#MONSTERMONDAY: KARL VON BADEN: TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED

#MONSTERMONDAY: TEUTON KARL VON BADEN . . from Tales of the Unexpected in 1983. ....it may not ring a bell for many here, as it was a UK Television show, but it was syndicated to the US and most of Europe. Cushing's role, was one of his last performances before the camera. There would only be three more roles for Cushing after this, in 'Helen Keller: The Miracle Continues', 'Masks of Death' as Sherlock Holmes and 'Biggles', his last film performance for cinema. 

TEUTON KARL VON BADEN is an interesting role, and one I won't spoil here, for the many who may not have seen it. ''Tales of the Unexpected' at this point in 1983 was a shadow of the show that began in the 1970's, with author Roald Dahl's stories and famous introduction...and THAT music!

KARL VON BADEN is a role that Cushing could have played in his sleep just five years previous, that is not to say it's a weak performance, but the script gives him little to do, and it's Cushing who looks weak and frail at this point. It's a story that relies on flashbacks, and much of his screen time is played sitting down. He looks tired, but that helps to bring a poignancy to his role. Cushing shares most of his scenes with another television veteran, John Bailey. Anthony Higgins who plays Cassan in the story, would go on to play Sherlock Holmes in an updated Sherlock series and would also play Moriarty in the film 'Young Sherlock'. Vorpal Blade is a tale set in a sedate rose garden and a castle in Heidelberg... the episode was directed by John Jacobs who produced the other Anglia television series 'Orson Welles Great Mysteries'...in which Cushing also appeared, a wonderful episode entitled, 'La Grande Breteche' in 1973.

 

 

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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.

COMING SOON: LA GRANDE BRETECHE : A GREAT MYSTERY! COMING SOON!

#GETTHECUSHIONITSCUSHING! Peter Cushing played some fine villains, cool, cruel, calculating and often ruthless... but there is one that is often forgotten. Back in 1973 there was a television series that became quite compulsive viewing in the UK on a Saturday night. As it was produced by the now defunct Anglia television company, it also lead the way in 1979, for their highly successful, Roald Dahl's 'Tales of the Unexpected'. Even though it's material was often inferior to 'Great Mysteries', it's 'Unexpected' that is often remembered. 'Orson Welles Great Mysteries' was originally transmitted between 1973 and 1974, with a run of 26 episodes. It had some very good writers and directors, namely Alan Gibson (Dracula AD, Silent Scream, Satanic Rites) Peter Sasdy (Nothing But The Night).

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! We'll be sharing this episode during next Sunday's #GETTHECUSHINGITSCUSHING! Don't miss it!

 IT'S SUNDAY! SO IT'S  #GETTHECUSHIONITSCUSHING DAY!

MEANWHILE, above for those who fondly remember the show, here is John Barry's atmospheric theme, that opened every show....

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