CHARACTER OPTIONS: IT'S PETER CUSHING'S DR WHO AND THE DALEKS FIGURES IN EVERYTHING . . BUT THE BOX!

NEWS: Well, it doesn't mention the Peter Cushing Dr Who movies of 1965 /66 on the box ...or indeed Peter Cushing, but apparently, this doesn't matter.. strange for a dedicated huge fan following, that usually only deals in canons and specifics? Anyway, here goes:

 

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE COMPANY, Character Options : Character Options have announced an exclusive new #Dalek set, featuring the Daleks from the 1965 First Doctor adventure, The Chase.

 

Al Dewar, #CharacterOptions’ Head of Product Development, explains why these Daleks are a special collectible for Doctor Who fans: “Firstly it’s the final adventure for the last of the original #TARDIS companions, Ian and Barbara, but it also features the first and last appearance of a race of robotic creatures the #Mechanoids. Dalek aficionados will also know that it marks the appearance of some rather 'special guest' Dalek props that were seen in Episodes 3 and 5. At the time of filming the BBC were short of Dalek props having only three left. New Daleks were commissioned, but to fill the gap, they hired three Dalek props from the ‘#DoctorWho and The Daleks’ movie.” Er, that would be, 'DR WHO and the Daleks', then . . 😏

 

ABOVE: CALLUM MCKELVIE goes rummaging on Planet AARU in this PCASUK feature, complete with whole gallery of stills and images, for DALEK film #1 goodies! CLICK HERE! 

 

ABOVE: CALLUM MCKELVIE'S SECOND Peter Cushing Dr Who feature : CLICK HERE!

 

ABOVE: MORE ON PETER CUSHING and DR WHO, with CALLUM MCKELVIE's THIRD PCASUK feature with rare stills and gallery : HERE!

 

 

ABOVE: HUGE GALLERY of behind the scenes RARE PHOTOGRAPHS from BOTH Peter Cushing Dr Who films in this exclusive PCASUK Gallery! CLICK HERE!  

SO, THE 'JUNGLES OF MECHHANUS'  set  . . . . are two unaltered props glimpsed several times as part of the Dalek patrols pursuing the TARDIS crew through the Jungle, in the episode.  They are distinctively different, with light covers and skirt bases along with unique metallic colours, this set brings the fans and collectors a one-off unique TV Dalek #ActionFigure never produced before.

 

AH, RIGHT! Amazing! . . . great to see, Cushing's 'Dr Who' and the films, finally receive some connection and credit... no wait....😵😧😒😏

 

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FEAR OLD SCHOOL : STUDIO CANAL BLU RAY : 'FEAR IN THE NIGHT' PETER CUSHING : JUDY GEESON

HERE IS ONE OF MANY #PETERCUSHING FILMS, that gets kinda forgotten these days . . despite being a 'Hammer' film with a very entertaining and capable cast. Why am I reviewing a Cushing blu ray, though still available, that was released a while ago? Well, it was only a few days ago, I took my blu ray copy off the shelf and realised, the seal had not been broken or the copy viewed... and maybe now, with an hour or two free, I should watch it! So, slipping the film disc into the player, fighting with my headphones, I spent the next 90 mins in a much enjoyed Cushing/ Hammer bliss!! Granted, it's a smaller role than usual for Cushing in a Hammer film, but goodness, does he 'do a wonderful job'! Frightening indeed!

'FEAR IN THE NIGHT' was the last, and one of the very best, of the suspense thrillers that Hammer produced alongside the better-known Gothic horrors. Plot twists maybe predictable for some, but back in 1980, when I first saw this film.. I didn't see em a'coming... and if you do, you can't help but enjoy, the results!  

NAME DROP WARNING! 😟😴 I met and interviewed both Judy Geeson and Ralph Bates in 1984 and of course mentioned this film... I asked of their memories of working with Peter. It was revealing and very touching. THIS and a full review with screen caps and a few rare press colour stills are part of a 'Marcus Rambling' PCASUK review and gallery post at the website this weekend. If I can find it, I might even include pics from the interviews, and blow off the dust to reveal my terrible 1980's wedge 'Spandau Ballet' hair cut, created by 'Maurice Hairdresser to the Stars' and fashioned with what looks like a blunt bread knife! 😨😁 So, lots to humour, inform and entertain, that may get you to order your own blu ray copy! Do you have your copy of the Studio Canal release? Have you seen the film and if so, would you have happily shot a certain cast member TWICE!? 😳😠😏- Keep safe everyone! - Marcus

A RARE PHOTOGRAPH of #Peter Cushing, #JudyGeeson and director script writer, #JimmySangster on set during the making of #Hammerfilms #FearIntheNight . .

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IF YOU WANT TO GET AHEAD GET A CAP? PLUS HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANE MERROW : NIGHT OF THE BIG HEAT!

AS THE O'L SAYING GOES  . . 'If you want to get ahead....get a hat!' But cap?? Funny thing, I never had him down as a flap cap wearer. Did you? Christopher Lee in Vienna Austria in 2004... with flat cap!

