WHEN VINCENT PRICE SURPRISED CHRISTOPHER LEE, LEE SURPRISED CUSHING AND CUSHING SURPRISED LEE!

#HAMMERFILMSATURDAY: NOT A POST ON A HAMMER FILM as such, but certainly the emphasis is on shock and surprise! All three actors in this feature, relied on the power of surprise and of the unexpected, those golden rules were also the glue that held a television show like, 'THIS IS YOUR LIFE' together, and made it such a thrill to watch. The big question, after the initial netting of the programmes 'victim', was who was going to walk through the door and appear in the studio next?

THERE CAN'T BE MANY who have never seen the show, which was originally screened in the USA and  hosted by its creator and producer, Ralph Edwards. Christopher Lee was chosen as the shows subject on 3rd April 1974. At 51 years old, Lee still had a very long way to go and several major career defining roles at this point in his long life. The guests included  his wife, Gitte, daughter Christina, his mother, sister, brother, and fellow actors Peter Cushing, Vincent Price, Patrick Macnee, and Sammy Davis Jr. Lee who sometimes could be a little stiff and guarded in personal appearances on tv, looked relaxed and having a good time, thankfully a position that we would eventually see him adopt more often, as he got older.

BECAUSE OF WORK commitments, Christopher Lee was unable to attend Peter Cushing's 'The Is Your Life' tribute show in 1990. But he did record a message for his friend, whic was played to Cushing, during the recording of the show.

THE 'NO-SHOW' at the studio, for Peter's programme, surprised a few people. Often the show had a habit of showing a recording of a guest who could be there, for whatever reason.. and then bringing the same guest on from around the back...they were there all the time! But, sadly not in this case. The show was a great success, with much laughter from Peter, who waqs obviously enjoying himself. Maybe, a Cushing This Is Your Life should have happened sooner? Peter looked frail, many  guests who could have contributed much to the story of Peter's life, had long passed. Having said that, Joyce Broughton, in several interviews, always made the point of, Cushing telling her, 'If that show gets in touch, tell them no. Under no circumstances, no!' It''s worth noting that, Cushing DID know about the  planned recording weeks before, when he became so suspicious of Joyce's behavior, she had to tell him. If that was a good thing or not, you decide... 

RALPH EDWARDS APPROACHES, Price in a bookstore and says, 'It's good to see you are autographing a copy of your own book, 'A Treasury of American Art' ..and at no point does Vincent suspect anything is a-miss. 'Yes, that's right.' says Price, 'It's a wonderful book!' 'Well..' says Edwards, 'I have another book, with your name on it, right on the front cover!'....and at that point, starts to pull out, the BIG book from a plastic carrier bag. 'I REALLY don't believe it!' howls Price. And, another one heads off to '...a studio, just a few blocks away' to meet his family and friends, before the cameras. Price has a wonderful time, and his genuine warmth and love for the guests who appear, is plain to see.

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#FRANKENSTEINFRIDAY: FRANKENSTEIN IN THE DOCK : DOUBLE BILL CLIPS AND GIFS

#FRANKENSTEINFRIDAY: One thing I have noticed in these Frankenstein films down the years.. you just can't stop a creepy character from peeping in through window! Just plain nosy I say! Here's Bela Lugosi and Christopher Lee doing the peeping . .

#FRANKENSTEINFRIDAY: For those of us who have a top ten of Hammer Cushing scenes, this one would be in there for sure. In fact, any scene where Cushijg's Baron deflates the pompous is always a joy to watch. Here Victor Madden gets the pin treatment, as the Baron defends his friend and assistant, Hans from the guillotine . . Frankenstein's quick come backs and chill and great...but maybe not enough to save his friend...

HERE'S A BIT of a teaser for you... you see this photograph around Hammer film fan sites a lot... can you solve this puzzle. ANSWER later . .

