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HAMMER FILM CUSHING AND LEE GIFS WITH SUPPORTING FEATURES AND GALLERIES

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CHRISTOPHER LEE'S DRACULA IN DRACULA AD 1972 SNARLS AT PETER CUSHING'S VAN HELSING ONLY REVENGE ON HIS MIND


FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE HAMMER FILMS DRACULA / VAN HELSING
SAGA IN 'THE TRIALS OF VAN HELSING' PART ONE AND TWO :HERE 
 

PETER CUSHING'S BARON FRANKENSTEIN PLEADS WITH HIS FRIEND, PAUL KREMP TO SAVE HIS LIFE IN HAMMER FILMS 'THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN' (1957)


 FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE FIRST IN THE HAMMER FILMS 'CUSHING FRANKENSTEIN SERIES' , THE FILM THAT LAUNCHED CHRISTOPHER LEE'S CAREER , WITH A BARON THAT SHOCKED THE WORLD: THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN WITH VINTAGE PHOTO  GALLERY AND MORE HERE
 

ARMED WITH A SILVER BULLET CUSHING'S VAN HELSING HAS THE COUNT CORNERED  IN 'THE SATANIC RITES OF DRACULA'


READ ALL ABOUT THE LAST STAND OFF BETWEEN CUSHING'S VAN HELSING AND LEE'S DRACULA IN 'THE SATANIC RITES OF DRACULA' FEATURE WITH GREAT PHOTO GALLERY AND BEHIND THE SCENES STILLS  HERE 


THE DEAD ARE AWAKE AND WALKING AND BENT ON REVENGE : CHRISTOPHER LEE AS KHARIS PAYS CUSHING'S JOHN BANNING A VISIT IN HAMMER FILMS 'THE MUMMY' FROM 1959


READ ALL ABOUT THE HISTORY OF 'MUMMY CINEMA' AND THE HAMMER FILMS 1959 RELEASE, IN OUR EXTENSIVE VINTAGE GALLEY AND FEATURE HERE


 DRACULA'S GRIP OF TERROR  REACHES ACROSS A HUNDRED YEARS TO 1972 AND NOW BRINGS HIS REVENGE ON VAN HELSING HIMSELF IN HAMMER FILMS, 'DRACULA AD 1972'


CHRISTOPHER LEE AND FAMILY WITH PETER CUSHING ON THE SET OF  DRACULA AD 1972. MORE BEHIND THE SCENES RARE PICS IN OUR FEATURE HERE 


The OFFICIAL Peter Cushing Appreciation Society FACEBOOK FAN PAGE celebrates the life and career of Peter Cushing. Acting as a supplement to this website, the PCAS Facebook Fan Page is updated several times DAILY with features, rare photographs, news, and prize competitions. Now with OVER 20,000 followers world wide we invite you to join us! Just click the LINK HERE 

THE LEGACY OF FRANKENSTEIN : FRANKENSTEINFRIDAYS

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Here and at the FACEBOOK FAN PAGE EVERY #Frankensteinfriday


You can find a series of features written for us by Bruce Hallenbeck, entitled, 'THAT FEMININE TOUCH: WOMEN IN GOTHIC: The Actresses of the Hammer Frankenstein Series' here on this website. Below are some links to a few from the series: 


THAT FEMININE TOUCH: WOMEN IN GOTHIC: PART FOUR SUSAN DENBERG: HERE 


THAT FEMININE TOUCH: WOMEN IN GOTHIC: PART FIVE VERONICA CARLSON : HERE 



THAT FEMININE TOUCH: WOMEN IN GOTHIC : PART ONE: HAZEL COURT AND VALERIE GAUNT : CLICK HERE

Just CLICK HERE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY YVONNE MONLAUR

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Join us in wishing the lovely Yvonne Monlaur a very happy birthday known for her roles in Circus Of Horrors (1960) with Anton Diffring, Terror Of The Tongs (1961) with Christopher Lee and The Brides Of Dracula (1960) with Peter Cushing.


