HAIR RAISING ISSUES WITH DRACULA : VINCENT PRICE INTERVIEW 1986 : A THROWBACK-THROWING BACK?

#CHRISTOPHERLEE We HAM and EGGED it!' Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee in TWO rare photographs . .Lee here sharing thoughts on his work and long friendship with Peter Cushing . . .

#VincentPrice YESTERDAY, over at the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE I shared  a lovely interview with Vincent Price in 1986, rebroadcast in 1993. ..as ever, charming, entertaining and funny 😊 'Madhouse' and 'House of the Long Shadows' were Peter Cushing appeared with Vincent Price, I think are a joy to watch them together! I hope you enjoy THIS INTERVIEW too 😉

 

#THROWBACKTHURSDAY: THROW YOUR MIND BACK about three years ago..... and the rare photograph I posted you can see on the RIGHT. It's an image of writer Chris Knight from Cinefantastque 'behind the scenes' at Elstree Studios, during the making of 'Dracula AD 1972', with Christopher Lee. The photograph, an exposure on a contact sheet from photographer and good friend of Christopher Lee's, Peter Nicolson, wasn't actually titled or labelled. But it looked pretty obvious to me and several others, that this was taken, during the shooting of AD. Nicolson took several amazing behind the scenes shots during filming, some were used in a feature on AD in volume 2 number 2, of Cinefantastique . . an issue until recently, I have never seen before until just a few days ago. Some thought on the Facebook PCASUK Fan Page it was taken during the making of 'Taste the Blood of Dracula'... why not slip along to the page and tell us, what you think? - Marcus

MORE ON THIS ABOVE : RIGHT HERE! 

#SILENTBUTDEADLY: GIFS SNAKES MUSTACHES AND MAKE UP!

#SILENTBUTDEADLY: Dr. Namaroff (Peter Cushing) attempts to destroy The Gorgon (Prudence Hyman), though makes the fatal mistake of looking directly at her, from Hammer's The Gorgon (1964). It's surprising how many times this scene has been requested. Despite the slightly disappointing SFX at the end, even by 1960's standards, everything else makes up for it in this Hammer classic. Everyone is on board, Cushing, Lee, Barbara Shelley and even Patrick Troughton get a look in! Haunting, score and top notch sets from the Bray team, 'The Gorgon' is one that grows on you. The script is imaginative, and the idea of The Medusa, 'monster' was original for the time. It's an idea that is bendy enough for Josh Kennedy, of Gooey Films to fit a contemporary setting. and Josh's 'Night of the Medusa' I would recommend. Keep an eye out here, for my review, sooon! This was requested by Tim The Smart (!) USA. Thanks Tim!

#SILENTBUTDEADLY: Baron Frankenstein (Peter Cushing) about to add jail breaking to his list of crimes...this GIF from Hammer's 'The Evil Of Frankenstein' (1964). Requested by Albee Crawford.

 
#SILENTBUTDEADLY: Baron Meinster (David Peel) temporarily gets the better of Van Helsing (Peter Cushing) in Hammer's 'The Brides Of Dracula' (1960). Requested by Honest Sammy!

#SILENTBUTDEADLY: Before we go any further with this one..I have a confession. Christopher Lee as Prof. Karl Meister, in Hammer films, 'The Gorgon'? I get his performance, sort of, the voice I kind of believe, but it does distract me, every viewing. But, the  actual character, the age, the mustache? No. Why did they opt for trying to make him older? The whole grouchy Einstein thing?

When I interviewed make up artist, Roy Ashton, yeeears later, I asked him about it. You want to know what his opinion was? 'I don't know why. But, I do remember it came from the top. They wanted to try something different. Looking at it, it was a mustache which was made. Peter preferred to grow his own, he had a allergy to the gum we used. That's a wig, I would think. It usually was with Christopher Lee, some piece or another, and simple aging. ME: Did that happen often, the suits would suggest something, about the make up? ROY: Well, more often than not, they would leave you to it. Unless there was something they didn't like, they thought didn't work. Like the mustaches in Hammer's 'Curse of the Werewolf' They didn't like them. They said that it didn't look correct. But I had researched the era and location, for facial hair and whatnot, at the Victoria and Albert Museum. And presented my findings. And then they said, 'Oh alright'!  

