THE GENTLEST OF GENTLMEN : STAR WARS CHEWBACCA PETER MAYHEW DIES AGED 74

VERY SAD NEWS to report the passing of PETER MAYHEW, the actor behind Chewbacca in the Star Wars film series has passed aged 74 . . .

PETER MAYHEW was born on May 19, 1944 in Barnes, London, England and  was working as a hospital attendant at the King's College Hospital in London when film producer Charles H. Schneer saw the above photo, a TALL man! Charles H. Schneer cast him in Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977). It was just over a year later that he was asked if he wanted to do another role. Mayhew was told it was for a big hairy beast. 

THAT ROLE WAS OF COURSE, Chewbacca, the faithful 200 year-old Wookiee in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) and his life was changed forever. Following the original Star Wars trilogy, Mayhew has done several commercials in the Wookiee costume including one for Cingular and Orange associated with Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005). In 1997, the twentieth anniversary celebrations of Star Wars were announced with the release of the "Special Edition" and all the conventions started. For many years, Mayhew was very active on the "Star Wars" convention circuit where he signed autographs, posed for pics and met his many thousands of friends and fans. He made time to write two books, "Growing Up Giant" and "My Favorite Giant" and founded a non-profit 501(c)3 charity organization called "The Peter Mayhew Foundation" and was the purveyor of chewbacca.com.

FOLLOWING THE ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY, friends and industry shared their messages:

Harrison Ford, who played the character of Han Solo, praised him for his “great dignity and noble character. Peter Mayhew was a kind and gentle man, possessed of great dignity and noble character. These aspects of his own personality, plus his wit and grace, he brought to Chewbacca. We were partners in film and friends in life for over 30 years and I loved him. He invested his soul in the character and brought great pleasure to the Star Wars audience. Chewbacca was an important part of the success of the films we made together. He knew how important the fans of the franchise were to its continued success and he was devoted to them. I and millions of others will never forget Peter and what he gave us all. My thoughts are with his dear wife Angie and his children.  Rest easy, my dear friend.” 

Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, shared a tribute on social media in which he described Mayhew as the “gentlest of giants”. He added: “A big man with an even bigger heart who never failed to make me smile & a loyal friend who I loved dearly-I’m grateful for the memories we shared & I’m a better man for just having known him. Thanks Pete #RIPPeterMayhew #Heartbroken”. 

Director and creator of Star Wars, George Lucas also paid tribute.“Peter was a wonderful man. He was the closest any human being could be to a Wookiee: big heart, gentle nature – and I learned to always let him win. He was a good friend, and I’m saddened by his passing.” 

The San Diego Comic-Con Twitter account also shared a message of tribute. “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Peter Mayhew. He was our beloved companion in a galaxy far, far, away. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends, and fans. The force will be with you always, Peter.” 

Joonas Suotamo took over the role of Chewbacca from Mayhew, first as a body double in Force Awakens and later as the lead in 2017’s The Last Jedi and 2018’s A Star Wars Story. Writing on Twitter, he said: “Devastated to hear about the passing of a dear friend and mentor, the great Peter Mayhew.Peter’s warm welcome when I came aboard as his double in The Force Awakens meant so much to me. Studying the character he helped create was always a daunting task, but one that was made easier by his tutelage and kindness as we sought to bring Chewbacca to life for a new generation. He was an absolutely one-of-a-kind gentleman and a legend of unrivaled class and I will miss him. As the entire Star Wars universe grieves over this terrible loss my thoughts and prayers are with his wife Angie and his family and all of the fans whose lives he has impacted. Rest assured his legacy will live on and the spirit that he gave the character when he first donned the suit will never be forgotten.” 

MAYHEW married his wife,  Mary Angelique ("Angie") in 1999 and together they had three children. He was very happy to become a naturalised citizen of the United States, in 2005. For several years, Mayhew had been plagued by ill heath, pneumonia, under went knee surgery and last year announced via Twitter, that he had successfully undergone unspecified spinal surgery to improve his mobility, and was recovering. 

PETER MAYHEW was extremely popular with fans of the Star Wars films. A regular presence at Star wars events around the world. His portrayal of Chewbacca and the chemistry between his character and that of Harrison Ford's Han Solo, remains one of the enduring emotive elements that has helped make Star Wars, such a success. A very kind, committed and generous man, who will forever be remembered with enormous affection . . . .     

THE MONSTER AT MACY'S THANKS GIVING PARADE

IF YOU HAVE EVER WONDERED just how popular, a certain Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee film had become in the USA, after it's release in 1957. Just WHO is that inflatable, floating down the street at the Macy's Thanks Giving Parade.... ?

SO JUST WHAT SHADE OF GREEN IS YOUR ENVY, RIGHT NOW?