Catch our FEATURE and EXTENSIVE PHOTOGRAPH GALLERY here on the website, by clicking : HERE 



And a full feature on Yvonne Monlaur and Christopher Lee in Hammer films 'TERROR OF THE TONG' can be found at our sister site theblackboxclub.com : HERE


VAN HELSING VS DRACULA: HAMMER DRACULA VAN HELSING STAKING GIF

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Peter Cushing nails another one... in Hammer films DRACULA / Horror of Dracula (1958)


In our TWO PART feature 'THE TRIALS OF VAN HELSING'you can study our extensive gallery of original vintage photographs and read all about the Van Helsing saga that was built up by the ever imaginative script writers at  Hammer films and brought to the screen in DRACULA / HORROR OF DRACULA, THE BRIDES OF DRACULA , DRACULA AD 1972 , THE SATANIC RITES OF DRACULA AND FINALLY THE LEGEND OF THE SEVEN GOLDEN VAMPIRES...  and how Peter Cushing's Van Helsing did indeed, pit his wits against the Lord of the undead, Count Dracula...and any of his deadly spawn that he come across along the way.... !


...and by the aid of dazzling internet and computer technology, through GIFS and clips, see the BEST OF, how Cushing's Van Helsing did indeed, fight the good fight...and won!


VAN HELSING vs DRACULA ..or how Peter Cushing's vampire hunter did fight the good fight, will be posted here, shortly.....


Enjoying the posts here and want to see more...MUCH more every day? Come and join in the fun, and celebrate the life and career of Peter Cushing with a great bunch of people EVER DAY at our Peter Cushing Appreciation Society Facebook Fan Page. Now with a folloqing of over 20,000 Peter Cushing fans and growing daily, all you need do is click  HERE to join in the fun! We look forward to meeting you!

REMEMBERING MICHAEL CARRERAS : HAMMERHEAD

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Today we mark the birthday of the late Michael Carreras who was born on December 21, 1927 in London, England. He was a producer and director at Hammer films. He served as Executive producer on many of Peter Cushing's films at Hammer including, DRACULA / Horror of Dracula(1958), The Abominable Snowman (1957) THE REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1958) THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES (1959) and THE MUMMY(1959) As well as serving director duties on some of Hammer lesser known titles like, THE LOST CONTINENT (1968) and THE CURSE OF THE MUMMY'S TOMB (1964).... despite leaving the company at one point, he was back and still hanging in there with Cushing in 1972, with DRACULA AD 1972, after taking over the company from his father, Sir James Carreras Michael Carreras left us on April 19, 1994 in London.

The LINKS in the column above link to some of the items and features below:


High Jinks in Post DRACULA Publicity : HERE 


Monster and Balloons at our SISTER WEBSITE theblackboxclub.comHERE


THE CURSE OF THE MUMMY'S TOMB REVIEW AND RARE STILLS 
GALLERY AT OUR SISTER WEBSITE : HERE


Come and JOIN over 20,000 other Peter Cushing fans at our
facebook fan page just by clicking HERE

MONSTER FROM HELL HITS 41ST ANNIVERSARY : LIMITED EDITION LOBBY CARDS COMPETITION

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It's forty one years this year, since the US release of Hammer films last Frankenstein film. Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell starring Peter Cushing, Shane Briant and Madeline Smith and superb cast of supporting character actors.


Before the release of HAMMER FILMS REMASTERED DUO BLU RAY / DVD of FRANKENSTEIN and the MONSTER from HELL in 2014 the Peter Cushing Appreciation Society UK were honoured to be  invited to take part in the pre release promotion campaign. We launched an exclusive competition in conjunction with HAMMER FILMS and THE HORROR CHANNEL and arranged an interview with Peter Cushing's co star, SHANE BRIANT. We arranged that the questions for this interview though, were to be set by the followers of this website and our Peter Cushing Appreciation Society Facebook Fan Page. 


