NOT THAT LONG AGO IN A GALAXY NOT THAT FAR AWAY : NOTHING IS ORIGINAL

IF YOU WRITE, BE IT FOR a blog, facebook page or even for your own amusement, do you ever feel like all the great ideas have already been taken by the ‘real’ writers out there?  Do you ever think that maybe you’re not capable of an original idea? Me? I fight with it daily! Pablo Picasso once said, 'Nothing is truly original; we all build on the work, knowledge, wisdom and accomplishments of others'. In the inspiring book, 'Steal Like an Artist, 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative - by Austin Kleon, he states, 'Nobody is born with a style or a voice. We don’t come out of the womb knowing who we are. In the beginning, we learn by pretending to be our heroes.  We learn by copying' and 'We’re talking about practice here, not plagiarism – plagiarism is trying to pass someone else’s work off as your own.  Copying is about reverse engineering.  It’s like a mechanic taking apart a car to see how it works!' With these gems of wisdom already in mind, I recently came across a quite startling feature, that has appeared at the tvandmovienews.com site. 

ABOVE : Even without the photograph of Peter Cushing provided on the right. I think most film buffs would identify the illustration on the left to have more than a shadow of a resemblance to Cushing's appearance as Grand Moff Tarkin in 'Star Wars' (1977)? When you find that the character is also of ranking and an Ambassador in the 1975 Valérian volume 'Ambassador of the Shadows', it clicks?

ABOVE : In the 1971's Empire of a Thousand Planets, the figure on the left appears as a member of a strange group known as the 'Enlightened'. When he is unmasked, he reveals a  face that is damaged, scarred and burned, similarly to Darth Vader's on the right in the 1983 'The Return of the Jedi'

THE FEATURE and writing appears uncredited and explores a story that seems to have been quite common knowledge in the 'Star Wars' community for quite sometime, but for me, not being a reader of comic sci fi fiction, it's all news! It's such a startling theory and reveal, that I had to go look it up further. As it's base is grounded on the idea of plagiarism and theft, I was somewhat taken aback to see WHOLE slabs of this feature, reproduced typo errors and all, on other websites and blogs! Ironic or what? So, in presenting and writing my own take on this story.. I have to tread carefully. 😉😀 All the comic frames, are indeed not mine, I have 'borrowed them' from www.core77.com and http://www.tvandmovienews.com. Here goes . . 

ABOVE : The Millennium Falcon maybe one of the most loved and respected space craft in sci fi cinema history. Can we say after all the work, the multiple design stages and planning that the Millennium Falcon went through, that this was also a lift from the 1971's The Empire of a Thousand Planets comic? I am not sure . .

IF YOU WERE one of the fortunates, who is old enough to remember when the FIRST 'Star Wars' movie was released back in May 25th 1977... just one day before Peter Cushing's 64th birthday, two days before Christopher Lee's and Vincent Price's birthdays... then undoubtedly you'll also remember leaving the cinema with total glee and wonder at the whole amazing package, you had just witnessed! For many, myself included I was stunned by the scale of the special effects, the sounds, the music, the 'other universe' creatures, the whole emotional ride and the fact my favourite actor, Peter Cushing who up until this film, had been taking a bit of a back-seat as far as 'amazing movies' were concerned was now also on that big screen and part of this mind blowing, fresh, new and exciting film! As far as movie experiences were concerned, as a teenager I seriously asked myself how could I ever be THIS excited over a new movie ever again!

ABOVE : The two outfits here do bear a striking similarity to each other, although Industrial Light & Magic costume designer Aggie Rodgers, cited the work of fantasy artist Frank Frazetta as her main inspiration. The Empire Strikes Back, Leia Organa is enslaved by a morbidly obese ruler (Jabba the Hutt), and forced to wear a revealing slave-girl outfit. Believe it or not, almost the exact same thing happens to Laureline in the 1972 Valérian volume World Without Stars; although, in this case, the overweight monarch is Emperor Alzafar, who rules the city of Valsennar and has pioneered a system where women are basically responsible for everything, including fighting in wars.

ABOVE : In the 1971 'Valérian and Laureline' compilation 'Empire of a Thousand Planets', Valérian is frozen is a substance that bears an uncanny resemblance to Carbonite, the substance Han Solo was frozen in nearly a decade later in 1980's 'The Empire Strikes Back'. As pointed out, by The Film Theorists, Valérian's memory loss while frozen matches up a known symptom of Carbonite sickness.

