TOYS ARE NOT CHILDS PLAY : PC ON THE BUTTON IN 1956 : TV MIRROR NOT KIDS STUFF!

PETER CUSHING  collected toy soldiers from childhood, by the 1950's he had a quite an extensive collection. It was Cushing who introduced actor Alan Ladd to the hobby of collecting soldiers while they were both filming THE BLACK KNIGHT, and just about every co-star over the years, who was invited to the Cushing Home for for dinner was always given an impromptu introduction and visit to 'The Troops'. It has to be said that Peter Cushing's thoughts about his past times and hobbies were somewhat revolutionary for the time, when collecting miniatures and building to scale models of theaters were not that common, and a written feature at the time, also adds some strong indications and evidence to Peter's almost Peter Pan - like personality. The piece was called, 'TOYS? They're not Child's Play!'- Says Peter Cushing!' which he wrote for the TV Miror's 'On My Soap Box' column . Cushing changed the column's title to ' On My Hobby Horse'..... 

HOBBIES? OH YOU SIGH, 'Peter Cushing is going to tell us about his toy soldiers again! Just kid's stuff! It's nothing to do with a bold Soap-box subject, surely?" Now I have a theory about hobbies and and toys, and Iam quite prepared for you to scoff at me. The theory is quite simple. It is that toys are given to children when they are too young to apprecaite them and because most men ' put away childish things' as they reach adulthood, they miss a great deal of happiness at a time in their lives when, because of greater maturity , they are actually in amuch better position to enjoy their toys and hobbies.

THE TRAGEDY IS THAT for too many men are hobby-less  . ..  Without escapism which comes only from dabbling with adult toys, their minds are prey to all the frusttration and fears of the working day. From my hobby-horse, I do not say that men would be better if they kept to their toys in theri adult years, but certainly they could be happier. . .  So many, it seems to me, lose happiness as they grow up. Their entire absorption in their careers and adult responsibilities bring lines of worry and premature old age. It is not silly or childish to have an interest in hobbies . . . some men develop a passionate interest in costly 35mm cameras and in veteran cars, but what are these things except toys of a rather larger and dearer sort? I am not particularly mechanically -minded, so although I do have a certain interest in mechanical models, i get much great contentment from miniture figures and costumes. I love collecting old manuscripts and books on period costume too, but of course, that's a branch of art, and not a subject for any hobby-horse.

H.G. WELLS wrote a most interesting book entitled, LITTLE WARS, which was a serious satire designed to make real war impossible. There is a British Model Soldier Society, including youngsters of nine up to colonels of ninety, and who manoeuvre the soldiers according to the rules which H.G outlined in his book, rules which have changed little since the days of Napoleon. Played according to these rules, the wars of these tin soldiers become  a vast game of chess. When I come home at night and find the news or the newspaper headlines more than usually anxious and alarming, I sometimes get out my soldiers and start solving international problems on my lounge carpet. Fearful problems which  . ..  cause international strife at UNO, are settled in a quiet half-hour with my private armies of military men, who are as clever, bold, strategic and vicious as I can make them, although they are only two and half inches high. One day, I may be tempted to send to Whitehall, to Washington and the Kremlin, so statesmen can find the key . . .

BUT NO. I have no wish to challenge anyone's opinion. I have my own inner contentment with this world-in-miniature. And you could too. It's not a thing to shout or campaign about, but to discover privately, and to enjoy in one's own heart . . . .

OUR WEEKLY 'MOMENTS OF TERROR' theme day tales a rest for a while next week. Monday's for seven weeks will see a new feature, The Making of Legend Of The Werewolf, takes a look at one of Cushing's and Tyburn films most interesting films together. Intyerviews, on set pics and much more... STARTS next Monday 11th June 2018! Please join us!

