PETERCUSHINGBLOG.BLOGSPOT.COM (PCASUK)

Friday 8 September 2017

#FRANKENSTEINFRIDAY! : NEWORK UNVEILS BLU RAY COVER AND CUSHING ON CHRISTOPHER LEE'S LIFE

#FRANKENSTEINFRIDAY!: Just a reminder that NETWORK releases their much awaited blu ray box set of the popular Hammer house of Horror tv series next month. They have just released details of the release along with the cover and slip case design. What do you think? I am sure you know that Peter Cushing is included in the series, in weird little tale called, 'Silent Scream' . .. you'll never see your local pet shop in in the same way ever again!

'This star-studded anthology from Hammer Films presents thirteen unforgettable tales of spine-chilling terror. Reimagining classic Hammer themes in a contemporary British setting and signalling a new direction for the legendary film studio under the aegis of producer Roy Skeggs, the series blends the supernatural with a very modern horror – from hauntings and demonic possessions to sinister incarcerations and cannibalism...

REVIEW AND GALLERY : HERE!

A huge hit on its first ITV transmission, Hammer House of Horror boasts a consistently high-calibre cast including Peter Cushing, Diana Dors, Denholm Elliott, Brian Cox and Sian Phillips. The complete series is featured here for the first time in a stunning new High Definition restoration from the original film elements in its as-transmitted fullscreen aspect ratio.'

#FRANKENSTEINFRIDAY! Here's a treat, Peter Cushing's guest appearance on Christopher Lee's 'This Is Your Life' show, in 1974. Peter is charming, Lee is shocked! A BIG thank you is in order as this clip comes courtesy of the Christopher Lee Facebook Fan Page 🙂 You didn't know there was one??? Well, I've include a link here, for you to pop along, show your support and say hi! It's the only regularly updated facebook page on Lee, and their admin, is the most charming and obliging young lady...plus she posts some quite rare and excellent stuff! They have a youtube channel too! CHRISTOPHERLEEFANPAGE HERE!

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 . . Keep The Memory Alive!. The Peter Cushing Appreciation Society website, facebook fan page and youtube channel are managed, edited and written by Marcus Brooks, PCAS coordinator since 1979. PCAS is based in the UK and USA

NEWS: HAMMER ANNOUNCES NEW FEATURE FILM FOR 2018 AND VINTAGE READING OF DRACULA WITH COMIC STRIP!

#THROWBACKTHURSDAY! : Using a recording made in 1966, here is an extract recording of Christopher Lee reading Stokers Dracula...obviously from a time, when he didn't get so prickly about the subject. It's nicely done, with music and a charming comic strip visual.. a weird period setting though? It's drawn by a US artist, I am sure... The whole thing is available on 'the TUBE', should you want some more.... You LIKE???

NEWS: FILMNATION ENTERTAINMENT TO FULLY FINANCE THE LODGE, THE FIRST ENGLISH LANGUAGE FILM FROM GOODNIGHT MOMMY DIRECTORS VERONIKA FRANZ AND SEVERIN FIALA. LEGENDARY GENRE LABEL HAMMER FILMS TO PRODUCE.

FilmNation Entertainment announced today that they have acquired rights to finance acclaimed directors Veronika Franz’s and Severin Fiala’s THE LODGE. FilmNation will handle international sales and will co-represent the US sale with WME Global.

The screenplay was written by Sergio Casci, Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala, from an original idea by Sergio Casci. Franz and Fiala (GOODNIGHT MOMMY) will direct as their first English language film. Hammer Films’ Simon Oakes and Marc Schipper are producing. Casting is currently underway and principal photography is set to begin in January.

FilmNation VP, Production & Acquisitions Brad Zimmerman brought the project in and will oversee on behalf of the company, and Aliza James is overseeing the project and executive producing for Hammer.

THE LODGE tells the story of a young woman and her new stepchildren who are menaced by a terrifying supernatural force while spending Christmas in their remote cabin. “We couldn’t be happier to be working with Hammer and FilmNation on our first English language film. As genre filmmakers, we are incredibly excited to add our movie to the Hammer canon, and FilmNation has demonstrated time and again bold decisions in choosing which films and filmmakers to back. With both of these companies behind us, we feel the support to make the movie as we see it in our heads, and we are excited to be moving forward,” said Franz and Fiala.

“When we saw Veronika and Severin’s extraordinarily chilling and super smart first film GOODNIGHT MOMMY, we knew Sergio’s story was the perfect project to bring to them for their English language debut, and we have loved every minute of developing the project with the three of them. We are now absolutely thrilled that FilmNation have come on board to help make the film a reality. They are a hugely savvy outfit with a great track record of supporting creative filmmakers who make bold and distinctive quality films. From our very first conversations about the project, it was clear that FilmNation absolutely understood the film we’re all setting out to make, and we very much look forward to working with them to bring our collective vision to the screen,” said Hammer Films.

“We’re so excited to see Veronika and Severin’s style and wit applied to this mesmerizing story. We have ideal partners in Hammer and look forward to disturbing and thrilling audiences worldwide,” said FilmNation Entertainment Co-Heads of Production & Acquisitions Aaron Ryder and Ben Browning.

The deal was brokered with Hammer Films and WME Global by FilmNation’s Ryder and Browning and EVP Business & Legal Affairs Alison Cohen.