MY NEXT QUESTION WAS, who was responsible for all this? What super gifted writer, put together such a thrilling concept, impressive script and very likeable and fascinating characters? The answer was quickly discovered, by me on the TV news that evening, a quite shy, quietly spoken bearded guy, from the US called George Lucas, who had been nursing the whole concept for years. It was his baby, his creation that he had been touting around the studios for quite some time. Wow! What I would have given to have just a few grains of his imaginative brain cells back then!

ABOVE : The 'Moss Eisley Cantina' is one of the Star Wars universe's key locations, as well as one of its most popular. While its overall layout was most likely based on real-life cantinas, there's no denying the fact that an 'alien bar' with a certain semblance of sameness appears on the pages of Valérian.

NOW? I AM NOT SOOOO SURE 😲😗😃 This weekend, reaching my fifth week of self isolation, during this very weird and frightening time, as well as weighing up the pros and cons of IF I should start decorating the hall and  living room, I have been chewing over, the starling evidence of WHERE did George source those Star Wars characters, concepts and ideas? Taking into account of ol Pablo's point, I am not sure what I think or where Lucas lies in the whole scheme of things. Certainly, illustrator and artist, Jean-Claude Mezieres knows EXACTLY where his thoughts lie. It seems that George, for all three original Star Wars films had 'borrowed' quite liberally from the 'ideas and concepts' pantry of a French comic series called 'Valerian and Laureline' and had done so, without making reference or credit to its creators. This very popular sci fi comic was amazingly illustrated by one Jean- Claude Mezieres and written by Pierre Christin.

AT THE TIME, of the release of 'Star Wars' and the following two other movies, Mezieres was said to be, quite understandably, incensed. Now with both gentlemen in late seventies, they have simmered a little helped by their work finally getting some well deserved credit and influencing the 2017 film, 'Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets', directed by a major fan, Luc Beeson! 

IF YOU WOULD LIKE to share your thoughts on this feature, it is also being posted and shared on the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE TODAY! Your comments and input would be most welcome! 

IS IT BAD TO LOVE THE ROGUE ONE? THE RESURRECTION OF CGI TARKIN TWEAKED

#WATCHWITHCUSHING! 'Is it wrong to love THE Rogue One? Well, here's a confession, I am very fond of this film and have a lot of respect for what Industrial Light and Magic and Guy Henry achieved in the finished film. We've posted a feature about this today at the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE . .. For those not up to speed with what happened four years ago...here we go! In the 2016 anthology film '#RogueOne', archive footage and a digital scan of Cushing's life mask made for the 1984 film Top Secret! were used to create a 3D CGI mask which was augmented and mapped to actor Guy Henry's face. Henry had studied Cushing's mannerisms many years previously for the lead role in British TV show 'Young Sherlock', but insisted on a screen test as he was not comfortable that his vocal imitation was accurate, stating he sounded more like "Peter O'Toole than #PeterCushing". 

THE ILM team searched through hours of footage to find suitable material of Cushing to build from, footage from 'A New Hope' was lit very differently to the lighting used in 'Rogue One' and had to be digitally changed. The more they manipulated the lighting to match the other actors in the scenes the less like Cushing the character model looked, which meant creating a balancing act between "a digital figure" and "one who looked precisely like Cushing". The owners of Cushing's estate were heavily involved with the creation and had input right down to "small, subtle adjustments".

ABOVE: THE PCASUK STORY ON APRIL FOOL'S DAY!

THE RESULT, which has been called "one of the most complex and costly CGI re-creations ever", received a mixed response. Recently, Derpfakes who is quite the dab hand at creating some quite stunning CGI creations and sharing them for critiques on YouTube. Here for your analysis, is his tweaking and nudging, of the ILM job on Tarkin's appearance in 'Rogue One' (2016) ... There are some interesting chances... for some I am sure, there will be little difference. Later, if you like me have always thought the ideas and concepts of 'Star Wars' were very original and new, join us later 😉 - Marcus

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE TIGHT BOOTS AND THE TARKIN TEN TOES!

UNBELIEVABLE TRUTH WE CAN REVEAL TODAY!

 

TALKING TARKIN : WHEN FAN ASKS MARK HAMILL THE BURNING QUESTION!