From the many, many questions that were sent in along with Hammer films, Shane Briant and ourselves, we picked the best SEVEN. These questions and Shane Briant's answered were then released on a LIMITED EDITION of LOBBY CARDS. Published especially for the release of the film. Winners won a set of lobby cards, the lobby card containing the best question was also signed by Shane, the runner up winners as well as making it to the LIMITED LOBBY SET, also won a copy of the Blu Ray DUO DVD release of FRANKENSTEIN and the MONSTER from HELL. 

Presented below are some of the promotional materials, as well as ALL SEVEN of the Limited edition lobby cards and the winning questions.



This wonderfully remastered edition of Peter Cushing's LAST Frankenstein feature is still available to purchase and can be purchased HERE


JOIN US at our Pter Cushing Appreciation Society FACEBOOK FAN PAGE 
Updated Daily : Competitions : Features: Rare Stills and News HERE

BORN ON THIS DAY: WE REMEMBER FREDDIE FRANCIS

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Today we remember the wonderfully talented director and cinematographer Freddie Francis, who worked for both Hammer and Amicus, directing such films as THE EVIL OF FRANKENSTEIN and DR TERROR'S HOUSE OF HORRORS and many more …


Hammer Films and Universal studios REBOOT the Frankenstein story with Freddie Francis directing THE EVIL OF FRANKENSTEIN HERE


MORE Freddie Francis and Peter Cushing THE EVIL OF FRANKENSTEIN HERE 


The work of Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee under Francis direction in some of the films they made for AMICUS films is explored in PART THREE and FOUR and FIVE of  A TALENT TO TERRIFY HERE


Part FOUR of our series THE AMICUS FILMS OF PETER CUSHING also includes FREDDIE FRANCIS work with Cushing on Amicus films, 'TALES FROM THE CRYPT.


Finally, in our suggested Francis features, we take a close look at the 'magic of Francis' direction, in what he always suggested was an improvised scene in Amicus films, THE SKULL. Just click HERE


A VERY Merry Christmas to all our FREINDS and FOLLOWERS here at our website and at our very busy, FACEBOOK FAN PAGE.  UPDATED DAILY and through out the Festive Season! Please come join us!

NEWS UPDATE: CUSHING'S COAT BRINGS IN THE MONEY FOR HOSPICE CHARITY

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You may remember back last month how we reported on the story of Peter Cushing's coat being auctioned on ebay for a charity close to his heart, The Pilgrim's Hospice in Canterbury, Kent. Well, the good news is, after a battle of bids, the Burberry coat owned and worn by Peter (see pic) brought a thumping £690.00! That's 1026.13 US Dollars....! There was also a cardigan that also belonged to Peter Cushing that was for auction too..and finally went for around £250.00. All this is great news for the Pilgrim's Hospice, who do such sterling work for individuals and families throughout Kent. I think Peter would have been amazed by this. So, congratulations to the winning bidder and THANK YOU ..a big thank you, to Bernard Broughton too, who donated the coat and cardigan, and very quietly helps the Hospice with various items for auction. Thank YOU Bernard!


A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS to all our friends and followers of this website and our Peter Cushing Appreciation Society Facebook Fan Page! 

Many thanks for your support during the year. If you aren't a follower of
our facebook fan page, you can join us just by clicking HERE 

ANOTHER GREAT GIF GALLERY OF HAMMER CUSHING LEE MOMENTS NUMBER 3

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MORE PETER CUSHING GIFS TO ADD TO YOUR WEBSITE, 
FAN PAGE OR BLOG! Just right click and save!


PETER CUSHING AS VAMPIRE HUNTER VAN HELSING GIVES DRACULA THAT HELPING PUSH WITH HIS SPADE, JUST MAKE SURE HE'S A DEAD'UN!
 

The last of THREE GALLERIES of RARE photographs taking a look behind the scenes on the shooting of the prologue from Hammer films, DRACULA AD 1972


MORE from Cushing's ever popular VAMPIRE HUNTER VAN HELSING 
Here in Hammer films, first DRACULA film, 'DRACULA /HORROR OF DRACULA from 1958.


Here's our FEATURE with with FULL SUPPORTING GALLERY of rare publicity photographs from Hammer's DRACULA


A dramatic spin from Peter Cushing's Baron Frankenstein in Hammer


Our FEATURE on 'FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED' with gallery of RARE production photographs can be found by clicking the link above.


