NEWS: CLASSIC DRACULA AND FRANKENSTEIN ENTIRE SCORES PREMIERE ON CD RELEASE THIS SUMMER

NEWS: COMING THIS SUMMER! 'Dracula / Horror of Dracula' and 'The Curse of Frankenstein' World Premiere digital recording of the COMPLETE scores composed by James Bernard, from the classic Hammer horror films, starring #PeterCushing and #ChristopherLee. Performed by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and conducted by Nic Raine. Scores reconstructed by Leigh Phillips. CD booklet notes by Hammer film score and music aficionado, David Huckvale. Produced by James Fitzpatrick and Leigh Phillips. Release Summer 2019. These releases are not to be confused with any previous Hammer film soundtrack releases on CD. More NEWS and details as we get it 😉 - Marcus

ABOVE A LARGE SCAN taken from our original press kit photograph of Christopher Lee and Melissa Stribling in Hammer films, 'Dracula' / 'Horror of Dracula. It was this photograph that amazing artist Bill Wiggins, used for the UK quad cinema poster. That poster sold in auction last year in Ireland for £14,000 
 

NEWS: THE HOUSE THAT DRIPPED BLOOD : SOUNDTRACK VINYL LP LIMITED RELEASE

NEWS: JUST LAST WEEK, 'Kritzerland' exclusively released something that would look and SOUND very nice in anyone's Amicus Films collection, the soundtrack vinyl LP to the 1971 portmanteau thriller / horror, THE HOUSE THAT DRIPPED BLOOD . . and very nice it sounds too! I have never been a fan of most of the Amicus scores, but composer Michael Dress certainly offers more than what was often quite abstract and contemporary and personally the 'tunes' of Elisabeth Lutyens or the swings of Douglas Gamley in Amicus' The Beast Must Die', didn't do much for me.

HOWEVER, the score of THTDB has some gems. Not a lot is known about composer Michael Dress, but his very short filmography does include some very interesting films and scores, including Quackser Fortune Has a Cousin in the Bronx, which starred a very young Gene Wilder, and an interesting sci-fi film, The Mind of Mr. Soames, as well as A Touch of Love, starring Sandy Dennis.

FEATURE AND GALLERY ON CUSHING AND 'THE HOUSE THAT DRIPPED BLOOD' HERE!

DRESS CREATED a wonderfully atmospheric score – some of it lives in the world of Humphrey Searle’s The Haunting, but Dress’s music is his own and it really gives the stories in the film an interesting texture and feel. There’s a lot of percussion and weird effects, organ, a solo female voice floating in the air, harpsichord, vibes, strings – it’s all very hallucinogenic and off-kilter and really wonderful. This is the premiere release of The House that Dripped Blood. The transfers were made from the 35mm magnetic music-only mixing elements and the mono sound is crisp and clear and really excellent. You can find more details about this release later today at the PCAS website and a source were you can sample a few tracks. It's wonderful news that even though this is a very limited release, for those who appreciate and collect such rare items, this is now available to add to your collection Is there a AMICUS score you would love on CD???

MORE ON PETER CUSHING and AMICUS FILMS, THE HOUSE THAT DRIPPED BLOOD HERE! 

 

TO PLACE YOUR ORDER for THE HOUSE THAT DRIPPED BLOOD soundtrack CD and to sample some TRACKS just CLICK HERE! 

#TUESDAYTREATS : VAMPIRE VINYL WAS A WINNER BEFORE VHS AND BLU RAYS!

SOMETHING NEW for Tuesday's ...since we have put our 'Tuesday Toughy' to sleep for a while. TREATS for TUESDAY! Do you own these and if so, do you play them... or do you have the cd's?? These were amazing when first released and the Dracula quadrophonic sound was quite a blast back then! A great shame the third album was never released ☹️😦 Over at the Facebook PCASUK FAN PAGE we have asked, do you know what the theme of that album was? It was narrated by #PeterCushing! 😊You can hear BOTH albums complete over at the PCASUK YouTube channel,  LINKS BELOW!

FROM SERIAL TO CEREAL : WIN A DALEK : HUGE GALLERY : CALLUM MCKELVIE PART TWO

FOLLOWING ON FROM last week’s piece, I’m now turning my attention towards the second Dalek film, Daleks Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. Released in 1967, right at the very end of ‘Dalekmania’, Invasion Earth was not as warmly received as its predecessor despite my thinking it the superior film. My DR WHO AND THE DALEKS REVIEW AND GALLERY HERE! However, it still has a slew of interesting facts and tid bits concerning its production and release...

OF COURSE ONE of the more infamous aspects of the films production and marketing concerns the ‘Sugar Puffs’ sponsorship. On the one hand, this was extremely beneficial, assisting in the films financing and helping immensely with marketing. Examples of this include the Daleks featuring in Sugar Puffs television commercials, on the front of cereal boxes and of course a competition to win one of the Dalek props. 

