CALLUM MCKELVIE : THE THREE ROLES THAT MADE THE CAREER : RARE GALLERIES

THE THREE ROLES THAT CREATED the career of Peter Cushing! A NEW series of features from CALLUM MCKELVIE starting very soon! The RARE photograph of Peter in this promo banner marks probably one of Cushing's best known roles. Over at the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE we asked, which THREE roles would you personally list as being Cushing's TOP THREE? Lots of interesting answers and many suggesting the THREE we have chosen  to focus on, in this new  weekly feature! Feel free  to visit the PCASUK page and join in!

DO YOU REMEMBER RHAID DINISTRIO FRANKENSTEIN? RARE PCASUK SCRAPBOOK CUTTING

HERE IS A RARE CUTTING, from our PCASUK scrapbooks, that I have posted before, but some time ago. Not only is it rare, but the occasion that story in the cutting is was quite an event and quite strange at the time, for quite a few people! I wonder how many of you remember it and if anyone remembers when and what the newspaper cutting is all about? Feel free to join in the discussion and debate at our right now!

PCASUK has several internet social platforms, including a FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE. It has over 33 THOUSAND likes and followers! Please come join us us and have an opportunity to discuss any of the posts you have seen here at the website! 

THE WHOLE TOOTH AND NOTHING BUT! ALSO SOMEONE IS SNOOZING! WHO IS THAT???

FOR MUCH OF HIS PROFESSIONAL CAREER from 1948 onwards, wore a front denture. Loosing the tooth came in handy during the making of the BBC production of George Orwell's '1984' in 1954. Never one to miss an opportunity to use props, some business, or indeed anything that would add authenticity to his performance, Cushing REMOVED his 'one tooth plate'  for the horrifying 'Room 101' scenes in the climax of the television drama. It really enhances his emaciated and broken appearance. Vanity never got in the way, of Cushing's quest in perfecting a role. This week's TOUGHY QUESTION is 'HOW DID PETER CUSHING LOOSE THAT TOOTH?' 

THIS QUESTION AND POST has also been posted at our PCASUK FACEBOOK FAN PAGE where followers comment and debate this question and all of our posts here, every day! Please feel free to join the page. You'll be most welcome. JUST CLICK HERE and the CLICK LIKE THERE! 

AN EXTRA QUESTION  for you this week! #TOOCOOLTUESDAY! Someone is having a SNOOZE! Can you name the actor, the name of the film and his co-star? Like our TOUGHY question this post is ALSO LIVE at our FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE Please free to join us there to discuss and maybe answer this question and post your ANSWER in our thread!

BELOW THE ANSWER TO LAST WEEK'S TUESDAY TOUGHY!

BOTH PETER CUSHING AND CHRISTOPHER LEE starred in episodes of the television SCI FI DRAMA series SPACE 1999. LEE'S played Captain Zantor in an episode was entitled 'EARTHBOUND' and was broadcast on December 4th 1975.

YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE, comment and discuss this post and all other features as they appear every day at our JUST CLICK HERE   and CLICK LIKE THERE! You will be MOST welcome!  

SUSANNAH YORK AND PETER CUSHING : ORSON WELLES GREAT MYSTERIES SEPTEMBER 1973

A QUICK PROMO SNAP AND A RARE ONE: Here is Peter Cushing and Susannah York during the shooting of am episode of a very popular television series in the 1970's, ORSON WELLES GREAT MYSTERIES. The episode was entitled, ' LA GRANDE BRETECHE' and also starred Michael Elphick. The series was an anthology of different tales. Each episode was introduced by Orson Welles, in big hat and opera cloak! He topped and tailed each story, though never appeared in them. The episode, 'La Grande Breteche' was broadcast, just once in the UK on Saturday 22nd September 1973. It starred Peter Cushing as the Count Gerard De Merret and Susannah York as his wife, Countess Josephine. What Cushing gives us, is a quite terrifying performance. As with all the stories in this series, they were chosen for their punch, sting or twist at the end. Needless to say, Cushing doesn't disappoint!

