IT'S A SAD GOODBYE TO NETWORK DVD : FINE PURVEYORS OF NOSTALGIA CLASSIC BRITISH TELEVISION AND CINEMA

BRITISH FILM and TV distribution company #NetworkDVD has reportedly going into liquidation... this is a terrible blow, not just to those out there who collect all vintage television and rare films. It also ultimately brings in the question, who now will take over the opportunity? 

 

THE NETWORK ARCHIVE of material and releases, is huge and most of it, not available on any of the current streaming services. This will be leaving a major gap in the physical media landscape, also it's very sad news indeed, for thousands of lovers of rare or impossible to find vintage, retro film and television dvd and blu rays. A niche market, but one that has thrived for many years, with Network at the forefront. 

 

 

NETWORK, has released thousands of films, sitcoms and television dramas that would otherwise never have seen the light of day. The quality of their prints, were always to a very high standard, unless they told you so, for sure. Their packaging and presentation, made them the only such media company who could compete with, Indicator / Powerhouse, in the UK market. Network, was one of the first companies to include unseen and exclusive extras on their then VHS releases.

 

THE FIRST UK RELEASE of the 1975 Peter Cushing / Milton Subotsky Canadian film, 'The Uncanny', included rare and fabulous extras that included a news report of raw footage, from Peter Cushing's private 80th Birthday Party, recovered from a region ITV News programme, also raw unedited interview footage of a 1968 TV interview... was very much appreciated by Cushing fans. The two disc release of 'Orson Welles Great Mysteries', a 1973-4 Anglia television series, starring a huge range of TV and film stars, including Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Denholm Elliott, Susannah York, had a limited VHS release in Europe, then lay in a vault in Spain for decades, until Network sourced it, cleaned it and released it with some fine extras too. 

 

NETWORK'S, 'The Avengers' and 'New Avengers' three episodes featuring THE CYBERNAUT with Steed / Patrick McNee and Mrs Peel / Diana Rigg and Purdy /Joanna Lumley, along with Michael Gough and Peter Cushing, was a terrific package, with pretty neat CLIPS MONTAGE was great marketing too. There have been many, many others, the appearance of which, we will now, most certainly miss. 

 

SO FINALLY, and certainly due is a personal thank you, comes from PCASuk too. For the last ten years, they have generously proved copies of all their Peter Cushing releases for your competition prizes and supported the society, with kindness and generosity. Thank you, I am going to miss you. We are ALL going to miss you. - marcus

 

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 co-ordinator since 1979. PCASuk is based in the UK,  but open to everyone, whoever, where ever, YOU are!

YOU MAY WANT TO KEEP A SPARE SEAT GUEST AT THE PARTY AS PCASUK CELEBRATES CHRISTOPHER LEE'S 101st BIRTHDAY TODAY

'One day I thought "Wouldn't it be nice to have a life-size Christopher Lee doll.", so I went looking' Colleen Crouch 

 

FOR DECADES NOW, the availability of items to be hunted, gained and added to the film fan, collector and archivist collection, has been expanding. A cinema poster of your favourite film, a soundtrack CD, a few lobby stills and press pack photographs, a genuine certificated prop, or maybe an 'accurate to the nostril hair, handcrafted and painted 12 inch action figure!' To own the autograph, is a much desired item, jotted down, by the person of your interest own, hand! Colleen Crouch, is dedicated to an ever expanding collection of all things of interest, connected to the great, Sir Christopher Lee! Though, one item is very special indeed.... and most impressive. Her Christopher Lee life-size, 6ft 4 inches, doll figure, is something you don't see very often, for sure. Settled in his armchair, Lee has been skilfully fashioned in the centuries old style, of a 'rag doll', the making of cloth fabric dolls, stretches back to ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire.

 

COLLEEN ALSO OWNS, several personal items in her collection, that once belonged to Lee and the fun figure, seemed like the next logical step. Since he arrived at her home in Central California, just a few weeks ago, Colleen has been busy adding very cool items to the figure's personal dress, to give him, that authentic touch. An Elephant Hide bracelet, that Lee wore for many, many years. His gold ring, and cufflinks, that are as near to Lee's own, as she could make it. The black suit, shoes, white shirt and red socks, tie and silk handkerchief, in the breast pocket, are all right on the right button, of Lee's style. I think this is a pretty fun fab figure and, certainly well illustrates, Colleen's sense of humour.

 

One day I thought, "Wouldn't it be nice to have a life-size Christopher Lee doll.", so I went looking & found a wonderful artist/craftswoman on Etsy. I described what I wanted & sent several photos for her to use. She kept me informed & sent photos of the work in progress. When he arrived, he was packed tight, like a baby waiting to be born; the unwrapping process was very exciting! It took a while to properly stretch him out after his journey & then decide on a pose, but I think that he turned out splendidly! - Colleen Crouch

 

 

'PEOPLE OFTEN SAY, they'd be scared to have him sitting at the foot of the bed, but I think, he's a great deal of fun!' Colleen told me. Sadly, I have to make do with my Chihuahua, Ru. Mind you, in the spooky half light at night, I think 'those eyes, that stare, is bad enough... and we are in BIG trouble, if there is teeth too, from either of them, I'd be under the duvet in a flash! 