ROY: Christopher's appearance was what they wanted, and I, as well as many others were too busy on the blessed snakes for the actual Gorgon, to worry. Oh it took sometime, and at the end of the day, you try your best. The same could be said, with the mask for Herbert Lom in their 'Phantom of the Opera'. They spent weeks and weeks leading up to the time, the actual day, that we were shooting a scene, where the mask had to be seen. They just didn't know what they wanted. I found some rags, some latex and a bit of paint, and put it together during my lunch break. 'That's it! That's it, they said, That's what we want!'..It was just as well, really'

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#GIMMETHEGIFWEDNESDAY: DE SADE, WANDERING HANDS AND ALTER EGOS

#GIMMETHEGIFWEDNESDAY: Here's are this week's selection of requested GIFS, sent in by you the followers and friends of the PCAS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE

THERE IS ALWAYS a good reaction to any posts we make that centre around the theme of Peter Cushing's 1965 Amicus film, THE SKULL. A tight and suspenseful drama, that poses a different kind of threat, namely the 200 year old skull of the Marquis de Sade, a French aristocrat, philosopher and writer of explicit sexual works, who was born in Paris in 1740! But, for Amicus films purposes, the naughty works and business is left for another day!   Again, producer Milton Subotsky came up with another excellent cast with which to furnish his latest horror on a budget flick. Lead Peter Cushing is supported not only by Christopher Lee, but also Patrick Wymark, Nigel Green, Michael Gough, Patrick Magee, Peter Woodthorpe and Jill Bennett. Actors who had been tried out by Amicus in previous outings, and had passed mustard in some Hammer films too. The film uses quick, basic and workable effects, via some strings, wires and some clever editing. Director Freddie Francis using his 'through-the eye sockets pov for the first time here.  A good example is the shot in the GIF above. Peter Cushing would have to be a tad-dab-hand with a dagger, to hit that eye socket the first, second ..even maybe fourth take, if he was lucky. However, placing the hand on the dagger handle, the blade in the eye socket, then pulling the dagger OUT, and cranking the motion BACKWARDS in post, would get you a hit every time! And, just like the movie itself, a HIT . . no matter how many times I have watched it! KEY MOMENTS: Cushing possessed by The Skull tries to commit murder. The nightmare abduction of Cushing and his on-the-edge-of-your-seat trial!

REQUESTED BY A. RANDELL

 

 

'AND NOW, THE SCREAMING STARTS' was Amicus films one and only step into the territory usually inhabited by Hammer films. Spooky castles, creepy graveyards, frilly cuffs and cloaks. Gothic ghost stories, was maybe something they tried, as a scene in a short story in their familiar portmanteau films, but as a full length movie, 'AND NOW, THE SCREAMING STARTS (1973)' was the only full length feature, and the result was patchy. Shot under the production title of 'Fengriffen', the name of the novel by David Case, Roger Marshall wrote a screenplay that at times manages to be, predictable, yet confusing and contrived. However, the cast are entertaining as, Cushing, Ian Ogilvy, Herbert Lom, Patrick Magee and Stephanie Beacham all go through the 'ghost story-by numbers' for what feels like forever. 'And Now . . ' also marks the debut of Peter Cushing's  wavey full head wig! In interviews Cushing compared his 'full mopped' appearance to that of actress Helen Hayes!. However, research has shown, it was Cushing himself who requested the wig and would go on to wear it in Hammer films, 'Frankenstein And The Monster from Hell' and as Count Gerard De Merret in LA GRANDE BRETECHE, an episode of Anglia Television's popular series 'Orson Welles Great Mysteries' in 1973. Fans hated the mop then, as they do now!

Probably the best scene in 'And Now . . . ' can be seen here, in our requested GIF. Desecrated tombs, smashed skeletal remains, a raving madman and face off with an axe, all played out in a lashing storm in a family cemetery, makes for high drama, as Cushing's Dr Pope tries to reason with a not too happy Ian Ogilvy. It's certainly worth a watch, for Cushing's Dr Pope. Although he doesn't get a whole lot to do, the film noticeably lifts, when he arrives and gives the story a high five...and no, I am not referring to the wandering severed hand, that pops up and clumps around either. Yes, the Amicus's clock-work, five fingered fiend makes an other appearance! Having already built up a following after it's debut in ''DR TERROR'S HOUSE OF HORRORS' IN 1965, it turns up in Amicus future features  'SCREAM AND SCREAM AGAIN' and 'ASYLUM'

GIF REQUESTED BY K.BARNES

 

#GIMMETHEGIFWEDENESDAY: It's interesting that of all the requests we've received for GIFS since last week, and have shared over the last seven days on the PCAS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE  , just under half were from the films that Peter Cushing made for Amicus films. Evidence that maybe Subotsky's and Rosenberg's efforts are getting their fair share of the recognition and a slice of the appreciation pie at last? However, no matter how that tide may turn, like Hammer films, Amicus also had their fair share of misfires. 'I.MONSTER' is not a failure by any standards. The short fall that can be seen and felt in the film, is the product of 'management mangling'. It's a film that frustratingly sits, through no fault of it's director and cast, somewhere between classic and clunky. Destructive meddling and tampering on a fools errand, with the laughable idea, of what was considered by it's producer, to be a cheap way of making a film, in 3D, caused much damage. The film that was ultimately released contained several scenes and shots that were filmed to accommodate that notion. Tracking camera shots from behind plants, obstructing test-tubes and pillars, to say nothing of 'objects being thrust' at the camera, that makes I, MONSTER at times, a very odd watch.

