WOMEN IN GOTHIC: THE ACTRESSES OF HAMMER'S FRANKENSTEIN SERIES: BRUCE G. HALLENBECK

A NEW and EXCLUSIVE series coming to the Peter Cushing appreciation Society starting next weekend, written by BRUCE G HALLENBECK 'WOMAN IN GOTHIC' featuring the work of the actresses who starred along side Peter Cushing in the Hammer film Frankenstein film series. Interviews,clips and rare stills will make this one not to miss!

A few years back Bruce wrote a superb seven part series for us entitled THE MISTRESSES OF DRACULA, which still stands as one of our most popular posted series at THEBLACKBOXCLUB.COM 

Over the years Bruce has been busy filling our book shelves with some very informative and entertaining books on the histories of Hammer and Amicus films British Cult Cinema: The Hammer Vampire, Hammer Fantasy and Sci-Fi, The Hammer Frankenstein and The Amicus Anthology.... all great reads, fully illustrated and available now from HEMLOCK BOOKS

PLUS look out for Bruce's 'Rock 'n' Roll Monsters', which will be out in 2016. In the meantime, we are thrilled to be presenting this series, which we think you are going to LOVE too!

WAR GAMES, SUSPENDED PLANES AND MODEL SOLDIERS : PETER CUSHING MASTER MODEL MAKER AT HOME

More Images of Peter Cushing Hobbies, Toys and Games: Peter inspects his model aircraft, suspended by fishing wire from the ceiling in his studio at Whitstable. Painting his figures for a American Civil War encampment tableau. Engrossed in a 'LITTLE WARS' with his figures, consulting his 'War Games' hand book written by H.G.Wells and finally inspecting his William Britain figures at home in number 9, Hillsleigh Road, Notting Hill..... 

Peter Cushing secretary remembers: ' Hillsleigh Road was originally stables in the 1900's and it had been rebuilt as a house. It only had two bedrooms, a small kitchen, a beautiful sitting room and dinning room and at the far end, were three or four steps into a huge studio which housed Peter's enormous collection of soldiers, all his paintings and things, a vast collection of books and a huge games table!'

THE SPREAD OF THE EAGLE : BBC TELEVISION 1963 CUSHING MICHELL AND EDDINGTON

In January 1963, Peter Cushing emabarked on his most involved project for sometime. It was a threepart BBC adapation of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, part of the nine part cycle called The Spread of the Eagle, which included Corialanus and Antony and Cleopatra. The producer and director was Peter Dawes, who in 1960 had overseen a massive and prestigious production called An Age of Kings comprising Shakespeare's Richard II, Henry IV and VI and Richard III, starring Sean Connery and Robert Hardy.

In The Spread of the Eagle Cushing was to play Caius Cassius, one of the conspirators in the murder  of Julius Caesar. Cassius is described by Casear as having ' a lean and hungry look'- an appropriate description for Cushing. Fellow conspirator Brutus was Paul Eddington, with Barry Jones as Caesar and Keith Michell as Mark Antony.

The setting is Rome 44BC, where'the colossus'- Julius Caesar- is urged to accpt supreme power. Howeveer, the republicans, icluding the palin thinking Brutus and the coldly intellectual senator Cassius, think they see another tyrant in the making. So a consiracy is forged to assassinate Caesar, while strange supernatural events warn the citizens that tragedy is impending. Casear's death  brings about civil war, and the republican army led by Brutus and Cassius must confront the forces of mark Antony, loyal to Caesars memory.. Brutus, troubled by conscience and ghostly visitations, has little heart fir the fight; neither has Cassius. The battle goes well for them at first, but their enemies prevail and both conspirators die by their own hands.

With it's 1960's graphics and elaborate camera set ups, The Spread of the Eagle boasts a deliberately modern approach, showing how much more sophhisticated television production had become since Cushing's last performances. The acting is naturalistic, and Cushing brings force and and passion to his delivery of Shakespeare's text, investing the complex speeches with emotion and meaning. In his black wig he looks severe, and the television cameras are noticeably less kind to his face than film cameras.