WHEN A FAN RECENTLY asked Mark Hamill on Twitter which actor from Star Wars he wished Luke could've shared a scene with if there was a chance, Hamill posted a touching reply. Not only did Hamill start with the late and great Peter Cushing, who played Grand Moff Tarkin, but he said basically everyone else from the films, calling out the sequel trilogy actors in particular. In a funny way it's a quintessential Luke Skywalker response 😊

MY FESTIVE FRIGHTENERS : TARA CHANDLER ASKS ' WHAT'S ON YOUR WATCH LIST'

OVER AT the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE PETER CUSHING Hammer Amicus fan #TARACHANDLER has sent us this great post 🙂 Quite an interesting selection for the Christmas Fright and Spooky Festival season??? What would yours look like??? Remember you can always send us messages of your choices, thoughts and viewing experiences, which we will SHARE on the MAIN NEWS THREAD.. so others can see and join in ...anytime 😉 🙂 - Marcus

TARA'S POST: "The holiday season is upon us - here is my list of must watch DVD’s for this festive period - this evening I watched my favourite; Countess #Dracula, with my favourite actress #ingridpitt - there are some amazing Cushing features, specifically Frankenstein Created Woman (in The Best of Hammer Collection box set) - some Amicus Productions in there too (Dr Terror’s...). What’s on your festive list!? I may add a few more to mine! " 🦇 🧛‍♂️

PETER CUSHING truly did love Whitstable, for sure 😃 Be it Summer or Winter . . or even #ChristmasDay for a quick dip (??) it IS somewhere quite special 😉

REQUESTED: MARK HAMILL MEETS Peter Cushing with Davie Prowse on the set at Elstree studios!

ROYAL MAIL RELEASES TARKIN AND DOOKU CELEBRATION POSTAGE STAMPS IN STAR WARS COLLECTION

THE UK #RoyalMail has revealed the final set of stamps in its own #StarWars-themed collection.The 16-stamp set will mark next month's release of #StarWars: #TheRiseOfSkywalker, and features characters and vehicles from the Skywalker saga.

TEN STAMPS feature the characters #CountDooku, Lando Calrissian, Sith Trooper, Jannah, #GrandMoffTarkin, Darth Maul, Zorii Bliss, Wicket Warrick, Poe Dameron, and Queen Amidala.

THE COLLECTION will be release on November 26th 2019!

YOU CAN PRE-ORDER : HERE!

Many thanks to our friend and pcasuk follower, Johnny Thunders Martin for the heads up 😉

OVER AT THE  FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE  we have also opened up the post to YOUR suggestions! 'If you could choose ANY Peter Cushing or Christopher Lee character for a postage stamp, WHICH character would YOU choose?' Feel fee to have fun and make YOUR suggestion too! 
 

REMEMBERING CARRIE FISHER PLUS THE MOMENT TARKIN HIT A TONGUE-TWISTER!

TODAY, WE ARE REMEMBERING  on her birthday the lovely Carrie Fisher a woman, who was never dull, touched all she met, was a mountain of energy and fun and yet sadly, like many of us, carried another life, that sometimes worked against her, making even the sunniest of days, dark and exhausting. Many here of course will know her connection to Peter Cushing, through the movie, STAR WARS 

WITH CUSHING playing the evil TARKIN and Carrie the vulnerable PRINCESS LEIA Tarkin, together they played a key scene, with Peter cranking up his performance, as the cruel and most Machiavellian of characters in the Star Wars universe. Carrie later shared how difficult it had been for her to find the motivation, to hate Peter's Tarkin. She too,like many before her, had been charmed and moved, by his kindness and manner on set, it was quite a task to actually say those lines. Even though she left us a wonderful library of work on screen and on the page, it's a weird feeling, knowing, she isn't around to cheer us up and make us laugh in her interviews. As a teen she was my first crush, she dazzled and shone very brightly . . on screen and in life, a real Princess! 😊 We remember Carrie today . ..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARK HAMILL : VIDEO 'WHEN SKYWALKER MET TARKIN!'

IT'S A VERY Happy Birthday to actor Mark Hamill we post today 😃 Hamill who is probably best known for his role as Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars Films and the role of providing the voice behind the animated BATMAN series of The Joker .

HAMILL co-starred with Peter Cushing in the first Star Wars film 'A New Hope' (1977) However, Hamill was disappointed to learn that he had no scenes with Peter's character Grand Moff Tarkin, so he took the time to visit the set on the days Peter was working, to meet with him.