Stylish direction from a very young Stephen Weeks holds the story firmly together, and it's a version that many of the Jekyll and Hyde purists, seems to like*. Performances from Cushing and Lee are very good indeed. Lee owns his Mr Blake. Again, Cushing doesn't have a lot to do in the way of anything dynamic, but it's not that kind of role or film. And though the ending maybe quick, it's a good one, even though time constraints may have been the reason behind the obvious doubling of Lee's stand in, Eddie Powell, getting more than his fair share of the accidental close ups. The supporting cast does well, even with the weird appearance, of Radio DJ Mike Raven strolling through a late 1800's drawing room in full Victorian get-up! All play well and, look great.... the film indeed, DOES have a wonderful air and look of authenticity. Pinewood studio's still standing streets sets, from their mega budget musical 'OLIVER', do much to make the film look far more expensive than it really is. Sets were never Amicus's 'thing'. Many of their films were hurriedly shot at Shepperton and Pinewood, on the sets left behind from other productions, just DAYS before they would be struck or demolished.  For me personally, the problem is the score. A dreary string sawing quartet, pinches out the thinnest of tinny, depressing and mawkish sounds. When taking my annual viewing of this film, I SKIP the opening title roll, or I'd be 'hanging' from the rafters, by the last credit!

GIF REQUESTED BY PAULINE TANKERTON

* Producer Milton Subotsky, decided to rename the lead characters of this Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson  classic, Dr Marlowe and Mr Blake. It has been claimed that he changed the names on learning that Hammer films were  shooting their own variation on the theme, with Dr Jekyll and Sister Hyde . When I interviewed Milton Subotsky for the camera in 1982, and asked him to explain his choice of changing names. Milton confidently told me, 'I thought it would be a fun thing to do!..I wanted to add, 'Like making a film in 3D???' but opted to keep my trap, shut tight!

 

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YET MORE GREAT GIFS AND COOL STUFF FOR A TUESDAY!

It's #TOOCOOLTUESDAY and as always, here is a collection of random yet, connected items, brought to you because of their association with the ever so cool, Mr Peter Cushing...!

WE SHARED this RARE archive photograph on the PCAS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE TODAY, and asked our friends and followers, who was it posing with 'the wigs', beard and ....missing tooth?

THE ANSWER can be revealed in the photograph above and the banner at the top of this post... they are none other than, stars of 'AT THE EARTH'S CORE' Caroline Munro and Doug McClure, wearing the wigs and beards that would be worn by the actors who would play the 'primitive cave people' in the film. Though the 'missing front tooth' of Mr McClure, is quite genuine!

TRIVIA: Peter Cushing for much of his professional life, from 1948 onwards, wore a front denture. It's mentioned in his autobiography that he lost the original tooth, playing rugby! A bit of publicity spin there, I am afraid. Cushing suffered a tooth infection, just before his shooting of Osric in Olivier's film, 'Hamlet'. In fact, 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...and how cool, is THAT?

Here's another selection of GIF'S that have appeared on the Peter Cushing Appreciation Society Facebook Fan Page over the past few days, giving us our EIGHTH PCAS GIF GALLERY!

..AND HERE, is some MORE Caroline Munro! This time as the poor Laura Beddows in Hammer films, DRACULA AD 1972  with Christopher Lee. It doesn't end well, I am afraid....

FROM THE SAME Hammer film, Peter Cushing as Van Helsing, not for the first time, is locked in a struggle to once again destroy the Count, and in this shot..not doing too well...

When not slapping around vampire hunters, biting faire maidens, Christopher Lee was the meekest of men. And here, we see him at home in 1974 with his wife, Birgit and daughter, Christina, in the cutest of family scenes. This shot was featured in the documentary, 'In Search of Dracula' (1974) in which Lee himself goes in search of the origins of the bloody Count!

Peter Cushing once again in the role of a vampire hunter, with a twist. This, one Gustav Weil, belongs to a merry band of called the 'Brotherhood' who see it as their job to rid the town of surge of vampires and  one in particular called, Count Karnstein, there's that name again, played by Damian Thomas, in his one and only role for Hammer films in 'TWINS OF EVIL'. By this time, Hammer were finding it hard to keep the ol 'vampire fire a-burning' so new and ever more inventive plots and schemes had to be invented, when Christopher Lee, dig in his heels and said a very firm, NO! What they came up with in this case, is one of the very best deviations. TWINS, beautiful one's at that, played by the quite credible Collinson sisters, Mary and Madeline. Yet again, all certainly doesn't end well in this saga either, with the final reel playing out like a Greek tragedy. With death, destruction and the offing of even poor ol Peter, it's enough to make anyone, loose their head!  