 

MANY THANKS to Colleen for taking the time to take the photographs and sharing the opportunity, for us to all see her impressive figure.... on this day, of marking 101st Christopher's birthday! The Christopher Lee Rag Doll is made by artdollswatekedwata and you can find them HERE at ESTY Marcus  😀

 

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 co-ordinator since 1979. PCASuk is based in the UK,  but open to everyone, whoever, where ever, YOU are!

THE IRREPLACEABLE VINCENT PRICE : BORN TODAY 27TH MAY 1911

Remembering the legendary #VincentPrice who was born on

 this day in 1911.

 

 

THE MONTH OF MAY, for the classic fantasy film genre fan, makes for a busy time, especially if they have a fondness of the work and career's of #PeterCushing, #ChristopherLee and of course, #VincentPrice. All three actors share their birthdays by uncanny coincidence, in the month of May, Cushing the 26th and Lee and Price 27th! Not only did each of these actors have very a popular and successful CV of their own work in film, television and theatre, they also had, the opportunity and for our tastes, the good fortune to work together... and what a fine tapestry of terror, they wove! 

 

PETER CUSHING was cast in FOUR films with Price. In the 1970 Amicus film, 'Scream and Scream Again', Cushing didn't share the screen with Price. In fact, blink, and you'll miss Cushing in a role, that only lasted 3 mins and 11 seconds! Another guesting, blink and miss, was Cushing's Ship Captain in Price's 'Dr Phibes Rises Again' in 1972. Lee, however, did work with Price in not only 'Scream and Scream Again' but also The Oblong Box in 1969. 

 

ANOTHER AMICUS FILM, 'Madhouse' the script gave both Price and Cushing roles, where they more than familiar with, a writer and actor of a Horror film franchise, #DoctorDeath. It's one of my personal favs, with drama, mystery and a great punch up in the final, a flaming fire catastrophe and a clever twist. Their final film together also starred Christopher Lee, 'The House of the Long Shadows' in 1984. An excellent film where, for just one film, all three actors work and appear on the screen together! 

 

PART ONE OF THE MAKING OF THE HOUSE OF LONG SHADOWS 
CAN BE FOUND :  HERE! 

 

PART TWO OF THE MAKING OF THE HOUSE OF LONG SHADOWS 
CAN BE FOUND : HERE

 

AND THAT covers, the Vincent Price, Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee cinema connections. There isn't much else, I can say here, that hasn't already been said about the versatile Vinnie... Certainly a 'Man of the Arts', whose distinctive voice and excellent performances in fantasy films, made him a firm favourite for over 40 years! His career spanned other genres, including film noir, drama, mystery, thriller, and comedy.

 

HE IS STILL GREATLY MISSED and much celebrated, Vincent... a man and actor who could never be replaced. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Vincent Price!

 

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 co-ordinator since 1979. PCASuk is based in the UK,  but open to everyone, whoever, where ever, YOU are!

CELEBRATING PETER WILTON CUSHING BIRTHDAY TODAY : MAY 26TH 2023

 

ANOTHER YEAR and another opportunity to celebrate and mark the birthday of . . . Peter Cushing! Peter Wilton Cushing OBE born today May 26th 1913, in the town of Kenley, UK. For those who join us, for the first time today, you will find almost 13 years of posts, photographs, features, interviews, competitions and much more within our almost daily posts!

 

PETER CUSHING had a full and varied career, from theatre, to film in #Hollywood, to radio and a very successful career in television. Peter Cushing is maybe best known for his roles with the British horror and fantasy studios #Hammer and Amicus films, during the 50's 60's and 70's. In his career, he was fortunate to have the opportunity the make his mark and play some great and iconic roles, Baron Victor #Frankenstein, #VanHelsing in Hammer's #Dracula productions, the role of #SherlockHolmes on the big screen AND television. He also appeared in two feature film as #DrWho, fighting the legendary #Daleks. 

 

MAY 29th 1968: Peter and Christopher Lee on the set of DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE celebrate HAMMER FILMS winning The Queen's Award To Industry.

 

IN THE MID #70's when nearing retirement, Peter Cushing played the role of #GrandMoffTarkin in '#StarWars: A New Hope' (1977). Spanning over six decades, his acting career included appearances in more than 90 films. Today we mark his birthday, every day we celebrate his enormous talent and life! Help us celebrate today HERE and at the Peter Cushing Appreciation Society Facebook Fan Page UK, feel free to repost any of the three banners, made especially for today! - Marcus

 

I WAS SENT this earlier today at the PCASuk TWITTER ACCOUNT and was VERY happy to see who was 'trending' at over 4k for quite an extended time on Twitter today. UPDATE: 23.50pm gmt and Peter Cushing is STILL trending 😮👍- Marcus

 

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 co-ordinator since 1979. PCASuk is based in the UK,  but open to everyone, whoever, where ever, YOU are!