#THROWBACKTHURSDAY! PHANTOM BRINGS THE BARON OUT IN THE WEST END!

#THROWBACKTHURSDAY! Peter Cushing OUT ON THE TOWN in 1987, along with his personal secretary and friend, Joyce Broughton and Husband, Bernard. It's an opening night of Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Phantom of the Opera' in August 1987. Just a few years before, this would have been quite impossible for Cushing, still in the grips, of what Joyce would later call his 'Blue Period'. The loss of his wife, Helen Cushing never truly left Cushing's mind, but during the last eight years of his life and after his retirement , he did live life to fullest! Theatre, writing, charity marathon walking, appearing on chat shows and even enjoying 'dips' in the sea, just outside his front door in Whitstable once again!

OUR #FRANKENSTEINFRIDAY RETURNS TOMORROW : FRIDAY 28TH JUNE 2019' Please JOIN US 😉

#THROWBACKTHURSDAY: JONNY GILLARD DRACULA : PETER CUSHING PHANTOM!

#THROWBACKTHURSDAY: REALLY BEAUTIFUL work by JONNY GILLARD. You think? A sample of cinematic DRACULA, down the years. Schreck, Lugosi, Lee and Oldman. Who would you COUNT as the actor with the edge on the Prince of Darkness? As you will will probably know, I don't usually do this but, these prints are for sale and you can contact Jonny : HERE!

#THROWBACKTHURSDAY! PETER CUSHING WOULD HAVE been the first to admit, he couldn't hold a note without dropping and smashing it! But, PHANTOM? He would probably not have entertained the idea, and studios like Hammer Films saw his roles in a different way, but Redway and Booth, his agents might have gambled it...they weren't strangers to certain rogue casting, over the years. Gulp! But Cushing as The Phantom..! What do you think? I came across this surreal artwork a few days ago, I don't know the artist..shout if it IS yours, please. I will credit you or take it down, whichever floats your boat . . 

I PERSONALLY THINK, Cushing had the sensitivity for the role . . . we forget he played in MANY love stories on stage, tv and cinema before Hammer arrived... Seriously though . . . Peter Cushing as The Phantom?

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 DAY MICHAEL RIPPER DROPPED IN TO SEE HIS FRIEND CHRISTOPHER LEE AT THE CINEMA STORE LONDON

If something interesting comes my way, I love to be able to share with you! Such is the case of these rarely seen candid photographs of Christopher Lee and character actor, Michael Ripper. The little I have leaned about this occasion, has come from the owner of these photographs, James Murray. 

By chance, James saw a pic I had posted on the facebook account, of both Christopher Lee and Michael Ripper, at what I thought was their Fanex Convention appearance... Thankfully, James spotted the photograph and the error and kindly wrote to me, explaining that he was working 'on the door' that day, and remembered it well. It was a book signing, attended by Christopher Lee, signing copies of his book, 'Tall, Dark and Gruesome' the Midnight Marquee edition. Being an admirer of Christopher Lee, he brought along his camera and posed for a pic...and managed to capture Michael too!

Michael Ripper, it turns out, found out about Christopher Lee appearing at the signing, and dropped in to see his old friend! Giving everyone the wonderful opportunity to see these two icons, together again, relaxed, chatting about old times. 

I am very fortunate that many of you out there send in photographs, cuttings and all-sorts Cushing related material, and for that I am very grateful. It's not always credited or accompanied with any details. So, my hunch... incorrect as it happened, lead to meeting James and obtaining some great photographs, courtesy of Mr Murray! Thank you!

ABOVE: Michael Ripper and Christopher Lee at the FANEX Convention in 1999.

DAPPER CUSHING SIGNED PHANTOM PROGRAMME

Here's a great item of Peter Cushing memorabilia that Karen Sonnenberg has sent in for us to share. A very nice signed programme for Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Phantom of the Opera'. Thank you, Karen! Peter attended the show at Her Majesty's Theatre, London with Joyce and Bernard Broughton back in August 1987. We've attached a pic of Peter arriving looking very dapper as usual. His evening suit and white silk scarf can be seen at the Whitstable museum.