KINO FLESH AND THE FIENDS BLU RAY WITH EXTRAS PLUS VINTAGE HAMMER POSTERS FOR SALE! BUT HOW MUCH ARE THEY WORTH?

#WATCHWITHCUSHING! We all know that vintage and original press and promotion materials for much of #PeterCushing's 1950's and 60's films are now worth a pretty penny. If they also hold an autograph the value is even higher! Here in this clip at the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE! are TWO superb examples. Just for FUN . . BEFORE you watch this clip of these posters being sold, I would like you to comment on the post and tell me how much YOU think both the 1958 '#Dracula' UK #cinema quad poster, in pretty good condition and the almost mint 1965 Amicus 'Dr Terror's House of Horrors' UK cinema poster, could individually be worth? Write your figure in the comment section on the page BEFORE you watch this clip 😉No cheating 😏😊 I guess you can always state that the price of what something is #worth, is really . . how much someone is willing will pay? 💰💰😲But at FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE, in this clip . .  they are prepared to pay A LOT! This clip is around four years old, so chances these #posters are worth even more today! Have fun, stay safe and look after each other- Marcus 😉

AN UPDATE ON THE KINO BLU RAY release of 'FLESH AND THE FIENDS' is that the things are still set for JULY 7th 2020 AND that this John Gilling directed, based on a true story 2K restoration will also be carrying some extras too!

'THE FLESH AND THE FIENDS'

Starring Peter Cushing, Donald Pleasence, June Laverick, Billie Whitelaw, George Rose, Renee Houston and Dermot Walsh – Shot by Monty Berman (Jack the Ripper, The Crawling Eye) – Music by Stanley Black (War-Gods of the Deep, Valentino) – Co-written by Leon Griffiths (The Grissom Gang, The Squeeze) – Co-written and Directed by John Gilling (The Reptile, The Plague of the Zombies).

THIS RELEASE IS COMING AS A TWO DISC package, because not only do you get the 2k RESTORATION BLU RAY but there's also a FULL ALTERNATIVE CUT which also carries the USA title of 'The Fiendish Ghouls' and 'Mania'. You would be forgiven for thinking, that maybe Amicus films producer, MAX ROSENBERG, may have had a dabble and offered for free with one of his OTT titles at their press office too? Not so. . . .

OVER THE YEARS, there have been quite a few different cuts made available on the home cinema market. Right now, there is a DVD available from Image Entertainment who list their running duration for the "uncut" original theatrical version at 94 minutes, but they also carry a slightly extended, wait for it . .  "Continental" version—produced only for European markets with more permissive, boob and bottom nodding censors— running at 95 minutes which includes extra shots, short sequences or alternative takes with more nudity. 'THE FLESH AND THE FIENDS' was released by Valiant in the USA using the titles 'MANIA' and 'PSYCHO KILLERS' . . .  (Guess which box office smashing Hitchcock film was released also in 1960)  . . . using the censored British theatrical cut, but it didn't stop there... FIVE years later in 1965 a re-release by Pacemaker Pictures under the title 'THE FIENDISH GHOULS' cut a whole 23 minutes from the film's runtime! Both the UK and the continental cut of the film are included in the KINO BLU RAY RELEASE!

ALSO INCLUDED in thus release is an 'Audio Commentary by Film Historian Tim Lucas'. Disc Two also includes the 1960  theatrical TRAILER for 'THE FLESH AND THE FIENDS' I am not sure how many 'units' of this film have been  produced for sale, but those smiling after awaiting a long while for this remastering and would like to guarantee a copy of this gem to your library shelf, now might be a good time to nail that order 😊- Marcus 

SEE OUR POST FIRST at the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE! NOW  and LATER EXPANDED here at the PCASUK website / Blog! Join and be part of  the FAN PAGE with OVER 33 THOUSAND FOLLOWERS and FRIENDS you won't be on your own and you will be MOST WELCOME!  Come COMMENT, come CHAT and come KEEP THE MEMORY of Peter Cushing alive and celebrated! 

JAMES BOND : SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE SNL : DRACULA COMPLETE AND TERRIFYING!

