PETERCUSHINGBLOG.BLOGSPOT.COM (PCASUK)

Saturday, 29 April 2017

#HAMMERFILMSATURDAY: ROYAL APPROVAL FOR THE BARON THE COUNT AND CO

#HAMMERFILMSATURDAY: In a few weeks time, it will be almost 50 years since Hammer films were awarded the Queens Award to industry Award, a highly sort after and respected acknowledgement of a company's efforts towards the country's economical well being.

THE EFFORTS and contributions of Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee were certainly a contribution to all that lolly in the UK's coffers. Here is a lovely GIF taken from news footage shot at the award ceremony, which Peter, Christopher lee, Veronica Carlson and many others from Hammer films attended...It was certainly a day to celebrate.

THE AWARD is now in a private collection. Look out for our own celebration to mark that day 49 years ago, in a few weeks time!

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 reach our 30K following total for Peter Cushing BIRTHDAY on MAY 26th 2017 AND Help Keep The Memory Alive!

THIS IS YOUR LIFE: GUESTING FOR ERNIE'S LIFE AND THE QUEST FOR THAT CHEQUE!

THIS WEEKEND HERE IN THE UK, it's a Bank Holiday. Which means, traditionally means, The Sound of Music with Julie Andrews will be screened on tv for the 100th time, relatives will visit, over stay and eat you out of house and home, it WILL rain for the entirety of the holiday break, and boredom will reign too! SO, here's a little treat, to be enjoyed and savored, not only here by us Brits, but across the globe, or were ever people need a giggle.

YOU CAN WATCH MANY OF PETER CUSHING'S APPEARANCES ON THE MORECAMBE AND WISE SHOW, IN OUR SPECIAL PLAYLIST AT OUR PCAS YOU TUBE CHANNEL : HERE!

FOR THE FIRST TIME we present Peter Cushing's appearance as a guest on the This Is Your Life UK show, featuring one half of that great British comedy duo, Morecambe and Wise. Sadly, Eric Morecambe had passed by this point in 1993, but Ernie bravely worked on for several years. Peter Cushing appeared many times as a guest on their show. The first was in 1969, he appeared in a comedy play 'written' by Ernie, where Peter played king Arthur. Throughout the BBC era of the show, he would regularly join Wise and his comic partner, Eric Morecambe. On stage; he would constantly seek payment for his first 1969 appearance, wearily asking "Have you got my five pounds yet?"

FULL FILM: Peter Cushing in 'A Chump At Oxford' with Laurel and Hardy

THIS RUNNING JOKE continued when the duo left the BBC and moved to Thames Television in 1978. Cushing appeared in their first special for Thames Television on 18 October, still asking to be paid, with the hosts repeatedly trying to get rid of him; at the end of the show, Morecambe placed some money in a wallet wired up to a bomb, in an attempt to blow Cushing up in exaggerated comedic style. In the duo's 1980 Christmas special, Cushing pretended to be the Prime Minister while Morecambe and Wise caroled outside 10 Downing Street; he made the comedians give him money and finally came out to declare "Paid, at last!"

ON FEBRUARY 3rd 1972 and "Live" on television, all glitter and glamour, is the once-a-year event, held in the Albert Hall, when the film and television industry presents awards covering the whole range of the industry . . .. and Peter Cushing is there to present his pals, Morecambe and Wise with their Best Light Entertainment Performance Award, along with their writer, Eddie Braben . . . and no, they didn't bring him his money!

Friday, 28 April 2017

#FRANKENSTEINFRIDAY: HUMAN MUNCHIES AT HAMMER

#FRANKENSTEINFRIDAY: Hammer films first step into their Frankenstein franchise was The Curse of Frankenstein in 1957. This was quickly followed, after it's huge commercial success by The Revenge of Frankenstein the following year. As with Curse, it's success is no small part because of Cushing's stellar return and performance, as the Baron who cheated death. But for me, there has always been more than one act of cheating in this particular return. . . .

