#TOOCOOTUESDAY! Containing the COMPLETE series, remastered and on Blu Ray for the first time..... the 'Hammer House of Horror' tv series......OUT NOW!
SPECIAL FEATURES IN THIS BOX SET! Guardian of the Abyss Episode – Widescreen Version : Commercial Break Stings: Rude Awakening Opening Montage Raw Takes : Image Gallery and PDF Material
#TOOCOOLTUESDAY!
HAMMER FILMS 'SHE'! Ursula Andress greets baby Christina Lee, daughter of Christopher
and Gitta. Peter can be seen in costume of Major Holly bottom right . . .
IF YOU LIKE what you see here at our website, you'll love our daily themed posts at our PCAS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE.
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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
coordinator since 1979. PCAS is based in the UK and USA . .
AND SO TO OUR FIRST#MOMENTSOFTERRORMONDAY! Every MONDAY we'll be exploring 'MOMENTS' from the films and television work of Peter Cushing's career, moments that over the decades have had us perched on the edge of our seats. This MONDAY we have the whole unedited story from Peter Cushing's contribution to the Amicus film, 'TALES FROM THE CRYPT' (1972) entitled 'Poet Justice'. For those who know Cushing's work, it's one of his best. It certainly has moments that fit our remit, but also great pathos and sadness . . . Without revealing any plot details, spoilers or giving anything away, all I will say is . .. if you have never had the chance to see Peter Cushing's AWARD WINNING performance of Arthur Grimsdyke, you are in for treat... I will say no more, except . . ..ENJOY!
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
coordinator since 1979. PCAS is based in the UK and USA . .
LAST WEEKEND I examined in-depth the firstof Peter Cushing’s two ‘Dr Who’ movies,
1965’s Dr Who and the Daleks. I made the decision to examine links between
the film and TV version in an attempt to understand the hate piled towards it,
a great deal of which I feel is explicitly aimed at the first film. Indeed, a
lot of people’s issues with the Who movies (continuity issues, Cushing’s performance,
the child-like atmosphere) are certainly toned down in Daleks: Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. For one, Terry Nation’s original
television script on which this story was based, 'The Dalek Invasion of Earth', is a LOT darker than 1963’s 'The Daleks', meaning this film is a
little bit more serious than its predecessor.
SET DURING A DALEK OCCUPATION there is heavy use of WW2 imagery,
including camps, the black market, a Dalek commandant, Daleks giving Nazi-esque
salutes and a rubble strewn blitz inspired London. Of course Subotsky has done
his best to make it all ‘kiddie’ friendly but the essence of the piece remains.
Perhaps responding to this, Cushing tailors his portrayal of the Doctor, becoming
a firmer, stronger figure, the leader type that is visible in the television
series but lacking in the first film.
ALSO GONE ARE any explicit references to
the building of the Tardis and the nature of the Doctor, all that is actually stated
is that his name is still ‘Dr. Who’ and not ‘The Doctor’. Of course these
elements from the first film never particularly troubled myself, it was simply
the nature of the adaptation. Perhaps though it’s one of the reasons that this
sequel receives a slightly warmer reception than its predecessor.
ONCE AGAIN THE NATION SCRIPT receives something of an
overhaul, streamlining the narrative of the six-part television serial but
(like the first film) keeping the rough story structure. Notable emissions this
time round include a sequence in which the Daleks attempt to fire bomb London,
a journey through an Alligator infested sewer and most notably the ‘Slyther’. The
Slyther appeared in episodes four and five (individually titled The End of Tomorrow and The Walking Alley)and was identified as a ‘pet’ of the Black Dalek leader and a sort
of guard dog.
ONE HAS TO WONDER WHY on earth this sequence was exorcised,
particularly when we have an overly long and (admittedly painful) scene in
which Bernard Cribbins participates in a slap-stick comedy routine with a bunch
of Robomen. However several of the changes are welcome. Whilst the TV version
is designed for an entirely different medium and not to be watched in one go,
it does drag. Several characters (such as Ann Davies’s ‘Jenny’) are exorcised
completely and for the better, whilst other characters such as Craddock are
given far more dramatic deaths.
BERNARD CRIBBINS policeman, Tom is an entirely
new character and the wrap-around element of him failing to prevent a robbery
and then being taken back in time by the Doctor in time is a nice opening and
closing segment as well as providing an easy way in for viewers unfamiliar with
the premise of the television programme. Also noticeably different is the way
the Daleks are destroyed by the ‘magnetic core of the earth’ rather than being
blown up. One suspects this is to account for the fact that Daleks ALL OVER the
earth need to be destroyed and not just those in Bedfordshire.
VISUALLY, like its predecessor, the film is a big
step-up from its smaller scale television counter-part but this time, even more
so. The Robomen and the Dalek Saucer are wonderful designs, that far surpass
the television versions of both which were noticeably cheap looking, even for a
sixties BBC budget. Indeed, the movies redesigns even managed to find their way
onto the cover of the 1977 television novelisation.
ONCE AGAIN ACTION sequences
are increased and expanded, the sequence in which the truck drives through the hordes
of Daleks is particularly memorable as is the wonderful final shot of the
saucer getting caught by the magnetism and sucked into the ground where it
crashes. The visual style of the film is also a little darker than the first,
even the Daleks base is an odd faded lime colour when compared to the bright
oranges and blue of the first film.
CUSHING'S DOCTOR TOO is given a more
restrained make up job, the hair slicked back instead of wild, and the
moustache trimmed and refined…Which brings me of course to Cushing’s performance. I
hinted in my last piece that I found his performance in this film to be
superior to the one given in the first film, watching them back to back however
I noticed not only that but how different
the two are. He’s still a warm, grandfatherly figure but here he is
slightly more resilient, far more active and seems to have adopted some of the
‘master planner’ aspects of his television counter-part.