OUR FEATURE WITH GALLERY ON FRANKENSTEIN

 CREATED WOMAN : CLICK HERE

PETER MADDEN co stars in 'Frankenstein Created Woman', and is an actor who rarely gets a mention these days. Back in the late 50's and 60's he was a popular choice of casting, for anything from police officers, teachers, hoteliers and 'the creepy one who lurks in the back, that you are not sure of!' He appeared in several film and tv shows along side or supporting Peter Cushing. The BBC Cushing Sherlock series, Dr Terrors House of Horrors, Brides of Dracula, Kiss of the Vampire, ... So, we are mentioning him here today, because  he is one of many we come across in our features...who deserves, to be remembered.....

Peter Madden featured in one of the lobby cards of Amicus films, Dr  Terror's House of Horrors.

Peter Madden (9 August 1904 – 24 February 1976) was a British actor who was born in Ipoh in the Federated Malay States (now Malaysia). Madden was a character actor who made several appearances in Hammer films and was a familiar face in British film and television during the 1950s and 1960s.

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. . . AND THE 1956 BAFTA AWARD FOR THE BEST TV ACTOR GOES TO . . . .

Peter Cushing as Winston Smith in the BBC adaption of George Orwell's '1984' was one of many powerful live television drama performances that Cushing did for the BBC from the early 1950's.

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YOU MAY FIRE WHEN READY!: TARKIN ROGUE ONE GIFS

#THROWBACKTHURSDAY: OUR SHORTEST TRIP back ever, maybe? December 16th 2016! It's when those immortal lines, were spoken again, and for some, we went back even further too!

'You May Fire, when ready......'

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A SENSE OF FUN, A NAUGHTY SENSE OF HUMOR AND CUSHING AT CANNES

#THROWBACKTHURSDAY: CHRISTOPHER LEE once said that Peter Cushing had a laugh that could clear a restaurant in 30 seconds flat! And it must be said, if you ever get the chance to catch a clip of Peter laughing, it was a belter!  It also seemed to get even louder, when he was in the company of Christopher Lee! We interviewed JUDY GEESON back in the early 1980's, in her dressing room, at a theatre, where she was appearing in a play at the time. She was sharp, bright as a button, and chomped her way through a pawn salad, as she regaled us with stories for our Marantz audio recorder and microphone! 

JUDY GEESON had only worked with Peter once in FEAR IN THE NIGHT (1972), and Christopher Lee in 1975 in a film called,  DIAGNOSIS MURDER. Thankfully, she had much to share on both. She also commented on his Cushing's laugh...and his pleasure on finding out that Judy kept a parakeet, and had a pet dog. She even brought the bird to the set of Fear In The Night, so Peter could sketch and paint it! It's interesting that most reports and reviews of Cushing's films that you read about, from this period of time, are usual tinged sadness, and concerned with Peter Cushing's grief and loss, of his wife, Helen. It's good to know, he did have sunny days, some light and shade.

#THROWBACKTHURSDAY: Marketing the Cushing Film in the 1970's..... from the Cannes film festival to US Home Video entertainment!

AND HERE IS another one from pit of...probably best forgotten releases..there can't be surely, any cheaper publicity poster, as lame and as penny pinching as this beauty from 'Black Jack: Death At The Casino' in which Peter had a guest star role.... this is the 'hold-the-front-page, Betty!' blinding monochrome poster for the trade-show at Cannes in 1981. There was later, a colour version, but it wasn't around very long...a bit like the film, I guess?

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!

THE PROFESSOR ISSUE FOUR : SIRENA : PRAISE FOR ISSUE FOUR!

ANYONE WHO IS a regular here at the PCAS website will know we are following a very interesting comic series published in Italy by Erredi Graphic Editor, “The Professor”. It tells the adventures of a Professor of literature and philosophy at the University College London, Mr Benjamin Love. He has been educated by Rabbi Moshe from Bevis Marks Synagogue to the mysteries of qabbaláh, alchemy and esoterism. The setting of this short series is horror Gothic and develops in the Late Victorian Age. The character of the Professor takes inspiration from Hammer’s films and he looks like the British actor Peter Cushing.