MORE can be found on Peter Cushing's fifth Hammer Frankenstein film and his co star, VERONICA CARLSON  in Part Five of our series written by Bruce Hallenbeck, ''WOMEN IN GOTHIC: THAT FEMININE TOUCH' 


The sun goes down, and The Count Awakes. Christopher Lee as Count
Dracula in Hammer films, DRACULA / HORROR OF DRACULA


Find out more about the 'Cushing and Lee Chemistry'
 in 'A PARTNERSHIP IN DEADLY DEEDS' Part Two of 'A TALENT TO TERRIFY: The Twenty Two Films of Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. As always, lots of photographs and rare production stills!


 A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR FRIENDS AND FOLLOWERS
HERE AT OUR WEBSITE AND OUR FACEBOOK FAN PAGE.

Not a member of our PCAS Facebook Fan Page?
Just click HERE and CLICK LIKE on the page! 

AFTER THE GIFTS, TURKEY, THE PUDDING : TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE TO WIN!

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Ho, Ho, Ooooh! This will make someone's Christmas extra
 special this year!


Competition at our Peter Cushing facebook fan page
 

CHRISTMAS WITH THE CUSHING'S: HOW OUR CELEBRATED COUPLE ENJOYED THE FESTIVE SEASON THROUGH THE YEARS.

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CHRISTMAS WITH THE CUSHING'S 1#: During times of 'resting' Peter made some earnings by decorating head scarves. Something that was part of his many hobbies became a source of income in the mid 1940's...one such headscarf he discovered was owned by one of the Royal family! The one we feature here was featured in many magazines, it was one of the most decorated...which her eventually presented to his wife, Helen as a Christmas gift in 1946.. Below Peter and Helen with THAT headscarf..and the note that accompanier that gift, Christmas 1946....


CHRISTMAS WITH THE CUSHING'S 2#: It's Christmas 1956 and this year along with Peter's traditional skilfully hand crafted Christmas card, Helen gets another one via the Midland Bank...with no doubt a Christmas cheque! The inscription reads, in Peter's hand : 'To my darling Helen from your most loving Peter' the envelope is inscribed 'For Darling Helen'...


CHRISTMAS WITH THE CUSHING'S 3#: Peter's hand crafted cards for Helen were quite a work of art. Her Birthday's, their anniversary, her return home from a trip away or as in this case, Christmas ... Helen would be presented with another of her husband's exceptional beautiful cards.


CHRISTMAS WITH THE CUSHING'S 4#: Again Peter Cushing applied his skills to making beautiful jewellery, in this case a pair of earrings which he again gifted to his wife, Helen.


TRIVIA: Peter Cushing give up most of his many hobbies after the passing of his wife in 1971. He did however make bracelets for both actresses, Joanna Lumley and Ingrid Pitt. Lumley starred as Cushing's Grand daughter, Jessica Van Helsing in Hammer's 'The Satanic Rites of Dracula' and  Ingrid who also became a good friend of Helen Cushing, co starred with Cushing in 'The Vampire Lovers' and 'The House That Dripped Blood'.


Come and join us at our PCAS facebook fan page by just click here
and LIKE on the facebook page: HERE 

FIRST EDITION CUSHING AUTOBIOGRAPHIES AND CHRISTOPHER LEE LORD OF MISRULE: COMPETITION

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Here's our CHRISTMAS COMPETITION! WIN Peter Cushing's TWO AUTOBIOGRAPHIES. BOTH first editions and a copy of Christopher Lee's autobiography, 'LORD OF MISRULE'.


Just answer BOTH questions and send your ANSWERS to theblackboxclub@gmail.com. This competition CLOSES JANUARY 1st 2016 MIDNIGHT. 