IF YOU ENJOY our posts here at the PCASUK website and would also like to meet others and chat about the work of Peter Cushing and the posts you have seen, you can catch them all, at our FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE. COME AND JOIN over 33 thousand other lovers of Cushing's work, in the oldest Peter Cushing Fan Club! You will be most welcome! JUST CLICK HERE  and CLICK LIKE THERE! 

WHAT KATY DID AFTER HER EVIL STINT AND VERY GRIM FIGURE IN FRANKENSTEIN AND ITS NOT FROM THE LAB!

#GETTHECUSHIONSUNDAY! Here's pretty neat, large hi res photograph, taken by the publicity stills camera man. This would have been cropped out by the magazine or newspaper editor. But if you look carefully, as well as the lovely Katy Wild in this shot on the back lot set of Cushing's 'The Evil of Frankenstein' at Bray studios, the Baron appears to live quite close to a 1960's railway line... and the large 1964 Bedford truck top right, maybe keeping the engine running, to give the Baron, his goods and chattels a quick get away maybe?

A QUESTION on the PCASUK FACEBOOK FAN PAGE TODAY promoted the banner above, after posting the Katy Wild behind the scenes photograph, from 'THE EVIL OF FRANKENSTEIN'

EDWARD MORLEY asks: 
'Wasn't she an actress from 'The Horror of Frankenstein' and later moved to Australia? I am sure she was in a mini series called 'Spy Force'. A really lovely actress'.

WE ANSWERED:
'You are right, Edward. Katy appeared in Spy Force as Lieutenant French! The series, as you say was Australian and ran for two series. Actress Kate O'Mara appeared in 'The Horror of Frankenstein' (1970) with Ralph Bates and Veronica Carlson, sadly no Katy though. I've posted some items from the series and two pics of her, in a banner for you above....

EDWARD REPLIED: 
'Oh Wow! Thank you so very much for the update and info. Just so many wonderful actresses and hopefully still with us. 

AND FINALLY, a post that prompted much laughter at the PCASUK FACEBOOK FAN PAGE yesterday . . .The next time you are watching Peter Cushing's second installment in the Hammer films Frankenstein series, 'The Revenge of Frankenstein' . .. take a look at the REAL monster sitting in the corner of the room, during the meeting of the medical committee. Those who say the film didn't really have a monster, need to feast their eyes on THAT lump of plaster, that I think is trying to allude to the Greek Venus de Milo by one, Alexandros of Antioch . . . I have a feeling this one was created in ten minutes at the Hammer carpentry and plaster shop by the great 'Bert of Cheswick', after a liquid lunch at the local hostelry just outside Bray studios! I almost feel like shouting 'Behind YOU!' to Cushing! BLIMEY! . . .N.B Many of you also mentioned that this 'statue' also appears almost five years later, in Hammer films, THE GORGON (1964), in the foyer entrance of Castle Borksky!

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  .

THE ZOO GANG : LESSER SEEN CUSHING SEASON : REMEMBERING SIMON WARD

#THROWBACKTHURSDAY! Here's the SECOND in our weekly series of 'lesser seen Peter Cushing Roles'. Last week, 'Some May Live' this week, it's an episode which some of you in the UK may remember, from the tv series The ZOO GANG, called The Counterfeit Trap (1974) Peter Cushing plays Judge Gautier . .. . another accent! Let us know what you think about this little gem! BTW Our season is playing out at our PCAS YOUTUBE channel and PCAS FACEBOOK FAN PAGEtoo . . . .

REMEMBERING: Born today, Simon Ward. If you take a look at the raft of obituaries for Simon Ward who sadly passed away in 2012, it's a common fault that they state that his career was kick started when he was 'plucked from obscurity' and appeared in Richard Richard Attenborough’s 'Young Winston' in 1972. Maybe that is how the press and publicity agents remember it....but for Ward, it was not so.

WARD ACKNOWLEDGED Hammer films 'Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed' made in 1969 as the film 'that started it all' and the generous help and assistance from his co star Peter Cushing, that made anything afterwards possible... In a interview with PCAS in 1979, Ward acknowledges his debt to Cushing, who he said, '..had time and patience with me. I knew nothing of the technique needed for working with a camera or about the studio floor. Peter was extremely kind, taking time to explain the simple but very important rules of pace and nuance, so the editor can get in there. This and try to not fall over the cables. He did so much for me. Quite extraordinary. I mean, no one has the time to do that, everyone is busy. But he did it for me, many times through out the film. And it's something I've always remembered, and not come across since... a very kind, gentle, gracious man. He really did save my skin'.