IN THIS FOURTH ISSUE, “Sirena”, Benjamin is invited by the Count Raimondo Del Balzo, descendant of the Prince Raimondo Di Sangro, to the fascinating city of Naples. The invitation which might be a simple rest occasion, soon turns to be a sort of incubus. Furio, the faithful mastiff dog who is the Professor’s life companion, has started to behave strangely recently. The stay at the Count’s mansion is not the best one: at night recurrent nightmares alarm Benjamin… This story is produced by the creative team led by Andrea Corbetta: drawings by the young artist Germano Giorgiani, script by Carlo A. Martigli, Giulia Carla De Carlo and Roberto Leoni who is also the new editor of the series.

THE PROFESSOR ISSUE FOUR!
The Professor 4: Sirena, testi di Carlo Martigli, Giulia Carla De Carlo, Roberto Leoni, disegni di Germano Giorgiani

S. Riccò: Hi, thank you for the latest addition. Tonight, I can finally enjoy myself with the  mermaid! 

G. Giorgiani‎: A picture is obligatory with the professor!! Every two months in kiosk!! Thank you!

D. NIGRO : 'Well, after a thorough and finally lucid second reading, I can finally say my peace on this "mermaid". Let's start with the positive aspects: the drawings in some ways are authentic little masterpieces, see the appearance of mounted policeman outside the palace of sangro, or the image of melusine the last dream of Benjamin, or fingers at horns of count into Orbits the skull of the church of the souls of purgatory and so many others, all very inspiring and memorable...'

P. Domenico
THE SEA, THE MERMAID AND THE PROFESSOR!

E. MANGRONI: 'The fourth issue was a great, and is currently my favorite, mostly for the theme... It fascinates me anything that hangs around undead, though maybe I wish some more detail on bokor Haitian... but I digress here 😉). The story reminds me of the style of some of the legends of American comics and made the story very fast and pleasant to read (to understand what I mean go read hush of Jim Lee and Loeb Joeph saga or the dark knight of Frank Miller). Also the new press has greatly improved the quality of the graphics and the paper gives you a pleasant sensation under my fingertips'.

T. T. V. Ongaro‎

'I must confess....  for me, this fourth number is the best out! Amazing! The other issues have been great too. Nothing to remove, do not change! This series of "the professor" is also a major in the field of Italian comics 😉 Congratulations to the authors!! '

Spaccio Fumetti:
'I realized, is it just me or have you guys noticed too that the professor,improves number after number? Going beyond the technical side, "Mermaid" presented a story that make s the most of the 'games of lights and shadows of the setting' (Naples) and drops into the story four mysteries, seemingly unrelated, that take our breath till last pages! Pages where everything is elegant! Beyond these aspects, Professor Love in "Mermaid" carries an aura maliciousness, it pervades his every action, enough to give us the most creepy issue of The Professor published so far!

The LIMITED EDITION COLLECTABLE MODEL KIT FIGURE of the Peter Cushing influenced character that appears in the excellent #THEPROFESSOR comic..is now ALMOST READY for it's release and Andrea Corbetta, the sculptor Roberto De Meo and the guy who had the idea, Davide Decina . . have us on stand by, ready for the completion date!.... We'll be keeping you posted with updates and any news, as we get it from the Professor team.

YOU CAN FIND MORE NEWS ABOUT THE FORTHCOMING ISSUES OF 'THE PROFESSOR', MEET AND CHAT WITH OTHERS WHO APPRECIATE THE PROFESSOR AT THEIR FACEBOOK 'THE PROFESSOR CLUB' ... REQUEST TO JOIN HERE

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GIFS: EPIC CINEMA ON A BUDGET WITH A FINGER THIEF AND A THREE WEEK SHOOT!

