#SEVERIN BRINGS US THE BEST BAG OF BLU RAY CUSHING CURIOSITIES!

'Something for everybody! A fabulous mix of the unusual, strange, unexpected gems, entertaining... and all starring #PeterCushing  - Marcus Brooks - Peter Cushing Appreciation Society UK

 

RELEASE DATE: 17th October 2023

 

WATCH Severin Films EXCELLENT trailer HERE! 

 

Severin has announced a 6 Blu-ray box set called 'Cushing Curiosities' featuring 5 films and the surviving episodes of the BBC Sherlock Holmes TV series 

 

From Hammer Films to STAR WARS, he remains one of genre films’ best-loved actors. Now celebrate six of the most unexpected, rarely seen and decidedly curious performances from the legendary career of PETER CUSHING: Cushing delivers a rare villain turn in the 1960 aviation thriller CONE OF SILENCE. That same year, Cushing brought gentle dignity to The Boulting Brothers’ cold-war drama SUSPECT. In 1962’s THE MAN WHO FINALLY DIED, Cushing co-stars opposite Stanley Baker as a former Naz hiding a grave post-war secret. Cushing returns to his iconic role of SHERLOCK HOLMES in these six surviving episodes of the 1968 BBC-TV series. The oft-maligned 1971 shocker BLOODSUCKERS can now be reassessed for the first time in its Restored Extended Version. And Cushing portrays a vampire for the first and only time in 1974’s off-the-wall erotic comedy TENDER DRACULA, premiering here in its Director’s Cut. Each disc has been mastered from original vault elements with over 16 total hours of trailers, commentaries, vintage interviews, location features and more, plus the all-new 200-page book PETER CUSHING: A PORTRAIT IN SIX SKETCHES by award-winning horror film historian Jonathan Rigby. 

 

Disc 1: CONE OF SILENCE (1960)

In one of his rare villain roles – and hailed by the British Film Institute as one of his “10 Essential Films” – Peter Cushing stars as an arrogant pilot who attempts to undermine the investigation into the cause of an airline disaster. Oscar® winner George Sanders (PSYCHOMANIA), Oscar® nominee Michael Craig (TURKEY SHOOT), Elizabeth Seal (VAMPIRE CIRCUS), André Morell (THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES) and Bernard Lee (‘M’ in the James Bond films) co-star in “a film that still resonates today” (Shades of Gray) directed by former Hitchcock editor and Academy Award® nominee Charles Frend (THE CRUEL SEA) – released in America as TROUBLE IN THE SKY and inspired by true events – now featuring a new 2K scan from the dupe negative by the BFI and three hours of rare interviews, newsreels and more. 

 

Special Features:
Newsreel Of Peter Cushing And His Miniature Soldiers
Illustrated Audio Interviews
Peter Cushing On The Funster Show With Paul Carrington
The Guardian Interview With Peter Cushing
Peter Cushing Interviewed By Tony Dalton, Author Of Terence Fisher: Master Of Gothic Cinema
Cushing's View – 1973 Interview With Peter Cushing On Whitstable And His Late Wife Helen

 

Disc Specs:
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Audio: English Mono
Closed Captions
Region Free
Run time: 92 mins

 

Disc 2: SUSPECT (1960) & THE MAN WHO FINALLY DIED (1962)

 

Peter Cushing delivered two of his finest non-horror performances in these early ‘60s dramas: In SUSPECT, Peter Cushing leads a team of research biologists who may be plotting to sell government secrets to a foreign power. Donald Pleasence, Ian Bannen (IDENTIKIT) and Spike Milligan co-star in this “damn good thriller” (Shameless Self Expression) produced and directed by The Boulting Brothers (BRIGHTON ROCK). THE MAN WHO FINALLY DIED sees Cushing in one of his most sinister roles as the family friend of a jazz pianist (Stanley Baker) who uncovers a post-war conspiracy of suspicious deaths, switched identities and a shocking Nazi past. Mai Zetterling (THE WITCHES), and Nigel Green (THE SKULL) co-star in this stylish suspense thriller directed by Quentin Lawrence (THE TROLLENBERG TERROR), with both films scanned in 2K from the original negatives by Studio Canal.