TODAY WE MARK actress JANE MERROW'S BIRTHDAY, born today August 26th 1941! Merrow is an actress with a very impressive CV, for sure, having worked in both the UK and the USA in both film and television. She is noted here, not only because she played the role of young Angela Roberts in the Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee 1967 film, NIGHT OF THE BIG HEAT, but also because she appeared in so many classic and respected television fantasy drama series, from 'Mystery and Imagination' in 1966, to 'The Avengers' and  'The Prisoner' in 67, 'Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)' in 69, 'UFO' in 1970. She held three episodes of the US 'The Six Million Dollar Man' and even 'The Incredible Hulk' in 1981.

 

MORE ON 'NIGHT OF THE BIG HEAT' in the PCASUK feature written by Callum McKelvie, with a match with Cushing's OTHER Island movie, 'ISLAND OF TERROR', all with stills, images, gifs and MORE : RIGHT HERE! 

MERROW STARTED BY PLAYING the true classical heroine on the late 50's/early 60's stage, she moved to film and TV in 1961. Only earning bit roles in such film fare as 'Don't Bother to Knock' (1961), 'The Phantom of the Opera' (1962) and The Wild and the Willing (1962), her stature grew quickly on TV, bringing forth a noticeable gift of fragility and honesty to her lovely lasses. Standout roles included Oliver Twist's mother in the mini-series 'Oliver Twist' (1962); Rosamund in the TV series 'Jane Eyre' (1963); and the title role in the mini-series 'Licia dolce Licia' (1987) opposite Bill Travers.

 

ON THE OTHERS SIDE OF THE COIN, Jane also became a modern, trendy presence with a lead role opposite Oliver Reed in the film 'The System' (1964) and enjoyed her finest hour on film with the Golden Globe-nominated role of young Alais, the adored young mistress to King Henry, in the Oscar-winning historical drama 'The Lion in Winter' (1968) opposite Peter O'Toole and Katharine Hepburn.

 

MERROW MOVED TO AMERICA, in the early 1970's and enjoyed a transcontinental career for nearly two decades. In sporadic films, she played an Irish lass partnered with American criminal Beau Bridges in 'Adam's Woman' (1970); a blind woman in the Hammer film horror 'Hands of the Ripper' (1971) with Eric Porter; the crime thriller 'Diagnosis: Murder' (1974) starring Christopher Lee and Judy Geeson, 'The Appointment' (1981) with Edward Woodward; and the romantic dramedy 'Almosting It' (2016). On stage, she appeared in a production of 'Arsenic and Old Lace' starring Zsa Zsa Gabor and Eva Gabor in Chicago! Merrow was plentifully seen on America TV programs such as 'Mission: Impossible', 'Alias Smith and Jones,' 'Mannix', 'Cannon', 'Barnaby Jones','Hart', 'St. Elsewhere', 'Days of Our Lives', 'McGuyver' and 'Airwolf.'! She also graced several TV-mini-series and TV-movies including 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' (1972),

SHE WAS SEEN LESS into the 1990's, when Jane returned to England at that time to run a family business. She did star as Vivien Leigh in a one-woman stage tribute that opened in, of course, Atlanta. In 2009, she returned to the stage as Emilia in Shakespeare's "The Comedy of Errors." She continues to divide her time between homes in London and Boise, Idaho, where I hope today, she sits, taking a rest, a glass of something nice in hand with friends and family 😉 From us all, A VERY Happy Birthday JANE MERROW... we wish you a BIG HAPPY and COOL DAY... and well, not too HOT!  😁😏😃 

 

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INGRID PITT UNCUT! FLASHBACK FILES INTERVIEW 2000 : MAYBE OLDER BUT SHE STILL HAS BITE!

NAME DROP ALERT! 😖😟😆Back in the day, I had the very good fortune, to met up with Ingrid Pitt from around 1980 until 1995, we did some great and very amusing interviews too. Ingrid was a beautiful woman, very special and made everyone who met her feel very special too! I always thought, that the best chat was before and after the interviews though.

DURING THE YEARS when she was still working as an actress, you knew she told you 'things' that were off the record, that would make your ears singe, she spoke her mind and wasn't afraid to 'lay it out' with those she trusted... she never told you 'don't share that' but you just knew, and also wanted to protect her reputation and other people's involved! as Ingrid got older, she was further away from the industry and was writing... and was easier to meet, approach at conventions and events... and this is how THIS priceless interview I imagine, came into being...

MY GOOD FRIEND, Roel Haanen of the 'Netherlands' . . editor of a website called, 'Flash Back Files', had in his possession a mass of interviews with film folk, actors, directors, writers, that he had once had published in a Dutch print magazine which still exists. The problem was, it has a small readership in The Netherlands, so the rest of the world, didn't get the opportunity to be able to read the interviews.

CUT TO THIS YEAR, and Roel gets in touch to say, he is making good progress with the interviews and has started REPOSTING them onto a new site, translated into English for the first time and available to everyone, for free! He had a great interview with Ingrid Pitt, he would love to relaunch on the site... and I knew what was coming next... but this time, as he had more room on his page, UNCUT! 

