LEGENDS PORTRAIT : THE SHERLOCK STAMP : KUNG FU FOR U WITH BITE???

POSTED AT THE FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE WITH OVER A 1,000 LIKES, is this fine full colour photograph, that I am sure you have seen many time in black and white by the late and super talented photographer, Terry O'Neil. Four legends in this pic, . . #PeterCushing, #VincentPrice, #ChristopherLee and #JohnCarradine in 'House of Long Shadows' (1983)... each left us with a stellar filmography, full of variety and cinematic history... .... I've been asking, could you select THE film that you think, in your personal opinion was the pinnacle of their movie careers though??? Suggestions please at the post on our Facebook Fan Page !

ON #SHERLOCKSUNDAY at the FAN PAGE we posted when Peter Cushing's Sherlock, got the 'stamp' of approval . . 

ON SUNDAY TOO lots of interest, when we posted this :Today we are wishing HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the lovely ALICE KRIGE. Her first feature film role was in Chariots of Fire (1981) as the Gilbert and Sullivan singer Sybil Gordon.

Some of her best known roles are the dual role of Eva Galli/Alma Mobley in Ghost Story (1981) ,Mary Brady in Stephen Kings Sleepwalkers (1992) and the Borg Queen in the Star Trek franchise, beginning with the film Star Trek: First Contact and then reprising the role in the Star Trek Voyager finale 'Endgame'.

She co-starred with Peter Cushing in A Tale of Two Cities (1980) as Lucie Manette..... 

ON MONDAY we posted this and marked this BIRTHDAY! Join us today in wishing DAVID CHIANG a VERY Happy Birthday! David Chiang Da-wei was born on the 29th June 1947 in Shanghai, (Republic of China) Chiang is a very famous actor and director, producer in Hong Kong. Chiang was very much a martial arts superstar in the 1970s, working under the Shaw Brothers Studio. He has appeared in over 130 films and over 30 television series.

IN 1974, Chiang starred along side Peter Cushing in Hammer films first of two co-partner feature films with Hong Kong based studio, Shaw Brothers. 'The Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires' Peter for the last time resurrected his character of Van Helsing, and together with Chiang, Julie Ege and Robin Stewart, took on an oriental Dracula played by actor John Forbes Robertson and a hoard of Kung Fu zombie vampires!

PCASUK ON FACEBOOK COME SEE COME JOIN! HERE! 

BOX CLEVER BUT WHAT IS IT PLUS GUSTAV DOES HOUSEHOLD CHORES TOO!

OVER AT THE FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE, I've just posted this little image at the page. Some of you of will probably know what this is and to who it belongs to... AND maybe the Peter Cushing connection. Slip over to our Facebook Page . . . .The answer and some pics will be posted here TOMORROW. . ..

A MAN ON A MISSION.... who's also handy around the house, will also draw your household water... light fires and do some 'chopping'!!!! Peter Cushing as Gustav Weil in Hammer films 'Twins of Evil' 1971

AN AMAZING GALLERY of stills from on the set of #Hammerfilms 'TWINS OF EVIL' RIGHT HERE! 

BBC DRACULA 2020 ALIVE OR DOA? PLUS TERENCE FISHER REMEMBERED ON ANNIVERSARY OF HIS PASSING

SPOILERS: Back at the beginning in 2020 when some of us started to invest eye-ball time in a much promoted and anticipated production the BBC was rolling out, little did we know what was just around the corner for many of us, many of our friends and families.... and now, six months later, have I found time to catch up on trivial matter like entertainment. Last night I watched the BBC serial of Dracula, written by Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat, starring Claes Bang as Count Dracula and Dolly Wells as Sister Agatha Van Helsing, plus a ship load of other talented cast members. Back in January I had managed to watch episode one and two, but wrapping the series has been out of my reach since then, so watching from scratch, was he treat last night. It was certainly something different, written and created by two pretty obvious fans of Lee, Cushing and Hammer - Gatiss and Moffat! 

THERE'S LOTS OF NODS and visual paying tributes to Hammer, in-particular, 'Dracula AD 1972' and 'The Satanic Rites of Dracula' .. the last of the Cushing/Lee Hammer series of Dracula films. All lovingly presented, sneaked in or peeping around the corner 😏😊The climax of the series also presented elements of the iconic Cushing and Lee 'fight to the death' from the 1958 movie. All very good and full of twists and turns. I couldn't help thinking back to how maybe many of the Hammer fans felt when Dracula AD and Satanic was released! 'What is THIS???' 😆😉What is it? In my personal opinion, it's all good, exciting and a great turn on a classic and much loved horror-tale, often produced and presented in a modern turn, but of all such modern packages, this was certainly my favourite! Well done, Gatiss and Moffat! Over at the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE, I've asked everyone to share their thoughts and opinions on the page post! It will be interesting to find out, what everyone thinks, having a few months to think about it!