 

Special Features:
Audio Commentary For SUSPECT With Jonathan Rigby, Author Of English Gothic, And Horror Historian Kevin Lyons
Audio Commentary For THE MAN WHO FINALLY DIED With Kim Newman, Author Of Anno Dracula, And Barry Forshaw, Author Of Brit Noir
 

Disc Specs:
Aspect ratio: 1.66:1 (Suspect) / 2.35:1 (The Man Who Finally Died)
Audio: English Mono
Closed Captions
Region A
Run time: 81 mins (Suspect) / 100 mins (The Man Who Finally Died)

 

 

Discs 3 & 4: SHERLOCK HOLMES (1968)

 

Having first portrayed the legendary detective for Hammer Films in 1959, Peter Cushing enthusiastically returned to the role of Sherlock Holmes for this 1968 BBC television series co-starring Nigel Stock (THE LOST CONTINENT) as Dr. Watson. Though most of the shows were forever lost, these six surviving episodes – including the two-part The Hound of The Baskervilles adapted by award-winning playwright Hugh Leonard – showcase Cushing at his elementary best, with guest stars that include Madge Ryan (A CLOCKWORK ORANGE), Ann Bell (THE WITCHES), Nick Tate (SPACE: 1999) and Gary Raymond (JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS). This definitive presentation of SHERLOCK HOLMES – which also includes the classic cases A Study in Scarlet, The Blue Carbuncle, The Boscombe Valley Mystery and The Sign of Four – is now scanned from BBC tape protection masters

 

Special Features:
Audio Commentaries For All Episodes Featuring Kim Newman, Author Of AnnoDracula, Barry Forshaw, Author Of Brit Noir And David Stuart Davies, Author Of Starring Sherlock Holmes: A Century Of The Master Detective On Screen
 

All Episodes Available With BBC Countdown Clock
Illustrated Peter Cushing Audio Interview With David Stuart Davies
Lost Segments With Optional Commentary By Jonathan Rigby, Author Of English Gothic, And Horror Historian Kevin Lyons

 

Disc Specs:
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audio: English Mono
Closed Captions
Region A
Run time: 308 mins

 

Disc 5: BLOODSUCKERS (1971)

 

Perhaps the most maligned and misunderstood horror film of Peter Cushing’s career, this notorious 1971 shocker can now be re-evaluated via the longest version ever assembled: When a brilliant young Oxford professor disappears while researching in Greece, his mentor (Cushing) launches an investigation that will trigger a nightmare of ritual sacrifice, sadomasochistic perversion, deranged academia and one of the most unique takes on vampirism in genre history. Patrick Macnee (THE AVENGERS), Alex Davion (THE PLAGUE OF THE ZOMBIES) and Edward Woodward (THE WICKER MAN) co-star in this infamous drama directed by Robert Hartford-Davis (CORRUPTION) – originally known as INCENSE FOR THE DAMNED in the UK and FREEDOM SEEKERS in the US – now scanned in 2K from the original negative with additional elements from a recently discovered 35mm vault print – including the uncut psychedelic orgy sequence – for the first time ever. 

 

Special Features:

Audio Commentary With Jonathan Rigby, Author Of English Gothic, And Horror Historian Kevin Lyons

 

STRANGER IN THE CITY (1961) – Short Film By Robert Hartford-Davis

Daddy's Girl – Interview With Director Robert Hartford-Davis’ Daughter, Jean Hartford-Davis

 

Bite Me! – Tigon: Blood On A Budget Author John Hamilton on Robert Hartford-Davis

The Trip – Interview With Uncredited Drug Orgy Actress Françoise Pascal

FREEDOM SEEKER Title Sequence trailer

 

Disc Specs:

Aspect ratio: 1.66:1

Audio: English Mono

Closed Captions

Region Free

Run time: 83 min

 

Disc 6: TENDER DRACULA (1974)

 

Never before available on disc in North America, the first and only film in which Peter Cushing portrayed a vampire is also the most unapologetically bizarre movie of his entire career: When horror’s biggest star (Cushing) announces his retirement from the genre, two dimwit screenwriters and a pair of sexy actresses are dispatched to the actor’s castle for a lavish farce d’horreur érotique of violence, whippings, orgies, tender romance and a devilishly dignified performance by Cushing, even while spanking the bare bottom of French starlet Miou-Miou. Alida Valli (SUSPIRIA, EYES WITHOUT A FACE) and Bernard Menez (DRACULA AND SON) co-star in the sole feature film directed by award-winning producer Pierre Grunstein (TESS, THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY) – also released as CONFESSIONS OF A BLOOD DRINKER and THE BIG SCARE – now restored by Pathé, scanned in 2K from the original Paris vault negative and authorized by the director.

 

Special Features:

Audio Commentary With Jonathan Rigby, Author Of English Gothic, and Horror Historian Kevin Lyons

 

Love Me Tender, Dracula – Interview With Director Pierre Grunstein

Menez of Speaking – Interview With Actor Bernard Menez

Trailer

 

Disc Specs:

Aspect ratio: 1.66:1

Audio: English Mono / French

Closed Captions / English Subtitles

Region A

Run time: 89 mins

Cushing Curiosities [6-Disc Blu-ray Box Set] (PRE-ORDER)

$134.95 $134.95 Sale price$95.00 $95.00 Save 30% 

 

PLEASE NOTE: This item is a PRE-ORDER with an official WIDE street date of 10/17/2023. We hope to begin early shipping all webstore orders of this item sometime around the Mid- September.

