cushing could have easily have passed on. A fact no doubt, that could have effected the potential of making Tarkin's return, along with Guy Henry's assistance . .  a non starter! 

TODAY WE ALSO MARK the birthday of Stephanie Beacham. Beacham has had a very full career on stage, screen and television. Star of tv's 'Tenko', 'The Colbys' 'Dynasty' 'Bad Girls' and 'SeaQuest'... she has also slipped in an episode of 'Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense'. Her Peter Cushing connection links to two films, 'Dracula AD 1972' playing Jessica Van Helsing, granddaughter to Peter Cushing. and 'And Now, The Screaming Starts'... Please join us in wishing her a Happy Birthday!

STEPHANIE BEACHAM: 'My mother Joan had chicken pox when she was pregnant so I was born with no nerve endings in my right ear. I’m totally deaf in that ear and I have just 80% hearing in my left ear. I’ve never heard in stereo and where most people’s hearing is three dimensional, mine is all on the same plane. Background and foreground sounds flatten, out so a car coming down the road is as loud as a person’s voice right next to me. I was taken to a specialist when I was four. They said, ‘She’s perfectly intelligent,’ and my mother said very snappily, ‘I realise that. I know she’s intelligent, she just can’t hear’.
 

'ONE OF THE BIGGEST problems was that deafness and stupidity were often linked together because a speech defect often accompanies the deafness. I’ve never had a speech defect but I still got called ‘Deaf Steph’ at school and because I often didn’t know people were talking to me I’d walk right past them and they assumed I was snooty. In my adult life I’ve always struggled with people sitting to my right at dinner parties as I can’t hear a word and I’ve had to avoid pop concerts or noisy clubs because of my lack of nerve endings. As for my future health, I fully intend to age naturally without cosmetic surgery and there’s nothing that can be done about my saggy neck, apart from a bulldog clip. I’m convinced mental and physical flexibility is the secret to staying young and yoga provides that for me. I’m also aware that you become what you eat so I’ll continue to steer clear of fizzy drinks and too much sugar or salt." - Daily Mirror Newspaper 2107

 

AGREE WITH OUR SCORING? HORRIBLE DEATHS WEDNESDAY! GIFS!

I JUST LOVE that cutaway shot to Cushing, as poor ol stunt man Jock Easton, blindly stumbles around. ON FIRE, before he falls through the skylight window. It's almost as if Cushing's can not believe, what Hammer has managed to get this poor stunt man to do, for his couple of quid! Peter Cushing as the Baron with Christopher Lee, stunt work by Jock Easton in Hammer films, THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1957) Painful and ungraceful way of exiting. 7 out of 10.

I GUESS after CATWEAZLE, CROWMAN and maybe Herbert Lom's psychiatrist in Peter Sellers PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN, the late and lovely GEOFFREY BAYLDON  will always be remembered for that incredibly frightening laugh while  bumping off ROBERT POWELL, in AMICUS films 'ASYLUM'. (1972) I often wonder while watching this scene . . .did Geoffrey, just DO the laugh, for the very first time, when they shot that scene OR had everyone on set, already heard it, before, while rehearsing...and if they didn't have any clue that Bayldon was going to do that. I would have LOVED to have seen their faces, and heard the silence AFTER Roy Ward Baker called, 'CUT'! A TRULY CREEPY 9 out of ten.

#HORRIRBLEDEATHSWEDNESDAY! Jeepers CREEPERS! Peter Cushing's Herbert Flay and friends, bring about his gruesome end in MADHOUSE (1974) When you consider the grief he put Price's PAUL TOOMBES through, it seems  only right that, Flay should deserve such a terrible fate.  There's that very  nasty bit, in the beginning of this shot, just before the dissolve, where one of the spiders, walks across Cushing's MOUTH! Anything for the good of the scene, that was Peter, I am sure. Picture it, 'Yes, Yes . . ' says Peter, 'Let the chap wander, and over my face if nesscessary.....!' Nibbled, and paralyzed by several Arachnids,  in a tank. Good show! EIGHT out of TEN.