WHEREAS IN THE FIRST FILM Cushing appeared constantly stooped over with a voice that was slightly
mumbly and strained, here he speaks in a clipped-upper class accent and walks
with his back straight. Sequences such as when he expects Brockley to betray
him in order to find his way into the Dalek base, give Cushing an opportunity
to demonstrate this by smirking slightly at his own cleverness, before slipping
his gloves on, staring at the Daleks gravely and giving Brockley one last look,
before being led away.
WHEN BROCKLEY BECAME A CANDIDATE FOR OUR #MONSTERMONDAY THEMED MONDAY AT THE PCAS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE
HOWEVER IT ALL PALES in comparison to those final sequences within the Dalek base, from
entering and going immediately to the microphone (giving the audience some hint
of what he’s planning) to his final speech towards the Daleks. His
confrontation with them in the final moments of the first film, where he and
Susan are caught in a force field as the Daleks prepare to activate their bomb,
shows him as somewhat weak- indeed that’s what the story requires, as Ian
bursts in with the Thals and saves the day. Here however, it is the Doctor who
is in charge and Cushing knows this, strutting determinedly around the set as
he explains the Daleks fear of Magnetism. It is without doubt one of his
greatest on-screen moments.
THE SUPPORTING CAST here is even better, with Bernard
Cribbins giving a slightly more restrained performance than Roy Castle, but
still expected to participate in a number of ludicrous slap stick moments.
Roberta Tovey returns as Susan and works surprisingly well with the films best
supporting actor, Andrew Keir. Keir is ridiculously entertaining as the gruff
rebel Wyler and his scenes with Susan as they escape through the forest provide
a few nice moments in a mostly action packed film.
IN AN INTERESTING side note it appears there was plans
for a spin-off radio series to be produced and a pilot entitled ‘Journey into
Time’ was recorded, with Cushing in the lead. However very little material
remains documenting the show and the pilot itself has never been found.
ALL IN ALL: 'Invasion Earth 2150 A.D' is clearly
the superior film. Now that’s not to criticise or lambast Dr. Who and the
Daleks, but I feel that due to the continuity issues that are more strongly
expressed in the first film, the sequel is often over-shadowed. Now honestly I
enjoy both films. There the perfect example of Sunday afternoon entertainment, now
issues they may have but very few films don’t. The entertainment factor for the
Dalek movies is so high and they look SO good, that to miss out on them is to
do yourself a huge disservice. Not only that, but Cushing’s portrayal in the
first film is often so criticised that the subtle changes made by him between
the two films often go unnoticed. A shame, as Cushing’s Doctor in this film
rivals some of the best television incarnations.
PART ONE OF CALLUM MCKELVIE'S TWO PART FEATURE : 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
coordinator since 1979. PCAS is based in the UK and USA . .
#REMEMBERING Carrie Fisher . . . it's a year today since Carrie Fisher last
birthday... these are the visuals I used on her birthday banner last
year. It's still very sad. No one could ever have guessed, that
something so tragic would happen just a few weeks later... We Remember
Carie Fisher today, on what would have been her 61st Birthday . . . .Many of you are sharing your thoughts and memories over at our PCAS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE POST ... Please come and join us . . .
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
coordinator since 1979. PCAS is based in the UK and USA . .
#FRANKENSTEINFRIDAY!
A lovely and rare transparency of Peter Cushing with 'that head' from
the 'Curse of Frankenstein' (1957) served up on a background platter of
the ultra rare press-book from the same film...
This is our last #frankensteinfriday post today, and in fact for a
little while. I am putting the day away to bye byes. I think you are all
a little Frankenstein Friday'd OUT! SO a new themed day next FRIDAY and
also NEXT MONDAY #MonsterMonday has a long well earned sleep too, so TWO new Cushing Themed DAYS next week. - 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
coordinator since 1979. PCAS is based in the UK and USA .
#THROWBACKTHURSDAY!
Here's the SECOND in our weekly series of 'lesser seen Peter Cushing
Roles'. Last week, 'Some May Live' this week, it's an episode which some
of you in the UK may remember, from the tv series The ZOO GANG, called
The Counterfeit Trap (1974) Peter Cushing plays Judge Gautier . .. .
another accent! Let us know what you think about this little gem! BTW
Our season is playing out at our PCAS YOUTUBE channel and PCAS FACEBOOK FAN PAGEtoo . . . .
REMEMBERING:
Born today, Simon Ward. If you take a look at the raft of obituaries
for Simon Ward who sadly passed away in 2012, it's a common fault that
they state that his career was kick started when he was 'plucked from
obscurity' and appeared in Richard Richard Attenborough’s 'Young
Winston' in 1972. Maybe that is how the press and publicity agents
remember it....but for Ward, it was not so.
WARD ACKNOWLEDGED Hammer films 'Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed' made in 1969
as the film 'that started it all' and the generous help and assistance
from his co star Peter Cushing, that made anything afterwards
possible... In a interview with PCAS in 1979, Ward acknowledges his
debt to Cushing, who he said, '..had time and patience with me. I knew
nothing of the technique needed for working with a camera or about the
studio floor. Peter was extremely kind, taking time to explain the
simple but very important rules of pace and nuance, so the editor can
get in there. This and try to not fall over the cables. He did so much
for me. Quite extraordinary. I mean, no one has the time to do that,
everyone is busy. But he did it for me, many times through out the film.
And it's something I've always remembered, and not come across since...
a very kind, gentle, gracious man. He really did save my skin'.
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
coordinator since 1979. PCAS is based in the UK and USA .