FRANCIS MATTHEWS is terrific and believable as the good doctor's assistant, Hans. Eunice Gayson as Margret, struggles but does well with what she has been given by scriptwriter Jimmy Sangster, who had an annoying habit of giving his female characters a one dimensional, very shallow filed to plough, when it came to any of his written women. And the supporting cast were top too. I love Michael Gwynn's work, but not in this one. This is not because he was weak, like with Gayson's lot. No, Gwynn was working with a very weak concept...a man who turns Cannibal! Sangster went on record as saying, he did struggle with coming up with an angle, a 'thing' ..part of what that latest Frankenstein abomination did, that was above murder and creating chaos. This creation should repulse and make audiences shriek with terror once again. He thought long and hard, and eventually came up with, cannibalism. Well, I don't buy it. I never have, never will.

YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ON THE REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN PLUS EYE OUR LOVELY GALLERY OF RARE PICS AT OUR FEATURE : HERE!

THE WHOLE PREMISE that supports the reason why poor ol Karl has the human munchies, in the framework of this Gothic horror, sticks out as desperate, ill conceived, heavy handed and over the top. I would have been quite happy with another round of, just murder, unhappy monster and leave it at that. The Hammer Frankenstein's were most entertaining when they focused on 'The Baron'.. how bad, how manipulative, cruel and relentless HE could be. It's interesting that the most popular and financially successful films of the series, Curse and Destroyed, had Baron Frankenstein at the center of the story. On the whole, I think the Frankenstein audience went to see Peter Cushing, and were quite informed about how they liked their Gothic horror menu served up...intelligent, imaginative and with some class and taste. To me, if you throw cannibalism into the recipe, it's just too rich, one spice too many. Cannibalism...In other words, just doesn't taste that good... 😉 What do you think? Agree? disagree? - Marcus

#THROWBACKTHURSDAY: EVIDENCE OF A LOST PETER CUSHING FILM UNEARTHED!

#THROWBACKTHURSDAY: VERY INTERESTING evidence has come to light of a film that Peter Cushing appeared in the 1940's. THE NEW SCHOOL, in pre production titles, The New Teacher, was made in the UK by the UK government's CROWN FILM UNIT and mostly shot in Yorkshire and at the Homerton Collage, Cambridge . There are several pieces evidence, that appear to indicate that this was a public information film, popular at the time, and before the advent of mass broadcasting television in the UK. For the first time, we are presenting here a cover from the shooting script, a photograph of the crew on location at Homerton Collage, along with it's Crown copyright reverse side. We are working alongside a partner interest in finding out more about this 'unknown' addition to the Cushing filmography, and will keep you up to date, with any further developments and finds. Many thanks to S. Paterson for their keen eye and assistance. - Marcus

IT MIGHT BE YOU (1946) IS ANOTHER example of a film which Peter Cushing made with the CROWN FILM UNIT (above) In it, Peter Cushing plays a doctor, in a what is basically a film about driving and road safety. His diction is very much standard BBC, clipped and perfect! ... Peter Cushing appears for the duration after 1.45 mins into the short. Look out also for actor Peter Madden who would later work with Cushing in Hammer films, 'Frankenstein Created Woman' (1967) as the Chief of Police and before that, in Amicus films, 'Dr Terrors House of Horrors' in 1965. Enjoy!

Thursday, 27 April 2017

#THROWBACKTHURSDAY: REMEMBER ROGUE WAS NOT THE FIRST!

#THROWBACKTHURSDAY: Remember when the younger Tarkin played by Wayne Pygram appeared in Star Wars Revenge Of The Sith. Just like the recent CGI Tarkin in #ROGUEONE, the balloon went up, and the cries of disapproval went out!

TRIVIA: This make up work was carried out by Oscar winner Dave Elsey, who many years ago, was a fully paid up, corresponding member of PCAS back in the 1970's and 80s! Elsey has worked on a number of famous projects such as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Candyman, Alien 3 and many more, eventually winning an Oscar with Rick Baker for The Wolfman in 2010.

#SILENTBUTDEADLYWEDNESDAY: SIX GREAT GIFS REQUESTED BY YOU!

#SILENTBUTDEADLY: Breaking into the first of our SIX REQUESTED GIFS is Kharis (Christopher Lee) dispatching Mehemet Bey (George Pastell) as the speechless Isoblel Banning (Yvonne Furneaux) looks on in horror in Hammer filmsThe Mummy (1959). This is one of those occasions where the soundtrack is as good as the visuals. A sickening crack and crunch, comes courtesy of the Hammer special effects dept, making this one of those golden but gut turning classic Hammer clips. Thanks to Colin Bond who requested this and our NEXT GIF today... #hammerfilms #petercushing #christopherlee #themummy

YOU CAN REQUEST ANY GIF FROM A PETER CUSHING FILM FOR NEXT WEEK'S GALLERY, BY SIMPLY EMAIL US AT THE EMAIL BELOW OR COMING INTO OUR FACEBOOK Peter Cushing APPRECIATION Society Fan Page AND SEND US A MESSAGE USING THE 'MESSAGE / CONTACT US BUTTON!