PACKED WITH CLIPS interviews, rare behind the scenes footage, films and EXCLUSIVE features. The Peter Cushing Appreciation Society YOUTUBE CHANNEL is now OPEN and FOR YOU! Just CLICK HERE!

HOT TOYS DOOKU MODEL AND THE TWO SIDES OF CHRISTOPHER LEE

TWO SIDES CHRISTOPHER LEE. Here are two very interesting photographs, I thought you would like to see and share here today maybe? One is a publicity still taken by the stills photographer during the making of Hammer films, 'Dracula Has Risen From The Grave' at Pinewood Studios, sometime between April 22nd 1968 and June 4th 1968. It's a rarely seen pic, on set of the roof tops, with nice peeps from the studio lighting! You know how I LOVE seeing the lamps and lighting in stills 😃 It's blazing RED for sure! The second is a mysterious and very different photograph of Lee by Tom How with artwork by Connie Jones and copyrighted to Constantina. What do you make of this? I guess everyone will have their own thoughts and take on the subject matter and the artwork . . and I would LOVE to hear it, so please JOIN US over at THE FACEBOOK PCAS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE! 😃 Please feel free to comment and share! 😉Marcus

NEWS: HOT TOYS Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones – 1/6th scale Count Dooku Collectable Figure. With many thanks to Graham Alexander Holden, we can give you the latest on this quite stunning figure from HOT TOYS!

TODAY HOT TOYS presents the final product of Count Dooku in 1/6th scale collectible figure from Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones. The highly detailed figure is crafted based on the appearance of Count Dooku in the movie, features a newly developed head sculpt with striking likeness, a meticulously tailored costume with Dooku’s beautifully designed cape, a LED light-up lightsaber, a number of interchangeable hands, a pair of Force Lighting effect parts that are attachable to hands, a hologram projector and several hologram figures including Death Star, Jango Fett, B1 Battle Droid and Darth Sidious. If YOU have placed an order or even received your figure, or have a delivery date...please let us know. So, what's you opinion of this figure???

WIN SECOND SIGHT AMICUS BLU RAYS : LIMITED EDITION

BRACE YOURSELVES for the release of TWO CLASSIC AMICUS films released on BLU RAY for the first time in the UK and available for ORDER NOW!  and part of our EXCLUSIVE  Peter Cushing Appreciation Society COMPETITION!  LOOK OUT FOR DETAILS at our PCAS Facebook Fan Page, Twitter, Instagram and Twitter!

‘GLEEFULLY POISED on the border between silly and
scary…gripping till the last’ : FILM FOUR

‘DELICIOUSLY far-fetched…fun to watch…demented
camera angles…fast pacing…far more unsettling
than you might imagine.’ BBC ONLINE 

DON'T MISS OUT ON THESE PRIZES! Copies to be won of Second Light Limited Edition Blu Ray of Amicus Films Classic Cushing Chiller ASYLUM! First time on blu ray in the UK! NEW EXTRAS Limited Edition contents too, rigid slip case with art work cover by our very own Graham Humphreys, A 40 page booklet on the film and reversible poster featuring the new and original artwork PLUS Audio Commentary with Director Roy Ward Baker and Camera Operator Neil Binney ‘Two’s a Company’: 1972 On-set BBC report featuring interviews with Producer Milton Subotsky, Director Roy Ward Baker, Actors Charlotte Rampling, James Villiers, Megs Jenkins, Art Director Tony Curtis and Production Manager Teresa Bolland, ‘Screenwriter David J. Schow on Writer Robert Bloch, Fiona Subotsky Remembers Milton Subotsky, ‘Inside The Fear Factory’ Featurette with Directors Roy Ward Baker, Freddie Francis and Producer Max J. Rosenberg PLUS Theatrical Trailer REGION FREE this blu ray is released on JUNE 29th 2019. You can PRE ORDER HERE! LOOK OUT for details on this PCASUK special COMP. MISS it MISS OUT!

THE PLOT THAT LIVES WITHIN FOUR WALLS OF MADNESS!
FROM PSYCHO writer Robert Bloch and directed by Roy Ward Baker (A Night to Remember), iconic 1972 Amicus horror anthology Asylum is set for the Limited Edition Blu-ray treatment from Second Sight AND is also available as our PRIZES in EXCLUSIVE PCAS COMPETITION, coming here VERY soon! 