Wednesday 6 September 2017

#SILENTBUTDEADLYWEDNESDAY! : LEE PLAYS WICKED : RIPPER PLAYS MIPPS : CUSHING PLAYS EVIL

#SILENTBUTDEADLYWEDNESDAY!: I GUESS, if you had to quickly come up with a list of what one would consider to be, Christopher Lee's FIVE most wicked roles, Dracula would be in there. So, would Rochefort from the 'Three Musketeers' and maybe Fu Manchu. But, I doubt if many would count or include this chap, Professor James Hildern from the 1973 film, 'The Creeping Flesh'. 'Flesh' also starred Peter Cushing, as his Lee's half brother, Emmanual and unlike many of the roles that he played in a rash of British horror movies through out the 1960's and early 70's, Lee's James Hildern is a villain, thankfully, with a cause! Jealously and ambition. Hildern didn't just push obstacles aside, he cold bloodidly crushed them.

If you though the chemistry of 'Cushing hero' versus 'Lee's black hearted monster' was magic, then 'Cushing weak and tortured' versus 'Lee merciless and Machiavellian' is a test tube, that holds a chemical reaction that gave both actors, the opportunity to really pull out the stops. Whether slaughtering and torturing patients in his care, or turning the thumbscrews on his poor half sibling, Lee is wonderfully wicked. It's a film, that has over the years sadly snuck past the notice of many a Brit Gothic horror fan. To have enjoyed the classic cinematic teamings of Cushing and Lee, watched their Hammer horrors and their Amicus adventures, but then to have never seen this Tigon tale of terror.... you have missed out on one of their best.... and that's just wicked! Requested by Alan Goodfield. UK.

#SILENTBUTDEADLYWEDNESDAY!: A SET UP from Hammer films, 'The Evil of Frankenstein' that Peter Cushing, no doubt enjoyed blocking and performing. All appearing like one continuous shot, but really three edits. And just how did they get that spilled acid to stop, just short of Cushing's forelock, like that???

#SILENTBUTDEADLYWEDNESDAY! : THERE IS AN obvious comment or question to ask about this shot, but I'll avoid it here and instead, let's focus on why David Meredith from the UK requested this shot as one of this weeks #GIFS. The role of Coffin maker, Jeremiah Mipps, in Hammer films, 'Night Creatures' / 'Captain Clegg' (1962) was actually a character role that Ripper was quite proud of. In a PCAS interview in 1981, he told us his most favorite role for Hammer films, was Longbarrow in 'The Mummy's Shroud', but 'Clegg' gave him the opportunity to try something a little different. When given the chance Ripper was a great character actor. Michael Ripper holds the record for being the single actor, who appeared in more Hammer productions, than any other.

#SILENTBUTDEADLYWEDNESDAY! : JUDY GEESON staggers into a chilling secret, at the school where all isn't what it seems. Peter Cushing's Headmaster, Michael Carmichael is in a class...of his own, in Hammer films, 'FEAR IN THE NIGHT' (1972).

#TOOCOOLTUESDAY! COMPETITION WINNER AND ROLL OUT OF NEW PCAS COMPETITION VINTAGE PRIZES!

#TOOCOOLTUESDAY! CONGRATULATIONS to JENNY ALLAN the winner of our SHE Peter Cushing Autographed photo prize!! A very popular competition. Many thanks to everyone who took part and entered 🙂 There will be quite a few comps between now and Christmas here at PCAS. Lots of opportunities to win yourself a signed photograph of Peter and much more besides. Again, CONGRATS to JENNY and thank you all for your support..!

#TOOCOOLTUESDAY: PCAS ROLLS OUT VINTAGE PRIZES! MARCUS BROOKS: 'When I took over the reigns of PCAS back in 1979, I also purchased the entire PCAS collection from PCAS secretary Gladys Fletcher, who founded the society, upon Peter Cushing's request back in 1956. Many of the items in the collection we have doubles and triples of. All of these 'vintage collectables' came through Peter himself to the society, so they could be used in the posted members journals and newsletters. Everything we have multiple sets of or doubles, I am now offering up as prizes, for you to win !! There are press books, lobby sets, individual stills. No copies or reprints. Most come with stipes or press info from the time. As well as those vintage memorabilia prizes, there are dvds and blu rays, collectable magazines, original contact sheets from Peter Cushing films . .. a LOT of items, so lots of prizes, some of which will be bundled. I am sure we are going to have a lot of fun together, me compiling competitions, and you cracking those Cushing questions and puzzles. It's going to be a busy time here between now and Christmas, so hang in there, stay in the loop and join in the fun..and good luck'

Tuesday 5 September 2017

#MONSTERMONDAY! REMEMBERING DAVID PEEL AND HIS BARON WITH BITE!

#MONSTERMONDAY! Marking DAVID PEEL'S passing today, we present this vintage Italian (?) cinema poster for Hammer films, 'The Brides of Dracula' starring Peter Cushing as Van helsing, David Peel as Baron Meinster and the beautiful Yvonne Monlaur as Christina... It's a pretty neat poster, I think. So effective with so little, two colour and broad representation of the characters...with the voltage up on sex appeal as well as the fantasy...or are they the same thing??? Either way, this poster is one of my all time favs. What do you think?

#MONSTERMONDAY: TODAY we remember actor DAVID PEEL who we sadly lost on this day in 1981. There are few who have made such an impact as Peel. He only appeared in ONE film for Hammer films and I believe only appeared in one film with Peter Cushing. ONLY ONE ROLE, one film and yet, enter VAMPIRE HAMMER into google images, and he will appear in most of the pages. Despite the success long after The Brides of Dracula was made...audiences felt a little cheated that it was a DRACULA film, without Dracula!....

I suspect that Peel wasn't impressed with either the film or the subject matter. An unhappy man, with troubles and issues. You probably know, he left the industry early on and went into antiques and real estate, but life for Peel was certainly difficult. We remember him today though, for that one Hammer film and the impressive performance as Baron Meinster, the boy vampire who certainly pushed the boundaries of vampire film!

#MONSTERMONDAY! Here I've have scanned, TWO lobby cards you rarely see today, featuring David Peel. . .one from the UK set and the other from the US set. Both are tinted sets and quite rare!