THE NEGATIVE SIDE concerns the product placement that features regularly throughout the film, most notably on the walls during the opening sequence in which the Tardis is covered in rubble. It’s not damaging to the film in any particular way, but it is somewhat distracting when considering the film is supposed to be set in an apocalyptic future. I mean, did all other forms of food run out during the Dalek invasion and everyone went Sugar Puff mad?

WHEN BUILDING DALEKS for this film it might seem an obvious assumption that the Daleks were simply edited and re-used from the first film. Unfortunately due to prize giveaways and tours these Daleks numbers had been sufficiently depleted. With a number of new props built others were taken from the Curse of the Daleks stage-play and sufficiently remodelled. 

IN TOTAL NINETEEN were used with Terry Nation (Dalek creator) going on to own four. The rest, reputedly were left on the Shepperton backlot to rot. Nations Daleks would spend the next few years appearing on tours, being used for photoshoots and fairs. One of the Dalek props would get another chance to show off its acting chops- albeit on the small screen, appearing opposite Jon Pertwee’s third doctor in Planet of the Daleks.

THIS DALEK WAS SUITABLY ‘pimped’ out, having been repainted gold and black and appearing with a torch instead of an eyestalk. It looks suitably impressive and despite not getting much screen-time, steals the show. Nation's Daleks would continue to make public appearances for the rest of the 1970’s including the stage show Doctor Who and the Daleks in Seven keys to Doomsday.

OTHER MORE CONVENTIONAL and traditional marketing appear to have been a little less extreme this time around. Perhaps Subotsky, reassured by the massive success of the first film, decided to cost-cut in this area? That’s not to say there wasn’t any however. Some fascinating behind the scenes footage remains in a television programme entitled ''A WHOLE SCENE GOING ON' (1966) which features a fascinating interview with director Gordon Flemying, who discusses his motivations for wanting to direct BOTH Peter Cushing / Dalek feature film and how he chooses to work. Hammer stalwart Eddie Powell gets a shout-out and features in a few clips, setting up for stunts during the final battle sequence within the Dalek base. Cushing can also be seen walking around set and preparing for scenes

ONE OF THE MORE INTERESTING promotional aspects concerns the films soundtrack, which was adapted and presented by Gordon Gow for the BBC Light programme. Aired on November 18 1966 as part of the Movietime series, I’ve been unable to discover if any copy of this broadcast remains. There is however, the original soundtrack recordings, lovingly restored from the vaults of Pinewood Studios, and presented with 20 page booklet from Silvascreen. Some of the vibrant period scores written by Malcolm Lockyer and Bill McGuffie, also have sections enhanced by electronic sounds created by Barry Gray, famed for his work with Gerry Anderson.

DALEKS INVASION EARTH 2150 AD would be the final film in the series although a third film was planned, any ideas were shelved when 2150 AD didn't  hit the lucrative mark of its predecessor. However that’s not to say that that this would be the end for the Cushing doctor. Cushing himself maintained that he had been asked to take the role on for television 

IN EARLY 2010, it was discovered that Cushing did indeed reprise the role, although not on television or the big screen.  A promotional bill announcing the commencement of recording, 'JOURNEY INTO TIME' in ISSUE FIVE had appeared in the pages of the Peter Cushing Appreciation Society Journal, way back in 1981. It took until 2011, for anyone else to realise that the bill was indeed genuine, and seriously take up the research. Cushing recorded a pilot episode in the late 1960's, with the company mentioned in bill, STANMARK and Watermill Productions. However, the pilot came to nothing and sadly, the tapes have since been lost. The recording is thought to have been a thirty minute radio pilot for a proposed series, written by well-known Doctor Who script writer, Malcolm Hulke (creator of the Silurian’s and Sea Devils amongst other well-known monsters). All 52 episodes were to have been produced for Australia and other overseas territories. The plot concerned the Doctor and his companion 'Mike' journeying to the American Revolution.

FOR TWO SCI-FI 'kid's flicks', the Dalek movies have certainly left something of an impression. As I said in my reviews they are incredibly controversial which seems surprising due to their lighthearted nature and just how fun they are.  Love them or loathe them they certainly have an interesting history, though I feel I may be staying away from WHO for a while now, having already devoted four articles to it! I hope you have enjoyed them. Peter Cushing's work is all incredibly interesting and who knows, what we will be featuring here next Sunday? I HOPE you'll come along and find out!

If you want to know more about the Dalek props then I highly recommend visiting HERE!’, a site which features a complete and in-depth breakdown of what happened to both sets of movie Daleks. ALSO these sites are recommended too! http://www.doctorwho.tv/ and HERE!

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! HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMES BERNARD PLUS HAMMER THEME

Today, 20th September marks the birthday of the late JAMES BERNARD composer of many of Hammer films greatest music scores,starring Peter Cushing. Probably best remembered for his music score for Hammer films, Dracula (1958). It featured a motif based on the name... Dra-cu-laaaaa.... However, he could also write lushly romantic melodies, such as appear in Frankenstein Created Woman (1967), Taste the Blood of Dracula (1970) and Scars of Dracula (1970). Unlike the majority of film composers, Bernard orchestrated almost all of his work.