WHEN DOCTOR MARTIN (Robert Powell – The Italian Job, The Thirty Nine Steps) arrives for a job interview at a secluded asylum for the incurably insane, he must prove himself by listening to the macabre tales of four inmates to determine which is the former head of the asylum who experienced a breakdown. We join him on the investigation with these hair-raising horrors…Frozen Fear stars Barbara Parkins (Valley of the Dolls, Peyton Place) as Bonnie, who recounts her plot to murder her lover’s wife, whose talent for voodoo results in horrific repercussions after her dead body is dismembered. Legend of horror Peter Cushing (The Horror of Dracula, Star Wars) features as a client of The Weird Tailor, who requests a suit to be made of a mysterious scintillating fabric in order to reanimate his dead son. Charlotte Rampling (Never Let Me Go, Broadchurch) and Britt Ekland (The Man with the Golden Gun, Wicker Man) star in Lucy Comes to Stay as the ebullient Barbara, a frequent Asylum patient, and her mischievous friend Lucy whose visit upsets the fragile equilibrium in her mind. It all comes to a head in Mannikins of Horror as Dr Byron (Herbert Lom – The Phantom of the Opera,Spartacus) transfers his soul into an automaton and is determined to kill Dr Rutherford (Patrick Magee – A Clockwork Orange, Chariots of Fire)…but who is really in danger? The stories build towards a “tightly constructed and well-conceived climax” (Oh The Horror) that will keep you guessing until the very end. Experience the chilling and thrilling compendium of terror Asylum in this Limited Edition Blu-ray box set.

THIS HUGELY anticipated release starring a stellar cast will be presented in stunning rigid slipcase packaging featuring new artwork by Graham Humphreys, and a 40-page booklet with new essays by Allan Bryce, Jon Towlson and Kat Ellinger, not to mention a whole host of special features including director commentaries and featurettes, THIS LIMITED EDITION is available from 29th July 2019 and is available for PRE-ORDER HERE NOW!.

'ONE OF THE BEST AMICUS ANTHOLOGY FILMS, this is an enjoyable affair full of affectionate horror homage! : EMPIRE MAGAZINE 

‘ROBERT BLOCH'S superior scripting abilities to fashion a chilling atmosphere of terror that has dated extremely well.’ FILM 4

'A MARVELOUS MOOD PIECE of chilling intensity…vigorous Grand Guignol fun!' TIME OUT

SEMINAL AMICUS horror 'The House that Dripped Blood', from Peter Duffell in his directorial debut and written by renowned screenwriter Robert Bloch (Psycho), is set for one of Second Sight’s renowned must-have Limited Edition Blu-ray releases this Summer. This star-studded anthology is presented in a stunning box set featuring original artwork from Graham Humphreys alongside a whole host of fantastic new special features including new essays from horror aficionados and a 40-page booklet and is available from 29th July 2019.

 

THE PLOT!

Scotland Yard’s Inspector Holloway (John Bennett – Watership Down, The Fifth Element) investigates a mysterious mansion with a ghoulish history and a chilling fate for its occupants in these four tales of terror… Method for Murder stars Denholm Elliott (Indiana Jones, A Room with a View) as a hack horror writer haunted by visions of the murderous, psychopathic central character of his latest novel. Peter Cushing (The Horror of Dracula, Star Wars) and Joss Ackland (The Hunt for Red October, Lethal Weapon 2) feature in Waxworks as a pair of friends fixated with a macabre museum that appears to contain a model of a woman they both knew. Horror icon Christopher Lee (The Wicker Man, Lord of the Rings) appears as a severe widower who appears to mistreat his young daughter in Sweets to the Sweet. But when a well-meaning teacher intervenes, will she realise her mistake in time? Jon Pertwee (Doctor Who, Carry on Cleo) plays a temperamental horror film actor in The Cloak. When he buys a cloak for his vampire costume from a mysterious local vendor, his co-star (Ingrid Pitt – The Vampire Lovers, Countess Dracula) soon notices its strange powers.

TERROR AWAITS you in every room of The House That Dripped Blood… Enter if you dare.

BOTH COMPETITIONS WILL BE launched soon on ALL PCASUK social media platforms. Just ONE question, ONE correct ANSWER and you could be a WINNER! You can also place YOUR PRE ORDER for BOTH films release on JULY 29TH