ROEL ASKED IF THERE would ever be room on our PCASUK FB Fan Page and website, to share a link for the interview. After reading the interview and coming up for air, I said we would love to help and that I would even create a new banner, rather than just a link, he and the interview, along with Ingrid's very funny and 'gloves off' banter was the Ingrid, I remembered and deserved it!

IT REALLY WAS WONDERFUL to see that, even though she was older, wiser and still having fun.. she had lost none of her edge. She was as intelligent, quick and witty... with just as much bite, as she ever had!

BLESS INGRID AND THANK YOU ROEL for this opportunity, to share this gem here! This is YOUR LINK IS RIGHT HERE! Enjoy, you'll learn much... 😏😃Have Fun. We sure do miss her . . . - Marcus 

 

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TIME TO RETIRE : GET MY HAT COAT CANE AND CHILL : CUSHING 1986

REQUESTED REPOST, Question and an Answer! Following the success of our colour Peter Cushing photograph during his appearance at Bray studios, here is another that has been requested, taken on the announcement of his retirement in 1986! Smart, in natty hat and cane! 😊

.. AND TO THE MESSAGE AND QUESTION, I received this morning.. ' Marcus, Is it really necessary, for you to use the 'exclamation mark' so often in your comments? It's excessive, annoying, tatty and quite camp.'... Oh, Thank goodness for that, I thought I was letting things slip ........! 😃

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WHEN PETER CUSHING FLEW IN TO THE 'BATTLE FOR BRAY' 1990

WHEN PETER CUSHING Flew in to 'Save Bray Studios!' Back in 1980, what was once the impressive home of Hammer films, Bray Studios, was under serious threat of being 'sold off'... the site and studio, despite being used by other production companies for over 40 years since Hammer left, demolished, making it valuable real estate, for the building of luxury apartments. Several names from the entertainment world, joined forces to raise awareness to the cause of 'Save Bray Studios'.

ON AUGUST 9TH 1990, Peter joined a tv news and press day at the studios, flying in by helicopter, for a chat with the press and photo ops, bringing a high profile to the cause. Bray studios was of course where many of Cushing's and Christopher Lee's classic Dracula and Hammer film were produced. It was a well fought battle, but I think everyone knew, despite the efforts of the 'Save Bray' campaign . . it would be a battle lost.

OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, the Bray studio empty lots and production buildings have been demolished. The major 'mansion house' Down Place, used in many of the Cushing's Hammer films like, Dracula (1958) The Mummy (1959) The Curse and Revenge of Frankenstein.. and so many others, despite being in a quite a poor state, was privately purchase, and is being cleaned up and internally restored as I write. It will be used as a private residence.

Bray Down House in 2015 : Bray Studios is centred around Down Place, country estate built in 1750 by the Tonson family. It became residence of the Hartford family between 1835 and 1901. In 1951, Hammer Film Productions, in search of a base to make their budget horror films, settles on the derelict Down Place. Shooting in country houses avoided the need to build sets, and usually also meant large grounds were available for location work. As the one year lease on Down Place ran out and a union strike prevented a move to a studio, Hammer decide to build a studio in the grounds of Down Place, and name it Bray Studios, after the local town.

 

In 1965 Mr Ernest Oliver, owner of the adjacent Oakley Court, dies, leaving the Court uninhabited. 

 

The building became an ideal setting for many Bray productions, especially featuring in Hammer Films such as 'The Old Dark House', the 'St Trinian's' film series, 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show', 'Half a Sixpence' and 'Murder By Death'. 

 

Hammer sold Bray Studios in 1970 and it then became a renowned centre for specials effects teams, e.g. 'Space 1999' and the model and miniature filming for notable films including 'Alien' (1979; 'Reign of Fire' (2002), 'The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus' (2009) Over the years, the studio lots were also used for pre-production rehearsals by many groups such as Radiohead, Kings of Leon, Amy Winehouse and Live Aid back in 1985.  

 

 

It was announced back in 2013 by Neville Hendricks, the then owner of Bray Studios, that the studios are no longer viable and were sold to property developers. There was a high profile local campaign supported by many past stars such as Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee and Richard O'Brian to save the studios but if failed. In July 2015, it was announced that the listed Down Place building would be restored and converted into luxury apartments and the sound stages and workshops would be demolished to make way for new houses.

 

 

Recently however, like many of it's Hammer resident vampires of old, it proved it wasn't done just yet.. Elton John's bio-pic 'Rocketman' and the BBC 2020 retelling of a tale in a grand three part spectacular saw THE COUNT return to his old haunt in 'Dracula' produced and written by Mark Gatiss and Stephan Moffat! This was filmed, while the final plans, for the bull-dozer....have not won the day yet! 

 

 

 

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CHRISTOPHER LEE : ACTORS LEARN YOUR TRADE!

#ChristopherLee Saturday! Advice for young actors.....

 

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