FOLLOW OUR TUMBLR ACCOUNT : HERE


JOIN OUR PETER CUSHING APPRECIATION SOCIETY FACEBOOK 
FAN PAGE ACCOUNT : HERE 

TRAILER: THE HISTORY OF AMICUS FILMS: DONALD FEARNEY'S DEFINITIVE DOCUMENTARY DVD

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ABOVE LOW RES TRAILER
Amicus Vault Of Horrors The definitive documentary on Amicus films… Packed with UNSEEN footage and production photographs. Includes interviews that tell the behind scenes story on the production of such Amicus classics as Tales From The Crypt, Dr Terrors House Of Horrors… in fact EVERY film that Amicus ever produced! Duration: 146 minutes. Region Free. Available from pay-pal account: PEVANS113@BTINTERNET.COM
£20.00 includes P&P anywhere worldwide


FIND OUT MORE ABOUT 'AMICUS: VAULT OF HORRORS' FROM OUR FULL REVIEW AND GALLERY OF SCREEN CAPTURES: HERE



JOIN US AT THE OFFICIAL FACEBOOK FAN PAGE OF THE PETER CUSHING APPRECIATION SOCIETY  HERE UPDATED SEVERAL TIMES EVERY DAY. RARE PHOTOGRAPHS, NEWS, FEATURES, PRIZE COMPETITIONS. NOW WIT OVER 20,000 FOLLOWERS! 

A NEW YEARS EVE SNAP SHOT OF 2015 WITH THE PETER CUSHING APPRECIATION SOCIETY

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Well, 2015 has been quite an exciting year, but not without it's ups and downs. It's been a year of meeting more friends, more than any other during our time on facebook. We've had more competitions this year, I haven't counted how many blu rays and dvd's and prizes we've given away this year, but skipping through the banners, I can see many have had a parcel of goodies through their letter box this year. It's been a year of making friends and links with Warner Brothers, Eureka, Screen Bound, Twilight Time and many others, all who have been extremely generous to us with sponsorship of our competitions, and I would like again to thank them for their friendship and generosity.



PETER CUSHING'S COAT BRINGS IN THE CASH
FOR PILGRIM'S HOSPICE CHARITY:HERE 


Cushing's Tales from the Crypt 'Grimsdyke', look-a-likey popping up in 'The Walking Dead', Talk of Cushing re-appearing as Tarkin in Star Wars: Rogue One. It's surprising how often Cushing still pops up in the news. And the releases of a truck load of remastered blu rays of some of Cushing's best work, has kept our news posts very busy. November brought us the release of Donald Fearney's 'Milton Subotsky's and Max J. Rosenberg's AMICUS VAULT OF HORRORS' mammoth documentary. A labour of love and what has to be the definitive history of Amicus films. Cushing's over coat and cardigan, auctioned on ebay to provide some much needed funds for the Canterbury Pilgrim's Hospice, has brought the year to a satisfying end.


OUR COMPETITION WITH COPIES TO WIN OF DONALD FEARNEY'S 
DOCUMENTARY: READ OUR REVIEW WITH GALLERY AND WHERE TO ORDER YOUR COPY : HERE

THE TRAILER FOR DONALD FEARNEY'S 'AMICUS : VAULT OF HORRORS'
DOCUMENTARY.  PRESS HD FOR HI RES VERSION


READ ALL ABOUT! HERE
 
For many Peter Cushing, is more than an actor, celebrity and gentleman.. he kept many hearts a flutter, and not just through fear in his fantasy films.. he was a heart throb..and never more so than during the 1950's, when he was hardly off the tv screen... what has been one of the very interesting things about this year, has been watching our female following stats growing every week, and a regular flow of comments from followers, expressing the kind of platitudes reserved usually, for the likes of actors like Benedict Cumberbatch and his like... so for you, here's our New Year's Eve Peter Cushing tribute video... Peter would have been thrilled that even up to the end and..after, he could still make hearts skip a beat, in more ways than one!



A VERY WELL PUT TOGETHER ROMANTIC TRIBUTE TO PETER CUSHING
EDITED BY SRHFTW AND SUNG BY GIRL IN A COMA
We have also sadly lost quite a few friends and associates of Peter's this year, many have left a sad space, never to be filled ...and none more greater than Sir Christopher Lee. We all knew one day it would happen, but it was, I am sure for all, a great shock when it happened. He, like Peter will always be missed and remembered, and we will continue to keep his memory alive too.