REMEMBERING TERENCE FISHER TODAY who passed on this day in 1980. If you enjoy any of the better Hammer films of the 1950's and 60's . . this is the point, you doff your cap 😉 There can be few directors who worked for Hammer films, who did so much to develop that Hammer-in-house style. Terence Fisher, WAS Hammer. Along with Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee and the players who helped under pin the rich vision of fairy-tale come Gothic nightmare style. Even when the 'monsters' were 'shaky' the script, with more holes than a Swiss cheese... the look, pace and world beautifully styled by Fisher, just sat so well. The Curse of Frankenstein in 1957 was the first, it also lit the rocket that would spin Peter Cushing into a new and long lasting career within the fantasy genre and Christopher Lee, on scraping off the make up and anonymity as 'the monster', would soon don a cloak and a feral shocking performance as Dracula, that set him on path, for more Fisher, Cushing Hammer classics to come. The Mummy, The Gorgon, and The Hound of the Baskervilles, still stand, as maybe the best of Terence Fisher and Hammer. 

TERENCE FISHER was one of the most prominent horror directors of the second half of the 20th century. He was the first to bring gothic horror alive in full colour, and the sexual overtones and explicit horror in his films, while mild by modern standards, were unprecedented in his day. Fisher although aware of the terrifying elements of his Hammer films, would only smile when questioned about their shock factor, and answer...'I make wicked fairy tales...!' Fisher also along with Lee and Cushing, had a wicked sense of humor, hints of which can often been seen on the screen. Given their subject matter and lurid approach, Fisher's films, though commercially successful, were largely dismissed by critics during his career. It is only in recent years that Fisher has become recognised as an auteur in his own right . . .

THE RED NOSE YOU DIDN'T SEE PLUS SIXTY YEARS OF BRIDES CELEBRATION COMING SOON!

#CHRISTOPHERLEE SATURDAY! Here is something you have probably never seen before! Not something you see everyday.. and I am pretty sure, after some deep research over the past two days.. this may not have been seen by anyone! 

CHRISTOPHER LEE wearing a RED NOSE! The reason? '#ComicRelief - #RedNoseDay 1989' I know that this started in the UK and that the US have also been doing this for some time now too 😊. Las t year, March 15 was Red Nose Day in the United Kingdom and May 23 was Red Nose Day in the United States. For those who are not aware... it's a charity day called Comic Relief / Red Nose Day. Comic Relief started Red Nose Day in 1985 in the U.K., where it's an every-other-year event and has raised $1.2 billion so far. Millions of pounds are raised for charities by the public and celebrities of film, music, and TV who put a hold on their plans for a day or two and help to raise money. The RED NOSE has been a motif I think since it began. In 1989, Christopher Lee also joined in. Weeks before the event, a whole new gang join in and a new band of promotional posters, photographs and tv campaign promos appear everywhere to get everyone ready to part with their lolly and join in! This was Christopher Lee's contribution in 1989.. 

THIS YEAR 2020 marks the 60th anniversary since the release of Hammer films classic 'The Brides of Dracula' with Peter Cushing making his return to the big screen as Van Helsing Vampire Slayer in July 1960. Despite the title, there was no Count Dracula to be seen . . but there was David Peel's Baron Meinster! He may not have been Christopher Lee but I think he too managed to pack quite the punch, in the scary stakes.. no pun intended... as this great rare colour transparency shows! 60 years, wow! I'll start prepping and baking the cake ready for our party?? Over at the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE, I've asked you if 'Brides' one of your fav Hammer / Cushing classics? Feel free to join the chat! and comments! - Take care everyone : Marcus

PCASUK CUSHING CHRISTMAS COMPETITION WINNER NUMBER FOUR!!

THE DRAWING OF OUR FOUR LUCKY PCAS Christmas Cushing Competition Winners, is happening throughout today, at the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE TODAY! SO HERE COMES NUMBER FOUR!

CONGRATULATIONS FRANTIC FRANKY.. and a Happy New Year!  😃😊😀

THE ANSWER we were looking for was . .  D) Berkley Square! Thank you to everyone who took part in the competition 😊

FOUR PCASUK CHRISTMAS COMPETITIONS are now closed, and proved to be our VERY popular indeed! We shall be sure to do it all again in Christmas 2020! ONE competition, for our New Year remains open until Jan 12th 2020! CERTAINLY worth a try 😉  JUST CLICK HERE!

PCASUK CHRISTMAS COMPETITION NUMBER FOUR NOW LIVE WITH BUMPER PRIZE!