#SILENTBUTDEADLYWEDNESDAY: Paul Beresford (Peter Cushing) looking very pleased with himself, as a Cybernaut delivers one of the scientists that will help him avenge his brothers death, from The Avengers episode "Return of the Cybernauts" . . . #petercushing #carolinemunro #dougmcclure

#SILENTBUTDEADLYWEDNESDAY: For Jenny Price. Dr. Abner Perry (Peter Cushing) getting 'mesmerized despite him being British!' from At The Earths Core (1976). A truly fun film, with all the cast, on top form and the rubber monsters just add to its charm! #petercushing #dougmcclure #carolinemunro #amicusfilms #attheearthscore

#SILENTBUTDEADLY: Silent, but just as effective, with the audio track. Peter Cushing as Osric from Laurence Olivier's 'HAMLET'. Cushing's foppish dandy makes an exit that's hard to forget! Thanks to Karl 'The Mangle' Broadshaw for this one!.

#SILENTBUTDEADLY: This classic moment from ITC'S 'THE MUPPET SHOW' and Vincent Price's guest appearance. Much to Vinnie's horror, Kermit goes for the jugular. Many thanks to Ebony Hamilton, for reminding us about this moment. It's a great shame that neither Peter OR Christopher Lee go an invite to appear on the show, but Vincent Price, was a natural choice and a real hoot!
#vincentprice #themuppets

#SILENTBUTDEADLYWEDNESDAY: AND FINALLY.. Mary Nichols from New York as requested the above GIF, explaining she had an idea that we had posted this GIF previously, but thought that it would have been long deleted. Well, here's the good news, here is the GIF you mentioned Mary, reposted for you. BUT, the original post WILL BE STILL UP here at this website. We NEVER delete past posts, photographs or features. You'll see we have a SEARCH BOX at the top right of this site, and all you have to do is enter in the KEY WORDS 'Peter Cushing From Beyond The Grave'..and this and many other posts will be loaded up onto your screen. So, easy to find, and you truly will never miss a thing we have posted over the last SEVEN YEARS! Thanks Mary! MORE REQUESTED GIFS, NEXT WEDNESDAY! #petercushing #frombeyondthegrave #amicusfilms

JOIN US FRIDAY FOR OUR WEEKLY FRIDAY THEMED POST DAY: #FRANKENSTEINFRIDAY! EVERYTHING IT SAYS ON THE BANNER. NOW IN IT'S SIXTH YEAR!

Tuesday, 25 April 2017

#TOOCOOLTUESDAY: VINCENT PRICE PETER CUSHING : THE MAN WHO HATED SCENES

#MONSTERMONDAY: 'The Price of Fear' was a horror come mystery radio serial, that was produced by BBC Radio during the 1970s. The host and star of the show was Vincent Price. This episode, The Man Who Hated Scenes, stars Vincent Price and Peter Cushing who relate a chilling tale of a meek millionaire taking subtle revenge on his cheating wife. The script was dramatized by William Ingram, produced by John Diaz (based on the story by Robert Arthur) a Dianna Olson, and Steve Preston also starred.

Monday, 24 April 2017

#MONSTERMONDAY: PAUL BERESFORD AND HIS CYBERNAUGT REVENGE!

#MonsterMonday: What a REAL smoothy this character was. Cushing's Paul Beresford, was the brother of Clement Armstrong, (see 'The Cybernauts' episode 1966) played by Michael Gough, the creator of the Cybernauts. He blames Steed and Mrs. Peel for his brother's death at the cold hands of his own creation. Aided by Armstrong's assistant Benson, he abducts several scientists who are blackmailed into producing a new batch of Cybernauts. Whilst he is the perfect gentleman towards Mrs. Peel, his aim is to turn her and Steed into human robots. It's a firm fan favourite, Cushing is at the top of his game in this performance, Beresford is a clever and manipulative genius, but is he also a madman and this week's MONSTER? You decide!