THE ONLY WAY IT COULD BE DONE! CHRISTOPHER LEE TRIBUTE VIDEO POSTED AT PCAS ON THE DAY HIS PASSING WAS ANNOUNCED
.... HIS WAY! 

So, we look to the next 365 and what it will bring. We have a few surprises up our sleeve, I'll endeavour to keep the posts coming. Your support as ever is greatly appreciated. It's YOUR page and the website too. It's been a year that would not have been any fun, if you'd not all been around to help share it!



COME SPEND SOME TIME AT OUR FACEBOOK FAN PAGE
JUST CLICK HERE AND LIKE ON THE PAGE!
I would like to thank all our visitors, friends and followers for your interest, enthusiasm and support in keeping the memory of Peter Cushing very much alive! Thank you. A Very Happy New Year to EVERY, ONE, OF, YOU!

Marcus Brooks (admin / editor )

NEWS: MORE CUSHING PERSONAL EFFECTS GO UNDER THE HAMMER AT AUCTION!

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NEWS:MORE Peter Cushing Personal Effects went under the hammer at John Nicholson’s of Fernhurst Auction House on December 12th 2015. Listed as '...two multiple lots relating to Hammer film star Peter Cushing. Cushing’s green canvas and leather-trimmed suitcase and travelite patent suitcase are offered together as a single lot, as are one of his three-piece suits, a blue check jacket, blue trousers and two cardigans. Also consigned, but not yet processed are Cushing’s paints – a talented artist, he was taught by his friend Edward Seago – his theatre make-up and a selection of games and puzzles.....' The auctioneers at the time estimated that each of these could cost as little as £100-£150. As yet, no details have been released as to their final hammer price...


For DAILY UPDATES, NEWS, RARE PHOTOGRAPHS
and ALL THINGS CUSHING JOIN US AT OUR FACEBOOK FAN  PAGE: HERE

TWO PERSPECTIVES ON ACTING: TEETH, TOOTHBRUSHES, TYPECASTING, LEADING MEN AND WEARING THE BLACK HAT!

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UPDATES ON TWITTER : BLOGGER :  TUMBLR : PIN IT AND FACEBOOK
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE HERE TO OUR WEBSITE OR JOIN US AT OUR OFFICIAL 
PCAS FACEBOOK FAN PAGE HERE

BREAKING HEARTS BEFORE HE STOPPED THEM: CUSHING AND THE END OF THE AFFAIR

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"Oh God, don't let him be dead. Give him that chance. I'll love him, I'll do anything, only just let him be alive. I'll never quarrel with him again or make him unhappy. I'll be sweet and kind and good. I... I will be good. I'll live as you would want me to live. I'll give Maurice up forever. Only just let him be alive! Just let him be alive!"

Cushing really does give a superb performance.
Check out this emotion packed short clip 

The film 'THE END OF THE AFFAIR' (1954) is based on Graham Greene's complex novel and directed by Edward Dmytryk, who made several highly regarded film noir thrillers, including Murder My Sweet and Crossfire and came to England because of the anti -Communist blacklisting in America.





The film was produced by David Lewis, the long time lover of James Whale. Whether Lewis remembered the handsome stand-in for Louis Hayward in Whale's 1939 'Man In The Iron Mask' or not, this was certainly an important part for Cushing to land, oppersite Hollywood star Van Johnson and Deborah Kerr.


Greene's book was an examination of his own faith and, although it was not known at the time, was a roman-a-clef for the novelist's own adulterous affair with Catharine Walston. The film is shot through with a tone of pessimism and disappointment, and in the end all but collapses under a cartload of Catholic guilt.


