THE STORY BEHIND ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC SCENES IN HORROR FILM HISTORY

Ask any Hammer film fan, what would be their favourite top three scenes above all others in the Hammer catalog, and chances are the closing moments of Hammer's 1958, Dracula / Horror of Dracula. The build up to the scene, with Christopher Lee's Dracula being pursued by Cushing Van Helsing, is topped off with a dramatic 'face to face' battle, with Van Helsing finally cornering the Count and pushing him into the deadly sunlight, with an improvised crucifix, made from two crossed candle sticks. A move that wasn't in the script, but suggested by Peter Cushing. Here in Cushing's own words, is the story behind one the most iconic scenes in horror film history and for the first time, we present the scene that inflenced Cushing and how it looked in the Hammer films classic!

"In the original script Van Helsing was sort of like a salesman for crucifixes. He was pulling them out of every pocket. He was giving them to children to protect themselves, and putting them in coffins and so on. At the end of the film, he pulled out another one, so I asked if we couldn't do something exciting instead."

"I remembered seeing a film years ago called Berkeley Square in which Leslie Howard was thought of as being the Devil by this frightened little man who suddenly grabbed two big candlesticks and made a sign of the cross with them. I remembered that this had impressed me enormously. I suggested the run along the refectory table to jump onto the curtains and hit Dracula square in the face with the sunlight."

The scene From Berkeley Square That
Peter Cushing Remembered!

"He would, of course, be trapped. Then I could come along like a hero, grab the two candlesticks and make the cross with them in his face. They agreed. Originally the candelabra they had were the type with four candles on each base. You could tell what I was doing, but it didn't look like a cross, but they changed to the ones you see in the film. At least it wasn't another crucifix coming out of my pockets!"

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HOW TO TELL IF YOU ARE A UBER CUSHING FAN: ALICE LOPES TRAVELS TO WHITSTABLE

Some of you may remember last weekend I shared with you the lovely story and images of Charlie and Brad's amazing Peter Cushing Themed Wedding in Whitstable...and how we crowned them Uber Cushing Fans! Well, here's another friend and member of our Cushing Community... Alice Lopes from Brazil! Illustraited with her own photographs and in her own words, here is Alice's story. Again we ask the question, Uber Fan? You decide.

'My name's Alice Lopes, I'm nineteen years old and I'm from Brazil. I live in Sao Paulo, where I study Economics. I, like Vincent Price I believe that, "A man who limits his interests, limits his life" so, despite my area of study being so different, I do enjoy literature, films, arts, classical music and so on.'

'I first became acquainted with Peter Cushing in the film "Madhouse" when I was twelve years old. Since then I've been watching his films and interviews, and reading about his life and his career at the wonderful PCASUK facebook page. Madhouse is also my favourite Peter Cushing film, there is something that touches me profoundly. Maybe because it was the first film in which I saw Peter. Maybe due to the whole gothic and mysterious atmosphere, Vincent Price as a tormented character, I love the breathtaking photography, in scene of the murdered girl being carried off into the mists by an unknown man...'

'The Peter Cushing restaurant and Inn was very special. I loved the Peter Cushing items around. The photographs and his watercolours on the walls too. The photograph of Peter Cushing as Sherlock Holmes! 'A Scandal in Bohemia' is my favourite story. I love the way Watson describes Holmes' thoughts about love. But every single Sherlock story has something special. I also appreciate tv Sherlock series, specially those ones of Peter Cushing's BBC programmes, later Jeremy Brett's too. Basil Rathbone I like very much too.'

'To sit at Peter Cushing's table at the Tudor Tea Rooms, was a strange experience, in a public place, yet to me very personal and touching. Peter's photograph on plaque over the table, looking down. The staff were very friendly. I was able to sit and reflect, this was was my first time to travel abroad, and I definitely loved every single detail about Whitstable. The UK is quite different from Brazil, full of bookshops, museums, parks... And there's much to be explored.'

'Another very special moment. It was very peaceful sitting on the 'Lovers Bench' that was donated by Peter Cushing, on behalf of him and his wife, Helen. This little area is named after Peter Cushing too, 'Cushing's View' and well worth a visit'

'And so, we come to 'the magic place'. I had traveled almost 10,000km, to see it for myself. The home where once Peter and Helen Cushing had once lived. I was so surprised to see outside, it had not really changed, since they had lived there. All of the photographs I had seen. His studio, with the large sloping windows, to let in light when he did his painting. The little white gate, I had seen him stand here in photographs. Now, I was here. And very happy to be. The local people there told me, lots of people come here to visit, to see. And I can see and feel why. It is very peaceful. He physically is not here,... but would you think me crazy if if I said, his smile is! No. 9,000 km is not too far. And will come again. Peter Cushing plus Whitstable equals, Magic !' 

Alice Lopes Chats To Geoff Laurens

Antique Shop Owner in Whitstable

 St Alphege Church, Whitstable Exterior and Interior, A copy of Peter Cushing's book, 'The Bois Saga' at the local library and Whitstable train station. 

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DAME DIANA RIGG GUESTS AT BFI SCREENING OF CUSHING AVENGERS CYBERNAUT SCREENING

NEWS: Karate-chopping, killer robots, Peter Cushing – this episode of the classic tv series THE AVENGERS has it all! The Avengers: Return of The Cybernauts starring Diana Rigg, Patrick Macnee...and guest starring Peter Cushing is to be screened at the BFI London on Sunday 25 October 2015. The screening will be followed by a compilation of oddities and rarities from the world of Emma Peel and The Avengers.

Joint ticket available with The Avengers: The House That Jack Built + discussion with Dame Diana Rigg. Tickets go on sale, 06-10-2015 11:30 am 

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS AVENGERS EPISODE : HERE 

BRAD AND CHARLIE HARMER-BARNES : UBER CUSHING FANS

Brad and Charlie wrote to us this week to tell us about a very special event that happened last weekend... ' We went to Whitstable for the first time when it was Peter's centenary in 2013 and fell in love with the place.....

 Charlie and Brad hanging out at the market, by the harbour in Whitstable..

'We love The Peter Cushing Wetherspoon's pub and restaurant ,The Old Neptune pub, we love wandering around the small shops on the high street...'

'We knew if we were ever going to get married it would be there...and it WAS...and we DID... LAST WEEKEND... in Whitstable! In fact, we had a Peter Cushing kinda themed reception too!

'All of our tables at the wedding reception were named after characters that Peter played throughout the span of his career!...

A Special Gift, that no Uber Cushing Fan should ever be without.... 'One of my closest friends made us this amazing pillow!' Yes, now there is a Peter Cushing Cushion....

'This was the name of the Top Table at the reception....'

 

'We had an amazing day, the sun was shining, everyone was helping themselves to 99 ice creams from the van that we hired. We laughed and we danced the night away. The table names proved to be popular, prompting lots of questions. The thing I love most about Peter was his devotion to his wife. I hope we can have a marriage like theirs' 

Our VERY special thanks to both Charlie and Brad...Mr and Mrs Harmer-Barnes, for sharing these lovely photographs and the story of their special day with us all. To love and be loved Is the pinnacle of happiness and riches. May you never lose sight of this precious treasure in all your days together. smile emoticon Our very best wishes to you both and your future together...and yes, you ARE indeed Uber Cushing Fans!

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY VERONICA CARLSON TODAY