DAVID OXLEY as the evil Sir HUGO Baskerville, getting set upon by the Hound of Hell, and there by starting the legend, of the giant canine that roamed the moors, just waiting to snag the next toff from the Baskerville clan. I love the detail, of the dripping blood running from the rock, where the slain servant lies. Yup, he was a violent piece of work, and I hate a guy, who can't handle his booze. He certainly, deserved worse. Mangled like a dog's favorite rubber chewie bone. SIX out of TEN

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

#SILENTBUTDEADLY : A COUPLE OF CRACKING GIFS REQUESTED BY COUPLES!

#SILENTBUTDEADLY: WELCOME TO OUR WEEKLY WEDNESDAY REQUESTED GALLERY:  GIFS HAVE NO AUDIO. ARE SILENT, THEY HAVE BEEN SELECTED FROM MOMENTS OF HIGH DRAMA AND HORROR IN THE WORK OF PETER CUSHING . . . . 

THIS WEEK'S GIF GALLERY has been requested by partners and couples who are fans of the work of Peter Cushing and follow our facebook fan page and website! 

#SILENTBUTDEADLY: IF CHRISTOPHER LEE IS in the cast of a movie, and he is going to die, you know, you are going to get value for your money! Lee died a thousand deaths in movies, and his death scenes total over 20 or more, ...a fact that wasn't lost on the late Sir Christopher himself...he devoted an entire chapter to the subject in his autobiography, 'Tall, Dark and Gruesome: Lord of Misrule'. I have intend over the years, to actually draw up a list of my favourite top ten Christopher Lee Deaths, but as yet, I can't settle on the titles, as there is SO MUCH to choose from! That wasn't a problem for Fang Girl and Fang Boy who sent us a message this week, and voted, Lee meeting his sticky end in Planet films, 'Night Of The Big Heat' (1966) their all time fav. Death by sucking! Next time you are in your local McDonald's treating yourself to one of their tasty THICK SHAKES, and you can't get the thing started, just call 011-666-SILICATE-SUCK-MY-SHAKE, and one will be around in a jiffy, and will get that sucker up the straw and pumping, in a jiffy!

YOU CAN SEND US YOUR REQUESTS FOR OUR WEEKLY GIF GALLERY BY EITHER MESSAGING US  AT OUR PETER CUSHING FACEBOOK FAN PAGE OR BY EMAILING YOUR REQUEST  BY EMAIL: PETERCUSHINGPCAS@GMAIL.COM

A DREADFUL RECOGNITION : PETER CUSHING as Prof Mayback Von Klaus in the New Avengers episode, 'The Eagle's Nest' (1976). Von Klaus was kidnapped and set to work resurrecting a deceased individual from the world's past. It is here that the identity of who he brought back from the dead, is revealed. A very good story, and perfect for the rebooting of The Avengers television series. That Cushing should be chosen to star in that first episode, is a nice touch. Cushing had played Paul Beresford in the 1967 'Return of the Cybernauts' episode, a popular, stand out story in the series. Mrs and Mr Peel of Doncaster, England (!!) Have asked for anything from the 'Eagle's Nest' episode. I thought, this was a would do the trick!

THE RESURRECTED: DIGGING UP THE DEAD is the stuff of nightmares, and so it is in Hammer films, 'Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell' (1974). The Baron's latest creation, goes on the rampage in the grounds of the asylum, where he is held captive, on escaping into the grounds, he goes in search of some answers, and hopes one of those answers is to be found in the asylum cemetery. 

WATCHING THIS film recently with friends, we touched on how the creature is shown in a light of great sympathy in his scenes. Much time is given to the exploring of the impact suffered by the resurrected character, who becomes the Baron's latest project. Dave Prowse has never got recognition for the role he played as the Creature in this film. It's one thing to try and emote pathos for such a pathetic creature, it's another trying to do some with a couple of pounds of latex rubber on your face an body. Many on watching can't get passed the somewhat clumsy arrangement of the make up and costume, and for them, that completely distracts and spoils the film. Personally, I forgave the short coming of the budget and make up years ago, and take much pleasure from the performances of Cushing, Shane Briant, Madeline Smith, Prowse and the assembled 'top draw' cameos, seen by many as the weakest in the series, in my humble, it ranks with the all-time best. Mr Robin and Terry Maggs, hold this opinion too, and requested this shot specifically....Yesterday was the anniversary of the LONDON OPENING of this film, May 2nd 1972, even though the film was made TWO YEARS PREVIOUSLY in 1974! Sadly, it didn't perform well. Do you think the years have been kinder to this film??