 

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

#PETERCUSHING #AUCTION AT CANTERBURY AUCTION GALLERY OCTOBER 2023

Canterbury Auctions, were kind enough to send this along.... 

PETER CUSHING : PERSONAL DOCUMENTS AND MOVIE 

EPHEMERA FOR AUCTION

 

Favourite star of the silver screen, Peter Cushing found international fame as Baron Frankenstein and Doctor Van Helsing in the most acclaimed films from the Hammer House of Horror.

 

During his lengthy acting career, Cushing also played Doctor Who, Sherlock Holmes and the villain of the original Star Wars - Grand Moff Tarkin.

 

SUNDAY 1st OCTOBER 2023

Plus: collectible bespoke catalogue available for pre-orders

 

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!

'PACK! WE ARE LEAVING' THANK GOODNESS!

TO QUOTE, #PeterCushing as Baron Frankenstein in #Hammerfilms 'Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed' (1969) 'PACK! We Are Leaving!' . .

 

ABOVE: A rare candid photograph of Peter Cushing and his wife, Helen in 1948, about to set sail with Laurence Olivier Company on a tour of Australia and New Zealand... a well-timed and much appreciated opportunity for the Cushing's, after a lean period of 'resting', tough provincial theatres and damp, accommodation, that compromised Peter's and Helen health. A lung weakness, from which Helen would never fully recover . . . 

 

N.B: We know about Peter's half of thumbnail, his false front tooth on a plate, the scar on his nose, we know how he got these little 'personal' but interesting points of character but .... no one has mentioned the walking cane that Peter is using here in this photograph.... I am blowing the cobwebs off my brain, memory and thinking hard, for the answer 😕 Did I once know and have now forgotten? Huh! Can't remember... maybe you do??  

 

ABOVE: PETER AND HELEN CUSHING, Sir Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh arrive at Freemantle, Australia with the Old Vic Theatre Company....during their tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1948.... they performed Shakespeare's Richard III and Sheridan's 'School for Scandal'.... (A: Helen Cushing B: Peter Cushing C: Laurence Olivier.

 

OLIVIER'S FILM production of 'HAMLET' .... starring Peter Cushing as Osric... and it is allegedly believed, to be 'someone else' as the 'spear carrier ' in the far left of the frame....

 

 

CREATING 'BEAUTY' while resting. How Peter Cushing made a living while resting and how one item became a 'star' in its own right! 

 

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

YES THAT IS WHO YOU THINK IT IS! JOIN HIM FOR A QUICK WALK IN #WHITSTABLE!

A GEM of a VIDEO ARTS PROJECT from 1989! JOIN PC on his SUNDAY WALK in #WHITSTABLE! Right 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, PCASuk co-ordinator since 1979. PCASuk is based in the UK, but open to everyone, whoever, where ever, YOU are!

THIS IS YOUR LIFE : THE TWO PETER'S

A VERY RARE SNAP! Peter Cushing was fortunate to have an episode of the ITV programme THIS IS YOUR LIFE dedicated to him, which was broadcast February 21st 1990. After the show, the guest is presented with that BIG RED BOOK. Inside is the complete script and several colour photographs of the evening's recording of the show and keep sake snaps of all the guests that took part and appeared too. Watching the recording, you can see he had a wonderful time. 

 

TRULY HUMBLED, Peter watched surprised as guests rolled on with hugs, kisses and anecdotes to share, along with Christopher Lee via a pre recording, Joanna Lumley, Freddie Jones, Tyburn producer, and close friend Kevin Francis, Hammer films' Sir James Carreras and Anthony Hinds, Ernie Wise, David Rintoul, John Mills ad Peter Ustinov, who wrote and appeared in a long forgotten live tv dire nightmare called 'Moment of Truth', starring Cushing as the Prime Minister, while written, and also starring Ustinov! Broadcast on March 4th 1955, it also starred Donald Pleasance, Janette Sterke, Hugh Griffith.

 

DO YOU RECALL seeing this episode of THIS IS YOUR LIFE at the time? If not there is a link to our PCASuk recording in our archive!

 

YOU'LL FIND THE FULL EPISODE at our PCASuk Video Archive : 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, PCASuk co-ordinator since 1979. PCASuk is based in the UK, but open to everyone, whoever, where ever, YOU are!