HAMMER FILMS had been toying with the idea of following the Universal Frankenstein films track, as far back as 1959, when the REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN , switched themes from 'creating a woman' to unleashing a killer with a  taste for human flesh, a cannibal  creation, instead. It took a few years for the subject to re-emerge, as 'FRANKENSTEIN CREATED WOMAN'  in 1967. The woman was the lovely, Susan Denberg, who keep the body count going while keep the dirty mac brigade happy at the same time...and still does! 

 

AND FINALLY, a shot from a film that sadly, when released joined the party, when the music had stopped, the last of the booze had gone and everyone was collecting their platform shoes and bomber jackets from the cloakroom! Tigon films, tale of terror, sadly came on the tail end of the horror film craze in the UK, and never received the attention it so deserved! 'THE CREEPING FLESH', despite it's hacky title, is a great little film, with knock out performances from Lee and Cushing...and the BIGGEST skeleton you've ever seen..if you don't count, Victoria Beckham! 

Amicus had already made 'THE SKULL' in 1965, a SKULL WITH NO BODY, floating around for revenge, now Tigon tapped into the, SKULL WITH A BODY, also lightly floating around and seeking revenge. Revenge, for quite a silly reason really, as was scriptwriters wants back in the day, if the plot had to be about revenge, it was driven sometimes by the flimsiest of reasons. And this film, falls into that ditch. BUT, it is still is head and shoulders, above most fantasy films of this time... definitely worth catching, and is WELL over due it's release on blu ray...are you listening Twilight Time???

MORE COOL STUFFS, NEXT TUESDAY....how cool is that? 

Written by Marcus Brooks.

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RAISING HAIR PROBLEMS: THE CHANGING HAIR AND FACE OF COUNT DRACULA : CHRISTOPHER LEE :

Hair and actors, for men particularly, can be a sensitive subject. Thinning hairlines for some like, signaled the beginning of a life tied to hiding their thinning locks, with endless spraying and careful combing or gluing down hair pieces and relying on were sometimes not the most convincing of toupees. Yul Brynner celebrated, his head minus hair, it was never a problem. Telly Savalas too, when he got fed up with combing-over the last strands, took to the shaver, and whipped, what he had been holding onto, off ...and never looked back. But for many actors, they believed not having a full head of hair, lessened your chances in casting....

For the majority of his film roles, from Hammer's Hound of the Baskervilles onwards in 1959, Lee wore pieces, with the exception of Mycroft Holmes in 'The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes' (1970) here Lee, for the only time, went completely  'sans toupee'! When this brave, but strange decision drew a little too much attention, Lee explained it away, as an act of dedication to playing the role and that he had simply shaved his head!  But all these wigs he wore, also explains why he had such a weird hair line and bouffant top in 'Risen From the Grave'...and a really good wig in AD 1972 and Satanic Rites...and I think more than one in Dracula 58, in the first close up shot where he welcomes Harker, the hairpiece looks a lot smaller, than in the rest of the film...and in Darkness it had less widows peak. Taste the Blood was maybe too full and his own hair sometimes flopped over his ears, Scars of... was a good one!

For many actors, with 'the advancement of the years', and  long careers, very few ever get away without any some help from a weave or wig. Think Humphrey Bogart, David Niven, John Wayne, all piece wearers on and off screen. To be fair, I don't think this is only or just about vanity. In Christopher Lee's case, early hair thinning, caused a problem and throughout his career, he had to present himself as the person / actor that his audiences recognised. Without his hair, he wasn't the Christopher Lee the public knew. He was Christopher Lee without hair.

Peter Cushing and Vincent Price, were lucky to have 'some' there. In later years, Cushing would whip his into, what could be quite a complicated quiff, that must have been held together with a lot of hairspray... but at least he didn't have to sit for an extra hour while they glued the webbing and pinned a 'rug' down. I think when he first appeared without it, around 1974 and the time of the productions of Shatter, The Uncanny, Earth's Core, The New Avengers... he must have been reviled to be finished with it, having worn toupee and weaves since around 1967...

 

If you look at some of Cushing's jottings and requests on his scripts, you see his recommendations for particular hair pieces that he had worn in previous productions. Film production companies rarely stocked wigs, depending on the budget, make up men or hairdressers/ wig makers would make pieces to order or from stock, they would be hired. For many years, Cushing had his own personal hair piece, which he might wear in a film and in public. You might remember, when Cushing was pounced on by Michael Aspel for his appearance on This Is Your Life in 1990, he is heard to say, 'It's just as well, I wore my toupee today, isn't?'