THIS MONTH 'OCTOBER 2019' marks the 49th anniversary of a Peter Cushing
Hammer film, that kind of shook up the 'adult' content of his future
'horror films', for Hammer. 'The Vampire Lovers' is a neat short clip of raw footage, unedited and
very entertaining, from a BBC film programme that featured the making of
the film in 1970. This was shared here quite a long time ago, so
certainly worth a re-airing today! Peter is seen very relaxed, having a
giggle about an actor he spotted on the train, who was quite the
character... and liked... a glass, or two..
or three. Director Roy Ward Baker, ever the pro, arranges shots,
lighting and motivation . . there is a charming shot of Ingrid Pitt too,
in this her first leading role and third film. You can't help but
notice the huge difference between Cushing's character voice and
authority .. and that of the softest, sweetest gentleman, chatting while
having his hair stylds by the lovely Pearl Tipaldi, the production
hair-dresser. Enjoy!
'THE VAMPIRE LOVERS' was released in the UK on October 4th 1970, making a star of it's lead, #IngridPitt. For the future, she would always be known as a #ScreamQueen, playing a vampire in her next film for Amicus, 'The House That Dripped Blood' and 'vampire with a twist' in Hammer's #CountessDracula' also in 1971.
The film did well at the box office. Cushing was almost supporting with
actors Douglas Wilmer and George Cole along with love interests of Jon
Finch and #MadelineSmith and #KateOMara, pulling together a script based on Sheridan Le Fanu's classic vampire tale, 'Carmilla'.
THE CENSOR LAWS lost their grip, man in macs queued in the rain to see botts and bosom's compete with #blood and #fangs
. . there was no turning back after this one. It provided a much
needed zap to the now, slightly predictable Hammer presentations . . #vampires for Hammer would never be the same again. So it's Happy Birthday The Vampire Lovers Where does #TheVampiresLovers sit on your TOP TEN of Cushing #Hammerfilms 😮 ..
INCLUDED in this photo selection, I have reposted SIX rare contact / proof sheets of stills from the film, that were posted a while ago. Some really like and collect these, and have told me you missed them when first posted, so here they are again, for your pleasure!
