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Tuesday 20 June 2017

#TOOCOOLTUESDAY: DRACULA MINI SERIES FANCY DRESS AND TWO GREAT DIGITS!

#TOOCOOLTUESDAY: I HAVE NEVER seen photographs of Peter Cushing judging a beauty competition, but he must have judged a few #FANCYDRESS comps in his time. This is a one that took place during the opening of #THREBRIDESOFDRACULA back in 1960. It's strange how the act of offering someone a cigarette just looks so alien these days....!

#TOOCOOLTUESDAY?: So, the guys behind the successful BBC Benedict Cumberbatch Sherlock series, are planning a whole series of gothic horrors, including DRACULA... It will be made by the BBC and syndicated to the US and others for sure. If you liked their spin on Sherlock...will you watch this? Good idea?

THE PRESS RELEASE . .

THE SHERLOCK TEAM are reuniting on a new version of the classic horror story Dracula, RadioTimes can confirm. Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss are due to begin work on a series of BBC specials based on the classic 1897 novel by Bram Stoker in which the bloodthirsty count moves from Transylvania to England. The Corporation is finalising talks with the pair and is poised to green-light the project which is likely to air in 2019. The new Dracula series has not yet been written and Gatiss and Moffat will begin working on the scripts once they have both completed their own solo projects – details of which have not been confirmed.“It’s early days and the BBC has not seen a script yet but they are close to signing a deal for a series of 90-minute films of Dracula,” said a senior production source.“It’s not yet been decided if it will be historical or modern day or if there will be a US co-producer but the BBC are keen on this and it will happen.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE decided is how many episodes – whether there are three or five or six or whatever but they will definitely be 90-minute films. "Production is at least a year away so it will probably be on screen in 2019 at the earliest.” Gatiss has often spoken of his fondness for the Dracula story – particularly the 1958 film starring Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing – and even played the title role himself in a recent audio drama, but it currently seems unlikely that he will take on the part of the Count in the new version, according to sources. “Casting is a long way off but the feeling is he probably won’t – but you never know,” said a BBC source.

#TOOCOOLTUESDAY: NO NEED TO CAPTION THIS ONE THEN?

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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.

Monday 19 June 2017

REMEMBERING DAVID PEEL : MAKING OF BRIDES GIFS AND MODEL KIT!

#MONSTERMONDAY: TODAY we remember actor DAVID PEEL who was born today 19th June 1920. 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. I have a memory of him turning up in a theatre production with Peter in the 1950's..but I'll look that up, in mo...

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!

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Sunday 18 June 2017

#HAPPYFATHERSDAY: FATHERS PASSED BUT NOT FORGOTTEN!

#HAPPYFATHERSDAY! It's the day for Dad's whoever you are, wherever you are all over the world. Father's here, Father's passed. Father's who can celebrate with their children today, and Father's, for whatever reason can not. My Dad is 4,000 miles away today, but only seconds away when I picked up that phone. He is, all I could ever ask for in a Father and friend . . .hey and without him, I never would have seen Dr Who and the Daleks in the cinema way back then!

Christina Lee with Father Christopher and Mother, Birgit.

Victoria with Father Vincent and pet Pug, Puffle!

CUSHING'S FATHER George, was a rock. Though he was closer to his Mother, Nellie, his Dad was always there for him, when he needed him. Cushing joked that his Father paid for his air ticker to the USA back in 1939, but he bought a ONE WAY ticket!!! Victoria Price has shared her memories of her Dad Vincent in an amazing book. And today she still travels the world, sharing stories and celebrating her father. Christina Lee I am sure, is still really missing her Father, Christopher. You only have to see the pics of her and her Dad to know, they were very close. With both Christina and Victoria, you can see many mannerisms that hint at their Dad's.... Happy Father's Day!

The Cushing Family: Peter at the top, his Father George, Mother Nellie and his Brother, David.

#GETTHECUSHIONSUNDAY! THE TERROR OF ROOM 101

#GETTHECUSHIONSUNDAY! Last week we shared an interview clip, with Peter Cushing speaking about the impact of the live BBC production of George Orwell's 1984 and THIS scene was probably the one that upset the viewers of 1954 even more so... I think it fits our weekly Sunday theme perfectly! How do you think this scene has aged? Does it still deliver an impact?

DO YOU KNOW YOUR FU FROM YOUR TONG?

#CHRISTOPHERLEESATURDAYS! It's a role you don't hear much about these days, Dracula, Saruman and Count Dooku cast a long shadow... but Lee did play FU MANCHU in FIVE films : The Face of Fu Manchu (1965) The Brides of Fu Manchu (1966) The Vengeance of Fu Manchu (1967) The Blood of Fu Manchu (1968) The Castle of Fu Manchu (1969)... plus Chung King in Hammer films, 'Terror of the Tongs' in 1961. Are you a fan of Lee's FU? Is one considered better than the others...educate me, I know next to nothing about this series of films...and am contemplating a FU night!

TRIVIA: What is the name of the actress who appeared in all FIVE FU films with Lee? . . . AND When Christopher Lee played FU MANCHU, his mustache is LONGER than CHUNG KING's in 'Terror of the Tongs'??? True or False?

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT 'THE TERROR OF THE TONGS' HERE IS OUR FEATURE WITH RARE STILLS GALLERY: CLICK HERE!

#GETTHECUSHIONITSCUSHINGSUNDAY! JOIN US TOMORROW!