Bernard's first major break as a composer was at the age of 17 when he met Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears, for whom Bernard later wrote a song cycle. Other memorable Hammer scores include The Curse of Frankenstein (1957), She (1964),The Kiss of the Vampire (1962), The Plague of the Zombies (1966) and The Devil Rides Out (1968).

TRIVIA: James Bernard was educated at Wellington College, which actor Christopher Lee also attended....

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     

EUREKA THE SKULL BLU RAY AND DVD COMPETITION PLUS FULL REVIEW

THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED. HERE ARE THE WINNERS!

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 

OVER VIEW:

This is for many the quintessential Amicus film. Adapted for the screen by ‘Mr. Amicus’ himself, Milton Subotsky, it adheres pretty closely to Robert 'Psycho' Bloch's short story 'The Skull of the Marquis De Sade' and it is one of Bloch's best. It’s pity that for many he is still remembered for 'that' novel alone.

SYNOPSIS:

CONTAINS SPOILERS! After the 6-min pre-credit set in the early 19th century, phrenologist Pierre (Maurice Good) robs the grave of the notorious Marquis de Sade and steals his skull. Soon after, he pays the dire consequences…Forward to the present 1965 and we’re at an auction (Michael Gough appears briefly as the auctioneer). In attendance are two collectors of objects d’art. It won't be too difficult for you to work out who they are: Peter Cushing as ‘Dr. Christopher Maitland’ and Christopher Lee as ‘Sir Matthew Phillips’. Both are keen to acquire a collection of satanic statuettes. Phillips has more money and outbids Maitland by offering an absurdly high price for the figures in question. Maitland’s seedy and snuff taking oppo Marco (Patrick Wymark) also advises him to hold back, “he's got more money than you have". Perhaps it should be pointed out that Wymark's ploy with the snuff is tantamount to what McQueen did with his hat in The Magnificent Seven.

Shortly afterwards Marco arrives at Maitland's period London home and sells him a book (the life of that debauched libertine, the said Marquis) bound in human skin! Marco is a supplier of such curiosa and Maitland is a fevered collector and is “none too fussy” as regards the provenance of said items. The next day, Marco arrives with a skull claiming it to be that of de Sade. For this he asks a very high price but then agrees to accept a much lower offer, hence Maitland suspects it is a fake. Marco claims he wants to get rid of it as it gives him the jitters. Pretty soon after, our seedy supplier makes his appointment with the grim reaper. Maitland visits his old acquaintance Sir Phillips who, over a game of snooker, informs his colleague that the skull is genuine enough: “My dear fellow, that skull was stolen from me! And I advise you to keep well away from it!” Does Maitland heed the warning? Don't be daft! We all know that no good will come of it. He then steals the skull from Marco's Soho flat, accidentally killing dodgy landlord Bert Travers (Peter Woodthorpe) in the process. And now Maitland’s nightmare is just about to begin, including a beautifully done dream sequence.

THE CASTING:

Cushing (who after this was never again billed above Lee) is at his best as the fevered and tortured occult collector Maitland. A similar role for him came later in The Creeping Flesh. Second billed Patrick Wymark has all the best lines including a tasty monologue giving a brief yet somewhat exaggerated account of the man “whose name has become a byword for sadism”. And a succulent performance it is too from the revered stage actor. The late Christopher Lee adds his usual cold and austere pomposity to the proceedings, who else could get away with it. Peter Woodthorpe is hilarious as landlord Bert. Stalwarts Nigel Green and Amicus fave Patrick Magee are on hand as the law, though stage actress Jill Bennett is somewhat wasted as Maitland's wife.

SUMMING UP:
Director Freddie Francis has done a sterling job here, and the action seen through the eyes of the skull adds a particularly effective and chilling touch. For these scenes a huge, presumably polystyrene skull was used. John Wilcox's photography did the job amply. You really can feel Cushing's panic through those close-ups! As is usual with the dialogue-hating Subotsky, it is kept to a minimum. Indeed, there is hardly any for the last third of the film. Which must have been a welcome opportunity for the then in-house classical composer Elizabeth Lutyens who very much has to be praised for her score… an integral part of the film's success. The Skull is drenched in atmosphere and its claustrophobic feel (practically no location work or day shots here) only enhances the splendidly spooky vibe throughout. A classic of the genre!

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

This Dual Format Edition offers the following EXTRAS:
• 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 and author Kim Newman
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and new artwork
• Limited Edition Collector's Booklet, featuring an essay by Vic Pratt

Review Source: HERE

Images and Design: Marcus Brooks

 Please come join us at our FACEBOOK FAN PAGE: HERE 

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

ON DUAL BLU RAY AND DVD RELEASE!

- See more at: http://petercushingblog.blogspot.co.uk/#sthash.sYCf2IE0.dpuf