#CHRISTOPHERLEE Saturday! HERE AT the PCASUK BLOG and the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE it has been our tradition and habit most weekends to make Saturday's a day to celebrate one of #PeterCushing's closest friends, #ChristopherLee. And so today, over at the FACEBOOK FAN PAGE we have posted a rarely seen little gem of a an interview where Lee is very relaxed, full of stories and keen to promote a video which was being released that day, 'The Many Faces of Christopher Lee'. In fact, he mentions he is off to a HMV store in Manchester UK to do some sales and signings!

HEY MAYBE,  you were there too? Lots to hear here. Bond, Dracula and some more than usual about his time hosting the US tv show, 'Saturday Night Live' where Steven Spielberg was in the audience that night, and it opened a new and great opportunity for Lee!

#CHRISTOPHERLEE SATURDAY! There are still many fans I know... who have not had the chance to see this. For those of you who aren't that familiar with this film, the ending will probably seem great and a cool dramatic climax. For others, it's the result of over 40 years of waiting, for several extra shots, that some believed existed, others not so, but impossible for both to prove.. until now! The facts behind the story of how these extras shots were eventually found, is legend in itself and it's all down to an amazing guy, writer and cartoonist Simon Rowson, who succeeded where everyone else failed. Without him and his determination, we would not be watching this right now Maybe the greatest of all Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee's scenes for Hammer films? Listen out for Dracula footsteps! YOU can catch this post along with MANY others over at the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE TODAY!😃 Enjoy! Take care everyone and have a safe weekend - Marcus 😉

ST GEORGE'S DAY: OBE THANKS TO SCOONESY SFX AND NOW THE SCREAMNGS STARTS!

TODAY'S #WATCHWITHCUSHING #FACEBOOKWATCHPARTY feature is the 1973 Amicus film, ''AND NOW, THE SCREAMING STARTS!' CLICK the blue link and JOIN and ENJOY the party, which will be LIVE from 10.00pm GMT today! 

IT WAS THE ONLY time when Hammer films, main competitor, Amicus, stepped into the same domain and era . . gothic and ghost story. Producers Subotsky and Rosenberg knew the way to save money that would easily be one of their main money pits, was keep the sets and locations, contemporary. Hammer were very good at recycling their sets and props, wizard set designer Bernard Robinson found a way to present what was an impressive studio lot structure as Caste Dracula one day . . and as a 1910 boat harbour in down town Hong Kong in the next! Amicus based their films in simple close contemporary settings. So close that, the seating was often still warm from the cast and crew who had commissioned and worked on that set. In the green room the coffee in the pot, was also still warm! Amicus were, cheap. Cheap as chips in fact. 

SYNOPSIS!

'This creepy, atmospheric horror film from England's Amicus Productions dispenses with much of the tongue-in-cheek presentation of their popular '70s horror anthologies (such as Asylum and Dr. Terror's House of Horrors) in favor of a more adult-oriented approach. The story begins in the 18th century, as a young stable hand tries to prevent nobleman Fengriffen (Herbert Lom) from raping a young servant girl -- who happens to be the stable hand's wife -- and for this transgression has his hand lopped off. Flash forward to the present, where Fengriffen's ancestor (Ian Ogilvy) and his wife (Stephanie Beacham), now living on the ancestral estate, are haunted by the servant's vengeful spirit, as well as the severed hand itself, which roams the gloomy corridors of the mansion.'

DIRECTOR FREDDIE FRANCIS often went on record stating he didn't know which was more lacking foundations or structure, the sets or the scripts! But, somehow, it more often than not, worked.. and worked very well. 'AND NOW, THE SCREAMINGS STARTS!'' released in 1973, directed by Roy ward Baker and starring Peter Cushing, Stephanie Beacham and Ian Ogily looks better then than your average Amicus film. all the exteriors were shot on location at . . Hammer's 'Brides of Dracula' and many others. . Oakley Court in Windsor, interiors at Shepperton studios, where for one time, they actually built their OWN set. Much camera time is spent mind you, showing it off!

I VERY MUCH LIKE this film, I love the Amicus 'wandering hand' featured in at least three other of their films, it worked for its keep! I love Peter's hair too, which was also made to earn it's rental turning up in two other Cushing projects, 'Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell', 'Orson Wells Great Mysteries' . . I have no idea why or how Cushing managed to get Subotsky to pay for it... and again on the subject of wonga, the screen time of the top-billed stars Peter Cushing, Herbert Lom and Patrick Magee does not exceed 28, 11 and five minutes, respectively. Subotsky was a master tailor and certainly cut the cloth, even though sometimes he 'passed on the buttons'  . .

