#THROWBACKTHURSDAY
: PETER CUSHING, Christopher Lee, Veronica Carlson and Barbara Ewing:
May 29th 1968, Hammer was awarded the Queen's Award to Industry in
recognition of their contribution to the British economy. Hammer had
indeed proved themselves to be the most successful British film company
ever. Their reported export earnings were in excess of £2.7 million
1968, so Hammer received the Queen's Award to Industry - the first time
the award had gone to a film production company, and yet just a decade
later, they were struggling to get a single film into production.''
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#THROWBACKTHURSDAY: It's a great tribute to the work of make up artist Roy Ashton and Peter Cushing, that Cushing's portrayal of Arthur Grimsdyke STILL gets as much attention that it does! Make Up genius RICK BAKER too to twitter today to show us his #Halloween make up for this year! It's terrific! ' “Tested my Halloween party makeup today....He tweeted.... #Grimsdyke Fabricated out of cotton & latex. Hard to shoot a selfie with black fabric on your eyes!” GREAT job!
THIS TRIBUTE TO ASHTON/CUSHING also reminds us of the 'cameo' that the make up did in #thewalkingdead TV show last year. Greg Nicotero did a great job also of recreating Cushing's nightmare-Grimsdyke, back from the dead!
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REMEMBERING:
ANTON DIFFRING. Born today in 1918, Anton Diffring came from a family
that boasted generations of actors. Cool and noble with a German accent,
he was first in line when the casting call went out for German officers
with a nasty streak. He quickly slipped into the role of Baron
Frankenstein for the pilot episode of Hammer films and Columbia
Pictures, 'Tales of Frankenstein' in 1958 and
even quicker filled the role of Dr. Georges Bonnet in Hammer's 'The Man
Who Could Cheat Death' in 1959, when the studio found themselves
without Peter Cushing for the role.
READ OUR REVIEW WITH GALLERY AT OUR SISTER WEBSITE : HERE
Diffring
is probably best remembered for his roles in 'The Blue Max' in 1966,
'Where Eagles Dare' in 1968 and François Truffaut's Fahrenheit 451
(1966) He was also cast in several film alongside Peter Cushing,
'Shatter' for Hammer in 1974, 'The Beast Must Die' for Amicus also 74
and Tyburn's 'The Masks of Death' with Peter Cushing as an elderly
Sherlock Holmes in 1984. Anton Diffring died in 1989 aged 70.
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#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 mustardin 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 thatat 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!
#TOOCOOLTUESDAY: The making of a very good prosthetic likeness of #petercushing as #grandmofftarkinalong with addition CGI work will make #grandmofftarkin in #rogueone a definite improvement on his appearance inStar Wars: Revenge of the Sith.
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#TOOCOOLTUESDAY Peter Cushing out and about in
Munich in 1979, during the making 'Hitler's Son'. It's another case of 'Horrendous film made in Europe . . . but did provide us some great photographs!'
#TOOCOOLTUESDAY: Ok...so I am guessing, the photographer said, 'That's great Peter. HOLD IT there! ...and he did just...that Peter Cushing with Joyce Broughton his friend and secretary for 35 years.
#TOOCOOLTUESDAY : Finally, can you name the Peter cushing films, in which these very grand houses appeared??
#TOOCOOLTUESDAY: TODAY OCTOBER 18TH, A Birthday Girl! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE GORGON TODAY...52 years old! We mark this one
every year, but a tip of the hat, top of course...to our good friend,
Joshua Kennedy who reminded me.. So, ...For Gorgon-Super-Fan Josh, you know, you
nor the movie haven't aged a day!
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#MonsterMonday: Christopher Lee as The CREATURE in the first Hammer film
to both star him and Peter Cushing, The Curse of Frankenstein (1957)
Well...we posed the question, as we do every Monday...was he a monster or a victim?
Lots of interest over at our FACEBOOK FAN PAGE. BELOW ARE SOME OF YOUR COMMENTS AND REACTIONS:
S.GREEN: 'The creature is a victim of things that man should best leave alone.'
J.PLAYER: '100% victim - in a way he was like Hazel Court, caught between the conflict with Peter Cushing and Robert Urguhart'.
L.CONROY? 'The
look on his face when Frankenstein commands him to stand up, walk over,
sit down, etc...he's like a beaten child. Total victim, I agree.'
#GRABTHECUSHIONITSCUSHING...
Here is the second of our SUNDAY posts under our new theme looking at
some of the most frightening scenes from Peter Cushing films.... This
week it's a clip from Amicus's Asylum (1972) SPOILERS...… In which Dr.
Martin (Robert Powell) learns the truth about 'Max' (Geoffrey Bayldon)….
Always found that laugh particularly chilling…. How DOES THIS scene
rate in your FAV CUSHING terror scenes???
THE CLIP ABOVE has stirred up some child-hood memories and revisited nightmares over at our PCASUK FACEBOOK FAN PAGE! Here are a small selections of comments from visitors:
W.SLEET:'The
climax of 'Blind Alleys' from TALES FROM THE CRYPT was one of my most
vivid childhood scares. Many of the Amicus films scared me more so than
any of the Hammer films ever did - the combination of the contemporary
setting (as opposed to costumed dramatics), plumby acTORs and gleeful
gallows humour can be very unsettling - but, even now, this chilly
little tale still makes me shudder!'
J.THORLEY: 'This
was especially shocking when I was little, I expected a traditional
happy ending. See also the hammer house of horror episode The Silent
Scream! Really disturbing'.
J.MORROW: 'That last scene with that creepy laugh chilled me to the bone. Geoffrey Bayldon gave an unforgettable performance'
P.DUFFUS: 'A classic..great music too...Mussorgsky..the PC story my favourite on this one with the suit..'
D.FULCE: 'Spent
a day with Geoffrey a few years back and told him I thought his laugh
was on par with Dwight Frys in ' Dracula ' as most chilling ever !!'
B.MAIDMENT: 'I love this film and can watch it again and again. I cant decide which story I like the best . Herbert Lom with his scary dolls or could it be Brit Eckland as Lucy. Peter Cushing with the suit but I
know Geoffrey Bayldon out shines them all in this film Great acting.
C.CARLEY: Love Geoffrey Bayldon, he was magic as Catweazle and I loved that small role he had in Dracula
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