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 .

#THROWBACKTHURSDAY: COMBAT AVENGERS ANNIVERSARY AND GIFS!

#THROWBACKTHURSDAY: DURING THE 1960-70's Peter Cushing made quite a few short, blink and you'll miss em appearances in several films, Scream and Scream Again, Dr Phibes Rises Again are but two. One here's another you may want to add to your list... Trial by Combat ' / 'A Dirty Knight's Work' / 'A Choice of Arms' made in 1976 is odd, even by tome of the choices made by Cushing's agency at this time.. 'Hitler's Son', 'A Touch of the Sun'..it would take more than the space we have here to explain the dotty 'plot', it stars John Mills and Donald Pleasence, who must have regretted signing on that dotted line, when it was too late. Peter just had two days, did his bit and left for 'The Devils Men' and . . . 'Battle Flag'....! Thankfully, a little role in 'something' called Star Wars turned up and save the year! Would be great to hear from anyone who has sat through this....!

#THROWBACKTHURSDAY: BROADCAST ON FEBRUARY 21st 1968 Return of the Cybernauts, brought back a Avengers favorite, along with Peter Cushing for his first appearance.

Cushing and Robert Day director of 'SHE' and 'Return of the Cybernauts' sharing a giggle . . .

URSULA ANDRESS AS SHE ENTERS THE FLAME FOR THE SECOND TIME IN HAMMER FILMS 'SHE' (1965)

THE SUBJECT of our first post today the film, 'Trial by Combat' (1976) give nods to this series, and in doing so, proved just how talented the production team of the series really were. Robert Day who directed this episode, also directed #PeterCushing in the Hammer films, 'SHE' too.....

DON'T FORGET #CHRISTOPHERLEESATURDAY THIS WEEKEND

If you LIKE what you find posted here . . Please visit us at our daily themed posts at our PCAS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE and help 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.

REMEMBERING SHELIA KEITH

TODAY WE REMEMBER British character actress SHELIA KEITH, whose career spanned nearly 40 Years. She made a number of appearances in British TV programmes during the 60's and 70's. However, she is perhaps best known for her frequent collaborations with horror director, Pete Walker who she worked with in FIVE FILMS!

IN HER OBITUARY, The Times described her as an "Actress of film, stage and television who became a ‘British horror icon’"...... It was with her portrayal of sinister, sadistic and deranged women in the horror movies of the director Pete Walker, that she acquired her most devoted following"

KEITH CO STARRED with Peter Cushing in 'The House Of The Long Shadows ' (1983) as Victoria Grisbane, daughter to John Carradine's, Lord Elijah Grisbane sister to Vincent Price and Peter Cushing. She was Pete Walker's first choice when veteran, Elsa Lanchester was thought too frail to travel to the UK and work in the film.

Please visit us at our daily themed posts at our PCAS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE 

and help 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.

#TOOCOOLTUESDAY: A SCREAM CAPTURED AN AUDIENCE FOR HAMMER TV SERIES

#TOOCOOLTUESDAY... Many think that 'Shatter' was Peter Cushing's last appearance with Hammer films... Not at all, back in 1980, Hammer under the guidance of CEO Roy Skeggs produced a great television series entitled, Hammer House of Horror, hour long dramas, all in a contemporary setting.

PETER CUSHING APPEARED in the seventh episode (broadcast on October 25, 1980 ) entitled 'Silent Scream' a twisted little tale that also starred a young Brian Cox and Elaine Donnelly. 

DURING THE WEEK leading up to the broadcast, very little was known about the story of the episode. Hammer were cute in their publicity, all that was released for the press to use in the editorial, was a chilling photograph of Peter Cushing screaming in terror...but at what, we would have to tune in, to find out! Peter gave gave several interviews to newspapers and Sunday supplements, which again ran the photograph.

OVER AT THE PCAS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE we'd interested to hear any thoughts you may have on the episode, how it compared with the other episodes in the series etc... What I do remember of the episode was it was very COOL and even better on DVD in a great little box set!

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!