HAPPY ST GEORGE'S DAY! Saint George is the patron saint of England noted and celebrated with legendary stories of his slaying a dragon and saving a distressed maiden.... Peter Cushing loved history, collected books, made model knights, created 'little wars' gaming props, pageantry figures, reproducing the flags and anything connected with connections or reference this era. He adored this whole time period, with chivalry, knights and medieval castles. He loved appearing in films set in these times too and always very much looked the part! Peter made reference to St George when he was awarded with his 'Order Of the British Empire' medal (OBE) back in 1989. Many at the time, thought he deserved more, Christopher Lee made a point of saying, 'It was too little, too late', he too should have been awarded a knighthood!' Maybe? But for Peter Cushing it was one of his most proudest moments. ..

Footnote: The whole process of the awards and honours takes years . . it often starts with an OBE and travels up, if you have been very active in charity work and / or good deeds. Lee was right, it was too late, but Peter's humbleness could sometimes be his undoing, he often challenged such ideas as 'too much fuss'. You have to be 'officially suggested' for such honours, and it always surprises me, who in fact kick started Peter's OBE application. Not a close friend, a well connected individual, business person or perosn in 'the know'.... it was Ian Scoones, special effects guy for Hammer films, worked on Dr Who, Blake's Seven and many many others films and tv shows uncredited . . living in French at the time. Back in the late 50's /1960's Peter had helped get him a job at Bray studios, he was a young lad and learnt his skills at trade with Les Bowie, who managed the SFX company who delivered most of the FX's for Hammer and other British companies. Ian stuck at it and pushed for the application and without him, Peter would not have been awarded anything . .

TO MANY IAN SCOONES is a name that would be associated with film and television special effects, working with the LES BOWIE Special Effects team and at the BBC. TV shows like the Hammer House of Horror show, Dr Who. Films like 1984, Thunderbirds working for Hammer films Bray studios, many films in which Peter Cushing appeared like, Frankenstein Created Woman, She, Night Creatures. Ian graduated from the Medway College of Art in 1960 and finding himself without employment, made some inquiries to Peter Cushing, who he had been a fan of, since he was a child. Cushing, in turn after meeting Ian, was instrumental in helping him gain employment with Les Bowie . . and the rest as they say, is history.

IT WAS SOMETHING THAT IAN NEVER FORGOT, that had Peter not helped him on his way, he may never have got a foot in the door, let alone employment, in such a competitive area. It was Ian's idea to sponsor the application, for Peter to be award an OBE, an 'Order of the British Empire' Medal, awarded by the Queen and government of the day, for services to the entertainment industry . . . Here for the first time on this page, is the actual letter that Ian received from the Prime Minister's office, telling him, that Peter Cushing was to be award the OBE . . . quite an achievement! Peter Cushing was extremely surprised and very humbled to receive the news of his award and Ian Scoones made all that possible! From 1994, Ian lived in retirement, first in Spain, then in Bulgaria, where he died on January 20th 2010, aged of 69.

TRIVIA: St George is also mentioned in Bram Stoker's novel, Dracula ' In the first chapter, the ill-fated Jonathan Harker is on his way to Count Dracula’s home, and has arrived in Romania on a very auspicious day. “Do you know what day it is?” asks the landlady at Bistritz. “It is the eve of St George’s Day. Tonight, when the clock strikes midnight, all evil things in the world will have full sway.” Needless to say, things didn't really get much better for Jonathan, from there onwards! 😄  Happy St George's Day! Please Stay Safe Everyone! - Marcus

 PLEASE COME JOIN US at the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE TODAY!

RICHARD E GRANT THE INSPIRATION FOR GENERAL PRYDE AND A SELECTION OF CHOICE BLU RAY AND DVD CASES

A VERY POPULAR POST AT the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE! right now. I wonder if any of you missed this message from actor Richard E Grant last year too? How wonderful for Peter Cushing to still be inspiring others, '..in his moment of triumph' 😉 The 'HEAD in the BOX' here is the amazing bust figure of Cushing's Tarkin, by Californian based sculptor Jordu Schell. It still stands as an amazing work of art!