Before rehearsals started on February 25th, Cushing was in contact with Peter Dews to check the pronunciation of certain lines. The series was recorded in Studio 4, television centre on March 8th, March 25th and April 5th 1963 with Cushing's fee at 563 guineas per episode. The production was recorded 'as live', which meant that the recording breaks were kept to a minimum (to avoid costly editing) and small mistakes had to be worked through if possible. Paul Eddinton remembered the problems created by having real horses in the studio - they tended to slip on the rubberised flooring that was used for the battlefield. While Cushing and Eddington struggled to continue their performances, Keith Michell was fighting a losing battle to keep on his horse out of shot. Michelle called Cushing's Cassius 'one of the finest Shakespearean performances I have ever seen' remembering that during rehearsals, Cushing wore doormats and fire-irons in place of his sword and armour, leading the bluff Northerner Peter Dews to remark that he looked like a hearth-tidy!

The newspapers picked up on the return of Peter Cushing. This chripy piece was from James Green in the Daily Mirror,'A Few words today from Cassius. Not Cassius Clay of boxing fame. He never said just a few words about anything. This Cassius is the one with the lean and hungry look. Mr Peter Cushing will play him tonight on BBC TV in the Shakespearean play cycle The Spread of the Eagle' It is five years since Cushing last acted for the BBC. But having decided that they can be no worse than the horror films he is back with a bang. Mr Cushing as Senator Caius Cassius, will be on view for three Fridays in succession. Take a close look at the togas being worn on tv. If you buy a ticket to see Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra you will spot the same garments.

'The TV people decided to use the film company togas and we had to wait fr them to arrive from Rome!' says Cassius Cushing. 'I suppose if togas have got to come from anywhere, they might as well come from Rome! They arrive in two sizes." he explains "Large and small. All that needs altering is the hem length. They have an advantage over suits that fittings are not required. The more I wear togas the more I like them. The real thing takes a long time to wind round but these film jobs were in simplified form. A toga is loose and comfortable, does away with collars and ties and it's easy to learn to swing the train over the left arm'. Peter Cushing lives at Whitstable and for much of the year enjoys - if that is the word- a daily swim. He is the kind of Pied Piper to the local children and often joins them in beach games. In fact, the mob can sometimes be seen pushing him into the water. Casius of the wet and watery look!' 

Text taken from 'The Peter Cushing
Companion' by David Miller

CUSHING ON WAR GAMES : THE ART OF MODEL AND FIGURE MAKING

Requested: PATHE NEWS 1956: Peter Cushing at his home in Kensington,London...entertains the Pathe News camera with his outstanding collection of over 5,000 model soldiers. All made and painted by his own hand. Many of the figures are made from compressed drawing paper, with detachable swords and helmets and then painted.

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FIGHTING THE TYPE CAST UNTIL THE END : CHRISTOPHER LEE

Christopher Lee hard at work at a book signing in London.....is asked some interesting questions. As well as the the most obvious one! Ten out of ten for his first answer!

QUESTION: So what is it like being the worlds most famous vampire?

CHRISTOPHER LEE'S ANSWER: I wouldn't know! Perhaps you should ask Gary Oldman?

The Oldman / Francis Ford Coppola release of DRACULA had hit the screen a short time before this interview......

 Credit to kinolibrary

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SNEAK PREVIEW DR TERRORS HOUSE OF HORRORS STEEL BOOK EXTRAS FROM ODEON ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

Here's a HEADS UP and a SNEAK PREVIEW of the extras coming our way in the LIMITED EDITION REGION FREE STEEL BOOK BLU RAY release of Amicus films 'DR TERROR'S HOUSE OF HORRORS'. It's a available now as a pre order with an official release date of September 21st 2015.

Available NOW on DVD from http://www.odeonent.co.uk
 

Scanned at 4k by Pinewood Post Production and with newly commissioned Steel Book art by the renowned Graham Humphreys, this collector's version is limited to 4,000 individually numbered Steel Books. Dr Terror (Peter Cushing) is a mysterious fortune teller who boards a train and offers to tell fellow passengers (Christopher Lee, Roy Castle, Donald Sutherland) their fortune with tarot cards. 

Five possible futures unfold: an architect returns to his ancestral home to find a werewolf out for revenge; a huge flesh-eating vine takes over a house; a musician gets involved with voodoo; an art critic is pursued by a disembodied hand and a doctor discovers his new wife is a vampire. But they all end in the same result…..death. A fascinating and fast paced example of portmanteau film-making with a deadly twist in the tale.