There's a rather flamboyant piano score too, much given to melodramatic bashing on the keyboard at particularly emotional moments. Johnson is woefully miscast - he does his usual flat turn and seems not to understand the material. Greene, who vetoed Gregory Peck for the lead was appalled at the choice of Johnson and noted that the actor chewed gum during the love scenes, when not in shot. Cushing however, achieves a kind of brilliance with bhis portrayal of the wronged husband, a man with 'a mind as neatly creased as his trousers' and it is sobering to think that but for 'Nineteen Eighty Four' (BBC 1954) he might have carried on playing this kind of repressed individual for as long as it was needed.


The plot of 'The End of the Affair' is fragmented, and told in a series of flashbacks. During the Second World War, American Miles Bendrix (Johnson) is writing a book on the British civil service when he meets Henry Miles (Cushing), who works in service pensions. Miles presents  Bendrix to his devoted wife, Sarah (Deborah Kerr)  - and soon Bendrix and Sarah are having an affair. (Although what they actually do is left terribly vague) After an air-raid, Sarah suddenly becomes cold to Bendrix and returns to Miles. The rest of the film reveals her reasons for her sudden change of heart.


Though stuffy and pompous, Miles is genuinely in love with Sarah. As time passes and her behaviour remains erratic, he considers employing a private detective to investigate her, but ultimately cannot.


'They always say, don't they, that the husband is the last to know...'


Miles is equally unable to answer to his wife's questions about her faith. When she asks her husband if he prays, he is at a loss.'I was taught to. In church, whenever I go . . . Really, this isn't the sort of thing to go into over a cup of tea!'


Towards the end of the film, Miles is a man on the point of despair and Cushing's performance is deeply affecting. 'I know I'm dull for you, Sarah.... frightfully dull. . .' he sobs. 'But I couldn't start again. It's too late, do you see?' As Sarah succumbs to a fatal fever, Cushing descends the stairs with a blank expression, unable to comprehend. It is another meticulous and disciplined performance, and Deborah Kerr is a graceful and generous co-star.

This review was taken from Peter Cushing: A Life In Film by David Miller. Available for purchase by clicking this link 
Miller's book a a triple thumbs up from PCAS  upon it's release in 2013 and is highly recommended.

Edit Graphics and Images here: Marcus Brooks


JOIN US AT OUR FACEBOOK FAN PAGE : HERE

BORN TODAY: WE REMEMBER RAY MILLAND

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Today we remember the very talented actor Ray Milland, whose screen career lasted from the 30's all the way into the 80's… and covered multiple genres with his most notable films being The Lost Weekend (1945) (for which he won an oscar) , Dial M For Murder (1954) and the horror classic's The Premature Burial (1962) X The Man with the X-ray eyes (1963) both for Roger Corman. He starred with Peter Cushing in The Uncanny (1977) and The Masks Of Death (1985) ….. Do you have a favourite Milland film?

ON THE RECORD: THE THEATRE : CUSHING AND HAMLET

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Cushing was to play OSRIC in Laurence OLIVIER'S 'HAMLET' in the 1948 production.



NEW YORK TIMES REVIEW : BOSELY CROWTHER: 
SEPTEMBER 30TH 1948 
 
 
It may come as something of a rude shock to the theatre's traditionalists to discover that the tragedies of Shakespeare can be eloquently presented on the screen. So bound have these poetic dramas long been to the culture of our stage that the very thought of their transference may have staggered a few profound die-hards. But now the matter is settled; the filmed "Hamlet" of Laurence Olivier gives absolute proof that these classics are magnificiently suited to the screen.
 
Indeed, this fine British-made picture, which opened at the Park Avenue last night under the Theatre Guild's elegant aegis, is probably as vivid and as clear an exposition of the doleful Dane's dilemma as modern-day playgoers have seen. And just as Olivier's ingenious and spectacular "Henry V" set out new visual limits for Shakespear's historical plays, his "Hamlet" envisions new vistas in the great tragedies of the Bard.


It is not too brash or insensitive to say that these eloquent plays, in their uncounted stage presentations, have been more often heard than seen. The physical nature of the theatre, from the time of the Globe until now, has compelled that the audiences of Shakespeare listen more closely than they look. And, indeed, the physical distance of the audience from the stage has denied it the privilege of partaking in some of the most intimate moments of the plays.
 