PCASUK CHRISTMAS COMPETITION 4#! IS NOW LIVE at the FACEBOOK PCASUK FACEBOOK PAGE HERE! You can ONLY enter the COMPETITION THERE! A reminder . .  these competitions are open to everyone... whoever, wherever you are! 

THIS PRIZE comprises of SEVEN DVD's... 1) Sherlock Holmes! A box set of FOUR episodes on dvd of #PeterCushing's BBC series from 1968. Included is 'The Hound of the Baskervilles', though by many to be the best tv adaption of the #Doyle story. Each episode comes in it's own case with sleeve. These are believed to be the only remaining episodes from the Cushing 16 episode series, as it was standard practice at the time for the #BBC to wipe tapes and reuse them. Win this competition, and they are yours!

2) 'The Amicus Vault of Horrors'! (region 0) Directed and produced by Donald Fearney, this 146 minute documentary has to be the most comprehensive doc on the history of Amicus films. Narrated by Roy Hudd and featuring interviews with Milton Subotsky, John Carson, #DavidWarner #LindaHayden and many others, you'll find masses of rare footage, rare stills and publicity material, with a script by John Hamilton and editing by Jim Groom, this fear feast leaves no Amicus stone, unturned! 

3) 'The Legend of Hammer Vampires' (region 0) Narrated by Edward (Kiss of the Vampire' & 'Phantom of the Opera' De Souza, directed and produced by Donald Fearney, this 96 minutes of exclusive interviews with many of the key personalities, along with unseen footage and rare stills, that cover the entire history of Hammer's Vampire films and the Dracula franchise. All sales stocks of this documentary are now gone . .. WIN your copy HERE!

WE HAVE TWO batches of this PRIZE for you to WIN. All you have to do is answer the COMPETITION FOUR QUESTION below, send your ANSWER to us, as usual VIA the #PCAS #Facebook MESSAGE BUTTON ONLY! If your answer is correct, it will be dropped into the hat and fingers crossed, pulled out as a WINNER on January 2nd 2020! Good Luck!

COMPETITION QUESTION: Peter Cushing first played the character of Van Helsing, in Hammer films first 'DRACULA' film in 1958... also known as 'The Horror of Dracula'. This was also Christopher Lee's first performance for Hammer as Dracula... for many the climax of the film, is the dramatic slaying of the Count, with Cushing's Van Helsing crossing TWO CANDLE STICKS, forcing Dracula into the light of the rising sun! Cushing is on record to have actually suggested the 'candle stick' idea on the set, during the filming . ..
but he has also given credit to ANOTHER feature film, where he believes he FIRST saw the 'crossed candle sticks' idea used.

YOUR TASK: NAME THAT FILM 😃😉

A) Laurel and Hardy meet Dracula? B) The A to Z of Vampire Killing? C) Home Hobbies: Making Candles? D) Berkley Square? E) Candle Square? F) Candle Shoe?

CHOOSE your answer and send it to us as your entry ONLY using the PCAS Facebook Message Button ONLY!

Have Fun and Good Luck 😉
Marcus

HAMMER FILMS : THE COMPANY WHO CHEATED DEATH : THE LODGE TRAILER

'While Hammer is looking at remakes too, some ownership is complex, though the characters are in the public domain: Frankenstein’s monster, mummies, #Dracula, #mobsters, psychopaths, and even cave girls . .'

HERE THEY COME AGAIN! For many, any film released now with the HAMMER name, can not possibly be 'A Hammer Film' . . as the set up, as they see it, has all but changed, except 'THE' name. But, a careful look at the history and style of #Hammerfilms over the decades changed a great deal from 1938 until their slow death in the late 70's This feature written by Mark Beech, can be seen HERE was published in FORBES just a few days ago. 

 'THE MAN WHO COULD CHEAT DEATH' A PAST HAMMER FILM CLASSIC. REVIEW AND GALLERY

'THE BRIDES OF DRACULA' 

STILLS GALLERY FEATURE AND MORE! JUST PRESS LINK!

 'THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN' AND  'THE REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN'

BOTH BOX OFFICE WINNERS! REVIEW AND RARE STILLS GALLERY. 

JUST PRESS LINK.

ANOTHER HAMMER FILMS CLASSIC FRANKENSTEIN : 'FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED' JUST CLICK THE LINK!

WHATEVER YOU MAKE of it, they mean business . . and I mean the business of '#lolly, #cash and #dosh' BUT then so did Hammer films CEO Sir James Carreras .. back in their hey day!... 😊Have your say, please over at the Facebook PCAS UK Fan Page! I am all ears 😉

THE 1959 HAMMER FILM 'THE MUMMY'! RARE STILLS AND FEATURE. JUST CLICK LINK

HERE ARE SOME EXTRACTS form the Forbes feature . . 