READ our FEATURE and take in our VINTAGE GALLERY of PHOTOGRAPHS and LOBBY STILLS from this AMICUS CUSHING/ LEE CLASSIC, just by CLICKING HERE

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CHRISTOPHER LEE. THE FLAT TYRE AND THE FAINTING FARMER

Christopher Lee shares the story of how on a rural journey with his wife Gitta, a simple flat tyre throws him into an encounter that one farmer and his dog, will never forget! 

JUST CLICK HERE AND PRESS THE LIKE BUTTON!

DR TERRORS HOUSE OF HORRORS STEEL BOOK SNEAK PREVIEW EXTRAS FROM OED

Here's a HEADS UP and a SNEAK PREVIEW of the extras coming our way in the LIMITED EDITION REGION FREE STEEL BOOK BLU RAY release of Amicus films 'DR TERROR'S HOUSE OF HORRORS'. It's available now as a pre order from http://www.odeonent.co.uk with an official release date of September 21st 2015.

PRESS PLAY FOR SNEAK PREVIEW

Available on DVD from http://www.odeonent.co.uk
 

Scanned at 4k by Pinewood Post Production and with newly commissioned Steel Book art by the renowned Graham Humphreys, this collector's version is limited to 4,000 individually numbered Steel Books. Dr Terror (Peter Cushing) is a mysterious fortune teller who boards a train and offers to tell fellow passengers (Christopher Lee, Roy Castle, Donald Sutherland) their fortune with tarot cards. Five possible futures unfold: an architect returns to his ancestral home to find a werewolf out for revenge; a huge flesh-eating vine takes over a house; a musician gets involved with voodoo; an art critic is pursued by a disembodied hand and a doctor discovers his new wife is a vampire. But they all end in the same result…..death. A fascinating and fast paced example of portmanteau film-making with a deadly twist in the tale.

DAVE PROWSE: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE FRIENDLIEST GUY IN THE GALAXY

A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the One and Only, DAVE PROWSE aka DARTH VADER, born today July 1st 1935.

For many years, Dave has been a very familiar face on the convention circuits all over the world and friend to millions.

Many of us first became aware of Prowse when he played the 'monster' of the title of Hammer films last Frankenstein film with Peter Cushing, 'Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell' in 1974 with Shane Briant and Madeline Smith.

In 1977 he would be chosen by director, George Lucus to play, a heroic Jedi Knight, Darth Vader in 'Star Wars: A New Hope' but ultimately seduced by the dark side of the Force and became a Sith Lord..... who along with Peter Cushing's, Grand Moff Tarkin would become the films' most fearsome characters.

Prowse has held a whole career of playing roles where his stature has given him the edge, not all baddies, thugs, monsters and heavies... for many thousands of children, he was the face of the UK Children's road Safety campaign on tv and in cinemas, The Green Cross Code Man'.

Have a Very Happy Birthday, Dave Prowse!!

 Full Review and Gallery on 'Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell' : HERE

HORROR CHANNEL CHRISTOPHER LEE TRIBUTE NIGHT

The Horror Channel is to dedicate a whole night’s programming to the cinematic legacy of Christopher Lee who died on June 7th. On July 2nd from 9pm they'll be bringing you four of Christopher Lee’s finest pieces; THE DEVIL RIDES OUT, DRACULA PRINCE OF DARKNESS, SCARS OF DRACULA and TO THE DEVIL A DAUGHTER. Stewart Bridle, Horror Channel’s manager said today: “'We feel the movies chosen for the night represent some of his most iconic characters and performances during his time with Hammer Films and in the horror genre. Watching these you realise why he was so highly respected as a fantastic character actor who could both be a stoic hero and also a terrifying villain. He will be greatly missed but he lives on through his amazing legacy of movies”. So, be sure to make a date in your diaries and set your recorders....

FRANKENSTEIN FRIDAY : RARE STUNT MAN JOCK EASTMAN CHRISTOPHER LEE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN STILL

#‎frankensteinfriday‬: Here's a fabulous way to start this weeks Frankenstein Friday, with a large scan of a very rare behind the scenes photograph from Hammer films 'The Curse of Frankenstein' (1957)... Here we are on the set of The Curse of Frankenstein at Hammer films, Bray Studios, with stuntman JOCK EASTMAN who stunt doubled for Christopher Lee (uncredited on this film) standing in the 'tank of acid', and being assisted by a female crew member. If you look carefully to the right of the foreground of the photograph,you can see a figure with glasses, their back to the camera... that's director Terence Fisher looking on.... Jock had just crashed through a skylight and into a tank of acid...bringing about the sad end to Cushing's Creation!