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#GIMMETHEGIFWEDNESDAY : TARKIN PUSS PUSS AND A HOWLING WOLF

#GIMMETHEGIFWEDNESDAY: ...and so we happily wheel out our weekly roster of grim and creepy 'ANIMATED GIFS', all cheerfully requested by your good-selves from the films and work of our very own, #PETERCUSHING. First off comes a request from RUTH HELLMAN, for 'Any gif featuring Peter Cushing, but Legend of the Werewolf, would be good;)' . . You've got it, Ruth. Above Peter as Paul Catalque, Paris police surgeon, taking his lunch, among the cadavers, entrails and bits (!!). Chasing werewolves is hungry and thirsty work! The howling wolf or werewolf of this film is one of best make up's, prior 'An American Werewolf In London, which reset the bar. Jack Pierce, make up artist behind Lon Chaney Jr's wolfman was great for its time, But Roy Ashton's Lycanthrop, in the shape of Oliver Reed, was a howling success with the public during the 1960's. In 1975 David Rintoul as Etoile, wore a make up by Graham Freeborn, son of the genius make up artist Stuart Freeborn, who created Yoda and many other of the make up in the #STARWARS series. Stuart was also behind Cushing's 'MEGA-EYE' in the 1984 film, #TOPSECRET.

  

MARTIN BOUTON sent us a request for Peter Cushing's terrified Wilbur Gray from Milton Subotsky's THE UNCANNY  from 1977. Out of all of the portmaneau films that Peter Cushing appeared in for Amicus and Subotsky, this is the one that gets the least love. I am not sure why. All the others, Vault of Horror, Tales from the Crypt, Dr Terrors House of Horrors, all have that quintessential 'made in England' look. A little like with the television series 'The New Avengers', which at first was  rebooted and 'kitted for the 70's' and made in the UK. The original series starring Patrick Macnee and several capable and classy female assistants, was 'BRIT' from it's bowler hat, umbrellas and tea pots. The same path was kept for the come back series. The moment The New Avengers production was moved to Canada... all the class was lost. Maybe what we see with 'The Uncanny' is the same thing? Made away from blighty, it's just not the same.

#gimmethegifwednesday: last gif of the day... requested by LEXI CONROY : 'Can I request the shot from Dracula AD 1972, where Peter Cushing as Van Hesling comforts his grand-daughter Jesscia after a nightmare! Makes you wish everyone had a grand-father like that! Thank you. '....

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#GIMMETHEGIF : HORRORS IN THE PET SHOP AND MURDERS IN A PARIS ZOO

THIS WEEK'S #GIMMETHEGIF Wednesday requests, brings a nice selection of moments from Peter Cushing's film and television performances. At the TOP, for D Brandshaw that shocking moment from the Hammer House of Horrors tv series, THE SILENT SCREAM (1980). Peter Cushing makes his last appearance in a Hammer film production.

NEXT IN THE ROW is that lovely money shot, from 'BIGGLES: ADVENTURES IN SPACE AND TIME' ....  where we find out,  just who is that suspicious shadowy figure! Tina Goodwin, this  is your GIF!

AND FINALLY a performance that does get much in the way of column inches, because it's been so long since anyone has actually seen the film! 'THE LEGEND OF THE WEREWOLF' has gained more interest through being a film that STILL has no legitimate release on dvd or blu ray, than for being a very god film! Peter Cushing's performance has some very nice black comedy moments, and you get the impression, this is a film, that Cushing actually enjoyed making! C. Hughes, you made a great choice for your GIF request.. that look says it all really!

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A KNIGHTHOOD FOR JOHN HURT

Many CONGRATULATIONS to actor JOHN HURT on the news of his being award a Knighthood today in the Queen's New Year Honours List. The 74-year-old was appointed for his services to drama after a career lasting more than five decades. Among some of finest film work like The Elephant Man, Alien, The Naked Civil Servant, Hellboy, V for Vendetta and Doctor Who...there is 'The Ghoul' with Peter Cushing in 1975 as the disturbing and creepy, Tom Rawlings. Congratulations Sir John Hurt!