'While Hammer is looking at remakes too, some ownership is complex, though the characters are in the public domain: The #Frankenstein monster, mummies, #Dracula, mobsters, psychopaths, and even cave girls. Hammer is also extending the brand with a publishing imprint with Random House, a streaming platform and social-media presence.'

'Horror films made worldwide currently gross as much as $1 billion annually. Last year such movies had a 7.5% market share and took some $900 million, according to The Numbers.com. The chief executive of Hammer, Simon Oakes, is optimistic that the company is in a unique position to capture a significant market share.'

'Oakes had worked for John Malone’s Liberty Global for many years and was looking at different film channel ideas. #Horror was an obvious area, and Oakes loved Hammer: “I realised it was one of the very rare brands in the media industry which is in the vernacular: You refer to a thing as ‘like a Hammer film.’ It has global potential like no other.” In 2007 he helped resuscitate the company with private-equity money, taking control of the library, archive, brand and name.

'The comeback breakthrough was Hammer’s first feature-length ghost story, #TheWomanInBlack, in 2012:“It was synchronicity, because it’s a famous novel and play. Jane Goldman came on board to write the screenplay. I took a big risk by casting #DanielRadcliffe, who was finishing the Potter series. It proved lucky. Our key demographic is 16 to 30 years old. It became the most successful British horror film of all time.”

'Hammer's latest is #TheLodge which had its world premiere at the #SundanceFilmFestival in January. It is now scheduled to be released in February 2020 by Neon.'

FIRST LOOK TRAILER FOR BBC 'DRACULA' PLUS HALLOWEEN 019 AT PCASUK!

FIRST TRAILER released today from the BBC supporting their eagerly anticipated new version of the classic Bram Stoker horror 'Dracula'. This series has been developed by #MarkGatiss and #StevenMoffat, the team behind the BBC series #Sherlock. Much of the filming for this three part series took place at Orava Castle in Slovakia and ... the iconic Bray Studios in England, home to #Hammerfilms and the location of many of #PeterCushing's and #ChristopherLee's classic Dracula and #Frankenstein films in the 50's and 60's.

PRODUCER #MarkGattiss has recently said, : “It’s seriously delightful that our new Dracula is being shot at #BrayStudios – the former home of Hammer Films! This wonderfully atmospheric and legendary studio gave birth to so many famous monsters and stars – most memorably Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. As we watch #Transylvania once again rise on the sound stages of Bray, it’s amazing to be able to say that Count Dracula has finally come home.” The cast includes Claes Bang as #Dracula . . John Heffernan, Dolly Wells, Mark Gatiss...and #DoctorWho, #Space1999 and Bond girl, #CatherineSchell. The series will be shown on the BBC first in the UK and on Netflix outside of the UK. It’s not yet been revealed when it will be screened on #BBC1 – however the festive period looks a fair bet. It's an interesting trailer.. what do you think?

THIS YEAR 019, we are going to mark our Halloween on Thursday Oct 31st, with a celebration of Peter Cushing's portrayal of THE fearless vampire hunter VAN HELSING! Some great pics, some very rare and never seen before archive photographs from the files of Hammer films, set designer Bernard Robinson, from Hammer's Dracula, Brides of Dracula, chat, facts and banners . . and if the support is there... TWO PCAS Competitions! 24 hours of a grand nod to one of Peter Cushing's most popular characters, who appeared in FIVE Hammer classic Horror movies! It will be fun. Come on IN or Miss Out! 😉 - Marcus

HMV RELEASES EXCLUSIVE WARNER BROTHERS DRACULA HAMMER FILMS REMASTERED BLU RAYS AT BARGAIN AT PRICES!

HMV ARE RELEASING DRACULA AD '72 and THE SATANIC RITES OF DRACULA as part of their Premium Collection on Blu-Ray 🙂 The deal includes a slip jacket for each Blu ray, 4 color postcards and a poster! The blu ray will be released from HMV on 14th October 2019. £14.99 each Blu ray OR 2 for £25.00. A bargain 🙂 Thanks to Rob McKenna for the heads up! ORDER HERE AND HERE

READ PCASUK REVIEW OF WARNER BROTHERS REMASTERED BLU RAY OF DRACULA AD 1972 STARRING #PETER CUSHING AND #CHRISTOPHERLEE WITH GALLERY AND GIFS : HERE!

READ THE PCASUK REVIEW OF WARNER BROTHERS BLU RAY OF THE SATANIC RITES OF DRACULA STARRING #PETERCUSHING AND #CHRISTOPHERLEE WITH SCREEN CAPS, GIFS AND GALLERY : HERE!