#SILENTBUTDEADLYWEDNESDAY: THE 1960 FILM. 'SUSPECT' aka  'The Risk' was a tight little thriller, directed by Roy Boulting and John Boulting, with an excellent cast of Tony Britton, Virginia Maskell, Ian Bannen, Peter Cushing and Donald Pleasence. What started as a bet between the two brothers, to see if they could make a film, from page to screen in three weeks, when it was discovered the film they had recently completed had wrapped almost a month ahead of schedule. They grabed a property novel entitled,  A Sort of Traitors by Nigel Balchin, and the result was,  'Suspect' retitled in the US as 'The Risk'. Jeff Plumber got in touch to request one of this week's GIFS, as he has never got the chance to see the film, maybe a tinny GIF would be a great teaser. And in the GIF we have posted featuring Tony Britton as Doctor Robert Marriott and Peter Cushing as the tense, Professor Sewell, does the job, I think? Great choice Jeff. Thank you!

#SILENTBUTDEADLYWEDNESDAY: Here are two guys that back at the time when this film was made in 1965, were at the top of their profession. Bernard Cribben's on the left here played Major Holly's (Peter Cushing) valet, in something a little different from Hammer called, 'SHE'. At this time Cribbin's was hardly ever off the small screen in the UK. Starring in several of his own light entertainment shows, having hit novelty songs in the UK hit parade and guesting and appearing in all sorts of homegrown flicks and tv shows. He also starred with Cushing in 'Daleks Invasion earth, 2150 AD' which they made the following year. Cribbin's was a keen scuba-diver, and while on location in Israel, taught Cushing to fish and do the flipper thing! Despite a badly timed faux -par with the BBC at the beginning of the 60's, that affected his working relationship with the 'bods-in -suits' at the Beeb, Cushing was very busy, on both the tv, radio and the big screen. The first four years of the new decade brought some interesting roles.

OUR FEATURE AND GALLERY ON 'SHE' CAN BE FOUND : HERE!

CUSHING AND CRIBBIN'S, along with co-star Christopher Lee, probably though 'SHE' was going to be a few weeks in the sun and some excellent time to paint, swim, eat and see the sights. It was anything but... with Cribbin's being injured in his BUTT, and most of the crew and cast going down with 'unpredictable bowel' events.  'SHE' was produced by Hammer films in an attempt at producing something... EPIC! Producer Michael Carreras wasn't that keen on the spooky flicks, that made Hammer films famous, and he was desperate the make something that was family entertainment, with epic style. The problem was, Hammer never had EPIC money....! Still what we do get isn't far off the mark, and it's title star, Ursula Andress is not too shoddy either, filling the screen, in more ways than one, with her super-star charisma.  Many thanks to Danni Marx for this GIF request!

#SILENTBUTDEADLYWEDNESDAY: IF THERE IS ANTHING that the fairy-tales of our childhood tells us, it's... DON'T TAKE ANYTHING OR STEAL FROM THE BAD GUYS...don't eat that apple, don't take that drugged candy from the lady in the made of candy...and don't even try thinking about stealing that hen, that eggs those very expensive eggs! Peter Cushing's Prof Emmanuel Hildern, could add, 'never cut and take the finger from a eight foot tall fossilized skeleton!' Of course, if he had taken a look over his shoulder at his family, and their struggle with madness, the ruthless torment from his brother, Christopher Lee...he would have had a hunch, this wasn't going to work out well for him. 

'THE CREEPING FLESH' is a excellent film on all counts, wonderfully directed by Freddie Francis, who for a short spell only, woke up from his boredom with directing horror films,  this one tick all the boxes, but because of the timing of it's production, missed it's boat and glory, when the horror market in the UK had all but bled-out. Cushing is great at roles like Van Helsing and co where he gets to fight the evil, by means of quick thinking, Errol Flynn theatrics and strength, but he makes a superb foil for the fall too. Hildern does everything he shouldn't, and the final 20 mins of the film, sees him hunted by the films, bogey-man. If you have not caught this one yet, it was recently re-released in the US on Blu Ray. Look it up! GIF requested by Debbie Finson, who also asks, 'Can you explain what the ending means of The Creeping Flesh, please?' Debbie, I would love to, but..despite watching this several times, there's lots of clues, but the answer, I can't quite put my FINGER on it ....

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!