AT THE FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE TODAY, I asked our friends and followers, how many of them have a collection of #PeterCushing DVD's or Blu Rays. The answers of YES or No, came flooding, which paved the way for our next post today, 'Can You Tell Us YOUR favourite TOP THREE covers to your Cushing Blu Rays, DVD's or even VHS or BETA  releases'. Everyone was asked to maybe send in selfies of the covers, so everyone could enjoy and identify their choices too! It's a post that is slowly growing, right now. The choices have been interesting, with everything from the Final Cut blu ray 'Captain Clegg and the dvd 'The Abominable Snowman' to the Second Sight twin release of 'The House That Dripped Blood' and  'Asylum' limited editions to covers featured on the front of lesser known European releases! This is how the feature was kick-started . . .

"I KNOW MOST OF YOU out there have told me today, you are the proud owners of several gems of #PeterCushing dvd's, #blurays and even #VHS films. Some of you have just started collecting, others have been adding 'case by case' to that series of sagging shelves or book cases for decades. . ." 

WELL, THIS ISN'T ABOUT the quality of the film INSIDE, this is all about and focusing on that little extra value you expect these days, when you purchase the release. The COVER DESIGN! It's no longer enough for distributors to just slap a 30 - 50 year old #cinema poster on the front of the case. We want something that looks amazing! So, from your private collection, be it blu ray, dvd or indeed VHS or Beta box, show us your THREE favourite Cushing film cases designs. It's your choices, for whatever reason, but I would love to know why you made those choices? 😊Take a #selfie or pic or even use ads or promo posts of the cases covers, it's your choice. #JUSTTHREE!"
 

ABOVE : A SECTION FROM THE FEATURE ON THE FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE 'I do not know the other cases of releases. I am guessing both are collections and compilations. Someone did send me scans of the sleeves though a while ago now. I do like the gamble of lesser known distributors releases though. They take more risks with their case sleeve designs, usually working with limited resource visuals. The one on the far left looks like they didn't have the resource to check what they had to work with, so flipped the lovely colour photograph of Peter. A habit some of the tabloid UK newspapers and magazines still have a annoying knack of doing, based on the weird rule of things looking into the spine of the pages!! So buttons on coats along with breast pockets, facial moles and hair partings are the wrong way around!' 

FINALLY ABOVE! I'll throw this one in, just because it's quite rare that a vintage #PeterCushing film gets the whole 'triple treat-treament' : blu ray extras, restoration and #STEELBOOK package with #GrahamHumphries artwork cover! This was the work of Screenbound Films in #2016, who very generously donated TWO of these beauties for me to offer up as prizes in a promotional PCASUK #competition. I cried and waved goodbye, when they were packed and dropped into the sack at the post office, for our two very lucky winners!

NEWS : KINO RELEASES ARTWORK FOR BLU RAY CASE OF 1960 'FLESH AND THE FIENDS' AKA 'MANIAC' BLU RAY!

NEWS: KINO has released artwork design for their much awaited first time blu ray release of a great Peter Cushing1960 film, 'Flesh and the Fiends'! What do you think? This film comes with some extras, but for me, just the chance to see this often forgotten little gem, on blu ray is a plus enough! Produced in what promises to be quite an experience in black and white, it carries a fabulous cast of actors, Cushing, Donald Pleasence, Billy Whitelaw and George Rose all at the top of their game and all giving their best supported by brilliant John Gilling's screenplay and direction. It's OUT on July 7th 2020 and like most KINO CLASSICS releases will be a 'Region A' blu ray. Taking pre-orders now, this one will sell like hot-cakes!

THIS UNDER-VALUED corker, has been struggling around in a very depressing state of ratty, scratched and dusty prints for far too long, so the news of this well timed blu ray release is quite wonderful. . . and here gem of a clip to show you why! Cushing was a master at such scenes as this one. If you like his turn in the 'Tongue slapping of the crusty and opinionated aged residents' in Hammer films, 1969 'Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed'... you'll LIKE this clip which can be found at the =FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE TODAY! . . ! 😊Stay Well AND Dandy Everyone 😉 - Marcus

ABOVE : THE PCASUK FULL FEATURE AND STILLS GALLERY RIGHT HERE!

ALERT! SUPERB NEW BOOK PUBLISHED AND WAITING FOR ITS PLACE IN YOUR COLLECTION PLUS VINCENT AND THE MONSTER MASH PLUS 'BASKERVILLES' PART TWO!