Saturday 17 June 2017

#CHRISTOPHER LEE: THE DEVIL AND PERFECT ROLES

#CHRISTOPHERLEESATURDAY!: A short interview with Christopher Lee on the set of the last film he appeared in for Hammer films, 'The Resident' in 2011. This clip was shot by CNN, during a visit to the set, wasn't used during the initial broadcast, probably because of the 'slightly off mic' sound.

#CHRISTOPHERLEESATURDAYS! Here is a clip from the 1973 television pilot 'Poor Devil 'starring Sammy Davis Jr. as a down-on-his-luck demon with the Devil (Christopher Lee). Sadly the show was not picked up for a whole tv series. Jack Klugman and the late Adam West also co-starred in the feature-length pilot. How do you think this series would have worked, if it HAD been picked up??

Friday 16 June 2017

#FRANKENSTEINFRIDAY: HAND TINTED CURSE OF THE BANDAGES AND NEW FOR SATURDAYS!

#FRANKENSTEINFRIDAY: Here's a request for Gail Bridgeman who has asked us to repost our tinted 10 x 8 publicity still of Peter Cushing from 'The Curse of Frankenstein' she wrote, 'I saw a lovely colour photograph of Peter on your page a few weeks ago, I should have copied it when I saw it, but I thought I would go back and find it later. Guess what? Finding things on facebook is HARD! Would you repost it please? Many thanks and keep up the great work, Gail'

NEW FOR SATURDAYS!

EVERY SATURDAY

PCAS YOUTUBE CHANNEL LIVE NOW

EVERY SUNDAY

TOP SECRET: CUSHING BOOK STORE SCENE AS SHOT IN FORWARD MOTION!

#PETERCUSHING in The Book Store Scene from Top Secret BUT.. played as it was shot, in FORWARD MOTION! Seeing the clip like this it's easy to see how hard this was to shoot! It's one shot, which means no edits or cutaways, so when the camera rolled, it was don't stop until we have finished the shot, complete in one take. If anyone made a mistake, it was back to the beginning, at the fire-pole.

CUSHING DOES REPEAT A LINE of dialogue, which would have been hard to hear in the reverse motion that appeared in the film, and is only now heard, because we have it in raw footage, as shot. I wonder how many takes this might have taken, to get that one in the can????

Thursday 15 June 2017

REMEMBERING: SANDOR ELES : BORN TODAY

REMEMBERED: TODAY WE REMEMBER Hungarian born actor SANDOR ELES…. Known for a lot of work on TV he guest starred in shows such as The Saint, One Step Beyond, The Avengers, Danger Man and a regular role in the UK Soap 'Crossroads'....

IT HAS ALWAYS surprised me why Hammer films didn't use Eles more often in their features. If Cushing and Lee signed up for every film that Hammer offered them, Hammer would have very pleased, they were bankable, they didn't pay well, but they were always on the wish list of Hammer casting. IF they passed, then it appears that often Hammer liked to cast actors of similar skill set, style and appearance, like John Carson, Francis Matthews, sometimes having a air of nobility, aquiline features... Eles certainly fitted this bill...

COULD ELES HAVE PLAYED THE ROLES THAT MATTHEWS AND CARSON PLAYED FRO HAMMER FILMS? . . NOT SAYING BETTER, BUT AS GOOD AS?

IF YOU TAKE a quick look at the casting and budgets of the films, he did appear in with Peter and Hammer, it looks like it comes down to the age old problem with Hammer.... money. Which, is a shame and leaves behind it a whole raft of missed opportunities...Eles did a lot of good and interesting work, given the chance. He made appearances in The Avengers, The Professionals Strange Report and Upstairs, Downstairs. One of his most memorable film roles was as the mysterious Paul in the Brian Clemens thriller 'And Soon the Darkness' in 1970. The screenplay was written by Brian Clemens and Terry Nation, both of whom had contributed to The Avengers, as well as to several ITC crime series made in Britain. The film was directed by Robert Fuest.

Even though his accent was good, casting agents often pigeon holed him in generic 'foreigner' roles (diplomats, waiters, desk clerks), he most often played Frenchmen. Éles became a British citizen on 10 January 1977.

FOR MANY, signing up for long term contract in a television soap opera, is thought of the final hole on the leaking ship of a once buoyant career. Eles joined the cast the UK long running tv series, Crossroads in 1982. The series was still popular and Eles seemed to cultivating a new interest. He left the series in 1985 and followed a trail of opportunities propping up the plot in several tv movies and mini series.

IN 1996, Elès returned to his cultural roots, appearing as the narrator in the Bartók opera, Bluebeard's Castle. The concert performances, were given by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under Bernard Haitink, and were recorded for CD release. His last movie appearance would be in 1996 playing 'party guest' in Anthony Hopkins' 'Surviving Picasso'. Small theatre roles followed in provincial tours. Sadly Eles would be dead from a fatal heart failure just six years later. He was just 66....

HIS LAST PRESS NOTICE was in classified and public notices section in the newspaper of the London Borough of Brent, seeking to notify family members and parties who may have an interest in 'unclaimed estates' 'Jozsef Sandor Eles was born in Tatabanya Hungary on Monday 15 June 1936. He died in Kilburn London NW6, on Tuesday 10 September 2002 at the age of 66. He was unmarried at the time of his death. Information on file states that the deceased's parents are deceased and buried in the family grave. His sister is also deceased and buried with her parents. There are suggestions of a niece in Hungary but her wherebaouts are unknown.Deceased was a retired actor and was found dead on 10 September and was last seen alive on 4 September'.