SO, JUST WHAT SHADE OF GREEN, is your envy?😲😃😊😉 Congratulations to Peter Cushing / Star Wars fan, Korrathrace over on Deskgram, who recently took ownership of this fine signed, colour frame portrait of Peter as Grand Moff Tarkin from the 1977 'Star Wars'.... 'BTW this is mine now uhhhhhhhhhh . . .' says she 😉

PROBABLY, PERSONALLY ONE OF MY ALL TIME favorite photographs of #PeterCushing. Taken on the set of the 1977 'STAR WARS', by continuity supervisor, Ann Skinner, Cushing between takes with Dave Prowse and Don Henderson. Prowse worked with Cushing on his last Frankenstein film for director Terence Fisher and Hammer films, Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell and Henderson worked with Cushing on Tyburn films, 'The Ghoul'

OUR PCASUK feature on 'THE GHOUL' HERE!

WHOSE PANTS ARE THESE AND WOULD YOU BUY THEM?

FAMOUS PANTS FOR SALE! There is a kinda Cushing connectionl They were once involved in a very cloak and dagger scenario.... so who do you think wore them and in what Peter Cushing movie??? Answers and suggestions are being asked for over at the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE right now  . . .

PETER CUSHING AS CHRISTOPHER MAITLAND... yup that surname again, in an Amicus film... in 'The Skull' (1965). The director Freddie Francis often said that Subotsky's screenplay for The Skull, was when he received it, little more than just a story outline. Much of the dialogue, of which there was far less, than the usual Amicus film, was devised on set, along with blocking of the action. Subotsky wasn't a lover of dialogue laden scripts.

HERE ARE TWO EXCELLENT reviews complete with great image and photograph galleries from Peter Cushing's `1965 Amicus film, 'THE SKULL'  HERE  and  HERE!

PCAS actually owns a copy of the Francis, Robert Bloch script... there are many pages of notes and added dialogue in Francis handwriting. The additions made it one of Amicus films best movies, wonderful roles for the cast and for Cushing, a really dramatic character opportunity, in which he shines.... Is 'The Skull', one of your Top 5 Amicus films?

THE GENTLE MAN OF HORROR : RARE POSE FOR THE PRESS PLUS RARE BEHIND THE SCENES ON THE DR WHO DALEK MOVIES!

PETER CUSHING POSES for a publicity pic around the mid 1980's during the publication of his two autobiographies. Over at the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE, we are asking followers to, note the walking cane... 'now which Cushing film was that used in, do you think?'

BEHIND THE SCENES GALLERY on the set of BOTH Peter Cushing Dr Who movies : Just CLICK HERE!

MAKING A MONSTER AND HIGHLIGHTS OF ONE OF LEE AND CUSHING GREATEST!

REQUESTED BY TERI BARTON at the FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE Requested Teri Barton today! 😃 TWO great pics from Peter Cushing's and Hammer films FIRST Frankenstein film, 'The Curse of Frankenstein' The colour one of PC is one of my favs 😌 For many years 'Curse' held the distinction of being the most profitable movie to be produced in England by a British studio. These are two press shots, the first Cushing posing for pics for colour press kits, and Lee with make up artist Phil Leakey on the final day of trying out the 'creature make up' Christopher Lee's monster make-up was almost literally done at the "last minute".

AFTER PREVIOUS attempts to design a monster make-up using a cast of Lee's head had failed, Make-up Artist Philip Leakey made the final design the day before shooting began, directly onto Lee's face, using primarily cotton and other household materials. Since he didn't use any latex or molds, the make-up had to be re-created from scratch every day. Those were the days..... 😉😮

FANTASY DIVAS CINEMA CRAMMED AND STICKY TOO!

THERE ARE MAGAZINES that you purchase for features, some for certain writers and maybe some for the great editorial and pics! #CINEFICCION does all those things for it's readers and subscribers 🙂 Many years ago, I remember collecting stickers, transfers and collectors cards, it was a lot of fun. I was sad when it ...vanished. Issue 9 of CINEFICCION, as an amusing tribute to such good days, has a fold-out section, with such stickers! It's a nice touch.

AS WELL AS THAT, there is a whole section on Hammer actresses, with exclusive interviews, and a section on Josh Kennedy's 'House of the Gorgon' ..and much much more besides. There are even FIVE different covers, dedicated to the Hammer actresses featured with. Nope it's not written in English. but the whole visual communication of Cineficcion is quite smart and very universal. Well done, Dario and all contributors, another superb issue 😉 Here is just a snip of some of the content... and those stickers :);) - Marcus

YOU CAN ORDER YOUR COPY HERE!

FROM WEREWOLVES AND GIBLETS TO SOFT TOY AND PIGLET!

PETER CUSHING takes a break on set from playing Dr Christopher Lungren in Amicus films 'The Beast Must Die' (1974) An alternate version of the film was released under the 'interesting' title of, 'Black Werewolf'. For some weird reason this cut, edits and omits the wonderful "werewolf break" near the climax! now where is the fun in that????

HERE IS THE PCAS feature and gallery on Peter Cushing and Amicus films, 'THE BEAST MUST DIE' LOTS of interesting and rare pics! Have fun! 

FROM WEREWOLVES, TO PIGS! . On the LEFT is a soft toy and comfort to Peter Cushing from a very early age. He loved it all his life and throughout his entire life, it was always near his bed. On the RIGHT, Peter Cushing on the beach, in his woolen swim suit aged seven. He loved swimming all his life...and as an adult, would take daily early morning dips in the sea, which was virtually outside his front door at Seasalter, Whitstable.