FOLLOWING OUR POST of #VincentPrice singing of 'When Day Is Done' last week, this prompted quite a few messages at the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE requesting this little ditty! Vincent sings, ladies dance and with some neat editing it works! Released back in 1977, this almost laid the path for a certain hit to come maybe? Vincent was far from the only one to record his own version of this 1962, Bobby 'Boris' Pickett hit. #TheBeachBoys, The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, Zacherle the Cool Ghoul and #TheMisfits also had a go. Even with the amazing Leon Russell providing the piano breaks on Pickett's recording, the BBC failed to see the funny side and banned the song for being ‘too morbid.’ in 62! You can catch VP and his 'Monster Mash'  at the PCASUk Fan Page : HERE!

HERE'S WHAT I WILL be spending my pocket money on tomorrow 😲 . . and if you love the work of #VincentPrice and are also interested in finding out about what made him tick and his time in the UK . . . . . you will too! I NEED a GOOD read and this one I know will be that and more! LOVE the cover art, Mark 😉

#VincentLeonardPrice JUNIOR DIED ON on 25 October 1993 from lung cancer, and complications of emphysema and Parkinson’s disease. His death left family, friends and fans with a great sense of loss, especially in Britain where The Times' obituary described him as ‘the king of modern horror movies.’ Price was significantly influential in Britain. When American International Pictures, who Price was under contract with, established a base in London in the sixties, most of his subsequent movies were made in the UK. His British output consolidated his popularity among fans, and provided him with many career defining performances.

THIS BOOK EXPLORES the British films of Vincent Price. From 'Masque of the Red Death' and 'The Tomb of Ligeia', through 'The Abominable Doctor Phibes' and 'Theatre of Blood', to 'The Monster Club' and 'Edward Scissorhands', author Mark Iveson leaves no stone unturned in his love and appreciation of Price’s work. A fascinating tribute to a man who can never be equalled or replaced.

YOU CAN ONLY ORDER YOUR COPY OF VINCENT PRICE : THE BRITISH CONNECTION: HERE! 

PRAISE FOR MARK IVESON'S PREVIOUS BOOK

 'CURSED HORROR STARS'

‘Fascinating and authoritative.’ 

The Consulting Detective

'A literate and pacey read. Informative and well researched.’

Amazon Reviewer

'Film stars and icons we all thought we knew! Who knew

they were so much more besides? Mark Iveson did!'

Marcus Brooks UK Peter Cushing Appreciation Society

OUR #WATCHWITHCUSHING! TODAY is PART TWO of 'The Hound of the Baskerville's' starring #PeterCushing and Nigel Stock as #SherlockHolmes and #DrWatson . .RIGHT NOW in our WATCH PARTY at the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE.   IF you have any requests of things you would like to see posted here during our 'lock-down' #WatchingWithCushing, please let me know!, and I will try my best to share it at the Facebook PCASUK Fan Page. . . . Please keep safe and look after one another 😉Marcus

JOIN US FOR POSTS EVERY DAY AT THE FACEBOOK OFFICIAL

 PCASUK FAN PAGE!

PART ONE OF 'BASKERVILLES' AND VINCENT PRICE INTERVIEW 1973

#WATCHWITHCUSHING! . . 'Can you hear GROWLING' ? For your weekend, and continuing our Peter Cushing Sherlock Holmes posts, over at the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE is Part One of a classic. Said by many to be the best of the BBC Cushing series. You think? We all know the ending, but it's a LOT of fun getting there 😃I'll be posting and sharing Part Two tomorrow!

HERE'S AN INTERVIEW shot back in 1973, when both #PeterCushing and #VincentPrice were busy making the AIP Amicus films, 'Madhouse'. This section of the interview, was shot by the #BBC tv show 'Film Night 74' also contained a longer section with both #PeterCushing and Price. This is a separate piece with just Vincent. Always good value for the lolly, VP starts with self-depreciation, slips in about six jokes and even ends with gallows humour! 😆 I have never seen a dull interview with Vincent Price..and you can catch this one today, at the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE take care and stay safe, 😉- Marcus

CLICK HERE  TO FIND TWO GREAT RARE PHOTO GALLERIES of behind the sceneson the VINCENT PRICE and PETER CUSHING AIP Amicus films 'MADHOUSE'. Below TWO PCASUK promo banners during the launch of the galleries on our socila media platforms . .