But just as Olivier's great "Henry" took the play further away by taking it out into the open—and thereby revealed it visually—his "Hamlet" makes the play more evident by bringing it closer to you. The subtle reactions of the characters, the movements of their faces and forms, which can be so dramatically expressive and which are more or less remote on the stage, are here made emotionally incisive by their normal proximity. Coupled with beautiful acting and inspired interpretations all the way, this visual closeness to the drama offers insights that are brilliant and rare.


 Further, a quietly-moving camera which wanders intently around the vast and gloomy palace of Elsinore, now on the misty battlements, now in the great council chamber, now in the bedroom of the Queen, always looking and listening, from this and from that vantage point, gives the exciting impression of a silent observer of great events, aware that big things are impending and anxious not to miss any of them.
 
Actually, a lot of material which is in the conventional "Hamlet" text is missing from the picture—a lot of lines and some minor characters, notably those two fickle windbags, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. And it is natural that some fond Shakespearians are going to be distressed at the suddenly discovered omission of this or that memorable speech. But some highly judicious editing has not done damage to the fullness of the drama nor to any of its most familiar scenes. In fact, it has greatly speeded the unfolding of the plot and has given much greater clarity to its noted complexities.

Hamlet is nobody's glass-man, and the dark and troubled workings of his mind are difficult, even for Freudians. But the openness with which he is played by Mr. Olivier in this picture makes him reasonably comprehensible. His is no cold and sexless Hamlet. He is a solid and virile young man, plainly tormented by the anguish and the horror of a double shock. However, in this elucidation, it is more his wretched dismay at the treachery of his mother than at the death of his father that sparks  woe. And it is this disillusion in women that shapes his uncertain attitude toward the young and misguided Ophelia, a victim herself of a parent's deceit.


In the vibrant performance of Eileen Herlie as the Queen is this concept evidenced, too, for plainly she shows the strain and heartache of a ruptured attachment to her son. So genuine is her disturbance that the uncommon evidence she gives that she knows the final cup is poisoned before she drinks it makes for heightened poignancy. And the luminous performance of Jean Simmons as the truly fair Ophelia brings honest tears for a shattered romance which is usually a so-what affair.

No more than passing mention can be made at this point of the fine work done by Norman Wooland as Horatio and by Basil Sydney as the King, by Felix Aylmer as Polonius, Terence Morgan as Laertes and all the rest. Perfect articulation is only one thing for which they can be blessed. A word, too, of commendation for the intriguing musical score of William Walton and for the rich designing of Roger Furse must suffice. In the straight black-and-white photography which Mr. Olivier has wisely used—wisely, we say, because the study is largely in somber mood—the palace conceived for this "Hamlet" is a dark and haunted palace. It is the grim and majestic setting for an uncommonly galvanic film.

WHY I WORE CARPET SLIPPERS WHEN I PLAYED TARKIN IN STAR WARS: IN HIS OWN WORDS: PETER CUSHING CLIP

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WATCH PETER CUSHING EXPLAIN HIS
DIALIMA HERE
 
Now that Star Wars: The Force Awakens, is out and about...the features and news updates on the net have multiplied many fold...and many mention Peter Cushing...and if they mention Cushing, you can be sure, they'll churn-out the Tarkn Slippers story.


The first time I ever knew about, what is now the legendary tale of Peter wearing carpet slippers on the set of Star Wars when filming, was back in 1979, when I first met Dave Prowse, and he told me about Cushing having to wear those slippers...and why. I thought we had a bit of an exclusive and typed up the story in the Ten Fun Facts On Star Wars section in the revamped Peter Cushing Fan Club Journal for November 1979.


As usual sent I a copy to Peter Cushing and his secretary Joyce Brougton. After a few days, I received the customary letter from Joyce Brougton, thanking me for the latest journal, but pointing out that...' Sir, does not have a problem with his feet, and the fact that he wore carpet slippers during filming, I am sure it will be of little interest to your readers...' Well, Joyce it was and still is. And now, here from 1989 is Peter Cushing, for the first time, explaining the slipper saga himself...... I still have the letter by the way.


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