AT THE FACEBOOK PCASUK FAN PAGE, many have asked WHERE IS PIGLET NOW? When Peter died, all of his personal things, his vast collections of books, model theatre's, war game figures, stamps, postcards...so many things, became part of the estate that became the property of Joyce and Bernard Broughton... the people who looked after Peter in the last ten years of his life...and the people who gave permission for the CGI Rogue One Tarkin, to become a reality. Joyce had been Peter's personal secretary, assistant and friend, since 1957. Most of Peter's belongings and collections were auctioned, not only for fans to own a special piece of something, but also to meet the demand of a huge 'death tax' demand. However, somethings Joyce kept or passed onto the display at the Whitstable Museum... and that is where 'Piglet' now lives! In a glass case, along with other personal Cushing items

WHEN CUSHING STOOD IN THE SHADOW OF NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL

WATCHING AND LISTENING to the news tonight, I am so sad and shocked by the horrific fire, that is destroying and consuming the beautiful and historic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. It's a place I have visited many times since I was a teenager. No time in Paris can be spent, without seeing 'The Cathedral'. With it's an amazing architecture, inside and out, the paintings, the sculpture... the history, you could sense so strongly when you walked inside. Peter Cushing visited it quite a few times too and loved it, very much. He sat and painted in water colours the spire, the arches and roof. It's truly, truly sad to see the iconic spire and parts of the first tower, now vanishing in the flames. To all our followers and friends in Paris and France... our hearts go out to you...

BACK IN THE EARLY 80'S, it wasn't unusual to sometimes meet up with some of the 500+ people back then, who were international subscribers to the PCAS Newsletters and Journals. PCAS was then a team of three people. We treated managing the society as a hobby! Often we would spend a weekend in London, Sheffield or Bristol, meeting many of those members who loved Peter Cushing, Hammer films and anything connected! We would always take gifts of some stills or a press book, for anyone we were meeting! One trip, I remember well, was a three day trip to Paris. It was a hoot! We arranged to meet outside Notre Dame Cathedral. Peter Cushing always had, and still does have, a very healthy crowd of 'fans' in France! I only knew one of the people we were meeting in that crowd, one Jacqueline Carron! We had spoken on the phone and written a few times. this was PRE internet, remember! My French was a joke, but her English, perfect! The group we were meeting all knew each other, so we were the visitors. They were the kindest, most polite people, generous with time, they didn't want us to leave! Some brought their partners and Mum's along too! We walked, talked and eventually, all as planned spent the evening at Jacqueline's home, watching anything and everything, we had managed to record or copy of Peter Cushing on video!  Jacqueline lived a short distance from the Cathedral, and the towers could be seen from her living room. The following morning, we met again for a coffee and took pics of our new 'Cushing friends' under the shadow of the Cathedral towers....it was a special time...

WHAT A LOT OF MOGGIES! SEVERIN FILMS REGION FREE PC BLU RAY SETS THE STANDARD!

WITH THE EXCELLENT news of Severin Films region FREE, cleaned up blu ray release of #PeterCushing's 1977 'THE UNCANNY' in May, it's interesting to see just how many versions of the film, have been released over the years! Super 8mm, VHS, DVD all of various grades of quality, but very popular! There are MORE! Here are ten of the releases, over at the FACEBOOK PCAS FAN PAGE we are asking . .do YOU own any of the above releases???

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW, JUST CLICK HERE for YOUR copy with the SLIP COVER (Limited to ONLY 1,500 COPIES) 

IN 1977, legendary Amicus co-founder Milton Subotsky (ASYLUM, AND NOW THE SCREAMING STARTS) teamed with Canadian producer Claude Héroux (SCANNERS, VIDEODROME) for the anthology shocker CelluloidDiaries calls “highly entertaining…the best killer cat movie there is!” Peter Cushing, Ray Milland, Donald Pleasence, Samantha Eggar (THE BROOD), Susan Penhaligon (PATRICK), John Vernon (POINT BLANK) and Alexandra Stewart (GOODBYE EMMANUELLE) star in this grisly portmanteau about a paranoid writer (Cushing) who must convince his publisher (Milland) that all cats are unholy fiends based on three tales of kitty carnage. Directed by Denis Héroux (NAKED MASSACRE) from a screenplay by Michel Parry (XTRO) with cinematography by Harry Waxman (THE WICKER MAN), THE UNCANNY is now scanned from an inter-negative recently discovered in a London vault.

Special Features:
The Cat’s Victim – Interview with actress Susan Penhaligon
Trailer
Exclusive Slipcover (Available on Severin Website)
REGION FREE
RELASE DATE: May 28th 2019

DO YOU STILL HAVE THIS KENNER FIGURE?

THE KENNER Peter Cushing TARKIN figure. Most of you collectors will know the story of this Kenner series figure 🙂 But over at the facebook pcasuk fan page we are asking, just how many of you actually STILL have it? And there are a LOT of answers and comments!