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 reach our 30K following total for Peter Cushing BIRTHDAY on MAY 26th 2017 AND Help Keep The Memory Alive!

YOU REVIEW: MILL CREEK THE GORGON : SCOTT JONES

The YOU REVIEW feature: All YOU REVIEW features are complete and unedited  written reviews  independently submitted by followers of the Peter Cushing Appreciation Society , it's website and Facebook Fan Page. The opinions here in, are solely the authors and are shared here with the purpose and intent of providing a guide to dvd's and blu rays recently released featuring the work of Peter Cushing.  All viewing equipment used for the reviews is domestic and typical of the range of players and tv monitors used in a domestic viewing environment.

Mill Creek Entertainment's Hammer Films Double Feature: The Two Faces of Dr Jekyll and The Gorgon : Theatrical Release: 1964 : Blu Ray Release Date: 09/06/16 Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Widescreen Duration: 84 Minutes Featuring: Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee Directed By: Terence Fisher

"The only thing wrong with "The Gorgon" is the gorgon!" Sir Christopher Lee

While Sir Christopher Lee's humorous quote above isn't 100% accurate, he does make a very valid point in regards to this film. The Gorgon is a 1964 Hammer release and by all accounts it is a top tier Hammer film. Gloriously shot and directed by Terence Fisher, A Hammer stalwart, it has a  vibrant color palate, beautifully rendered matte paintings and the workman like professionalism of Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee's performances are, as always, standouts. However, in saying that the special effects budget could have been given a significant boost to make The Gorgon a perfect Hammer film. The reveal of Megeara at the conclusion of the third act is almost laughable. Cheaply designed wigs and rubber snakes on wires can only go so far to terrorize a viewer. Up to that point the film is fantastically creepy and it maintains it's pace at a steady rate. If only it wasn't for that reveal. I am laughing whilst typing this.I believe this is one of the few, if only in fact, of Hammer's films steeped in Greek mythology. Overall, it works and is a nice departure from the two 'bigs' of the Hammer world Dracula and Frankenstein.

Enough about the quality of the film itself and story. This is a review of the Mill Creek Entertainment Blu Ray release for Hammer Films Double Features. This particular collection contains The Gorgon and The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll. I must admit I have yet to watch The Two Faces of Dr. Jeckyll, but will remedy that soon enough. I would like to preface this review by reminding the reader that this film was released in 1964 on a budget of approximately 150,000 English pounds. A preposterously low budget even for the times.  This release is in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio so the entire screen of your television will be taken up by the film, no black bars. I don't know if a better aspect ratio would have assisted the film in it's tightness but to my eyes I felt it looked marvelous. The colors pop, detail is incredible and for being recorded in Mono the music is frightening and beautiful while the dialogue is easily heard and not muddled.

One problem I had was the obvious difference in film quality between the set shots (which are vibrant and clear) to the "day for night" shots which are grainy and hard to see. However, I have only ever seen this film previously on television from horrible prints and bad resolution so Mill Creek, in my mind, did a bang up job of cleaning this film up as best they could. Again, for a 52 year old low budget horror film, it really comes to life on blu ray. I believe if Mill Creek would have gone for a higher bit rate, say 50m as opposed to 25m and made the disc a dual layer it may have  made some difference but I am not technologically inclined enough o make that a 100% true statement. There are no bonus features or subtitles but for the cost, less than $10 for two classic horror films on a budget release blu ray, I see no problem with this in any way.

Peter Cushing (Dr. Namaroff) is amazing in this film, as usual, his professionalism overcomes the quality and or price tag for any film he appears in. Funnily enough, I found Christopher Lee's character (Prof. Karl Meister) to be the comic relief! "Ill? You must have been in your grave and dug your way out!" Don't use long words, Inspector; they don't suit you." The supporting characters are all well played and I was never distracted by any kind of overacting. My problems with the gorgon herself (a very scary looking Prudence Hyman) are merely aesthetic. When she appears in long shots or in reflection she is certifiably frightful. If only if it wasn't for the final reveal. $1,000 more dollars and they could have fixed it, but I have heard that the production had literally run out of money by that point and boy does it show.

So, overall, well done Mill Creek! I have been waiting for years for a decent quality release of The Gorgon and now I have one. We should count ourselves lucky that we as fans have access to these films at all, let alone released on blu ray.

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