Thursday 12 June 2014

MADNESS AND TEMPTATION: THE AMICUS FILMS OF PETER CUSHING: PART SIX


Cushing would next be lured to Amicus with a role that referred back to his first assignment for the company.  From Beyond the Grave was another anthology film and like Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors, it cast Cushing in the linking segment and gave the actor a relatively rare opportunity to don makeup and an accent while playing a real character part.


Cushing is splendid as the sinister proprietor of a shabby antique shop known as Temptations Limited. The gimmick is simple: the various people who come into the shop are morally compromised in one way or another and as they look to get one over on the doddering proprietor, they set themselves up for some just desserts. “The Gate Crasher” stars David Warner as a man who buys a mirror which houses a bloodthirsty spirit; in “An Act of Kindness,” a sad sack executive (Ian Bannen) befriends a peddler (Donald Pleasence) and his creepy daughter (Angela Pleasence) and doesn’t live to regret it.


 “The Elemental” deals with a spirit which attaches itself to a middle aged businessman (Ian Carmichael), thus requiring the intervention of a wacky spiritualist (Margaret Leighton); and Ian Ogilvy regrets purchasing “The Door” when it becomes apparent that the object has the ability to gain access to a mysterious room housing an even more mysterious resident (Jack Watson).


The film benefits from an infusion of fresh material: sooner than fall back on another one of Subotsky’s derivative screenplays or offer up another collection of Robert Bloch-penned slices of irony, this one draws from the stories of R. Chetwyn-Hayes.  The stories offer a nice variety of mood and if the opening and closing segments are a little too similar for comfort, they are still successful in their own aims.  First time director Kevin Connor does a fantastic job with the material, going for shock effects where needed, while also taking the time to build character, notably in the affecting “An Act of Kindness” segment.


The individual segments are all of a high caliber, as are the performances. Cushing is in fine form in the linking segments, while Margaret Leighton comes close to stealing the show as the comically over the top spiritualist in the comic “Elemental” segment.  Ian Bannen and Donald Pleasence give wonderfully subtle performances in “An Act of Kindness,” with the actor’s real-life daughter Angela Pleasence making for a wonderfully baleful and eerie presence.


David Warner, Ian Carmichael and Ian Ogilvy all do excellent work, as well.  The stylish and atmospheric photography by Alan Hume recalls his work on Dr. Terror, while Douglas Gamley’s soundtrack is more subtle and effective than usual.


All things considered, From Beyond the Grave proved to be a fitting farewell for Cushing to the world of Amicus anthologies, but their business relationship was far from finished.  For their next outing, Amicus and Cushing would again be joined by American International Pictures. 


On paper, Madhouse had the makings of a classic.  It united Vincent Price with Peter Cushing and added up-and-coming genre star Robert Quarry to the mix.  Price and Cushing had already co-starred in Scream and Scream Again and Dr. Phibes Rises Again, but this film would finally allow them to share some scenes together.

 

The story, adapted from the novel “Devilday” by Angus Hall, could be seen as a sort of horror version of All About Eve, with some memorably bitchy dialogue that was particularly well suited for Price. And yet, sadly, it all went wrong … quite, quite wrong.


Paul Tombes (Price) is a horror film star who is finally enjoying a happy and stable personal life, thanks to finding true love. However, his fiancée is burtally murdered and he suffers a major mental breakdown. Years later, he returns to England to resume his career in genre films, with his old friend Herbert Flay (Cushing) acting as his screenwriter.  Unfortunately, embittered producer Oliver Quayle (Quarry) is none too supportive and regards the “has been” actor with suspicion. Things get worse when a series of strange events, including some killings, threaten to push Paul completely over the edge …



Editor-turned-director Jim Clark makes a botch job of this one.  There’s some indication that the script may have been intended to be done tongue in cheek, but Clark’s uninspired direction only succeeds in making it come off as plodding.  There are too many unlikely plot developments and the final twist is simply too absurd to be taken seriously.  Perhaps in the hands of a witty stylist like Robert Fuest (who directed the Dr. Phibes films so beautifully), the film might have come to life; as it stands, however, this is one of the most disappointing of Price’s many horror films.


Price walks through the film with an air of disinterest, suggesting that he was none too thrilled to be cast in the film to begin with.  The real standout is Quarry, who indulges in a marvelously pointed parody of AIP’s head honcho Samuel Z. Arkoff in his performance as the producer Oliver Quayle. Quarry’s acidic line readings give vent to his frustration over being shoehorned into one bad project after another and his onscreen tension with Price is a direct continuation of their off-screen relationship. Cushing rather disappears into the background in all of this, but he does have a few good moments towards the end of the picture.


Adrienne Corri is also very good as a crazed former starlet who has a thing for spiders, while Hammer horror veteran Linda Hayden (Taste the Blood of Dracula) is appropriately sultry as a femme fatale. In a cheeky bit of advertising, the film gives “special participation” credit to Boris Karloff and Basil Rathbone, by virtue of some extensive clips of their appearances in AIP’s earlier (and much better) The Raven and Tales of Terror.  Both actors were long dead by the time this film rolled along, but their presence does serve to remind one of the better days of Gothic horror on screen.


 

Pretty much everybody involved in Madhouse knew it was a lox and the general lack of enthusiasm does the film no favors.  It had the potential to sit side by side with Price’s truly brilliant Theatre of Blood, but a daft script and lackluster direction ensures that it’s not even on par with some of the lesser Edgar Allan Poe vehicles that were made after director Roger Corman jumped ship.

Written by Troy Howarth
Images and design: Marcus Brooks


COMING UP NEXT WEEK : THE FINAL PART : BOWING OUT WITH A WOLF
AND A MOLE : THE AMICUS FILMS OF PETER CUSHING BY TROY HOWARTH : PART SEVEN


Join The Peter Cushing Appreciation Society
Facebook Fan Page : Rare Images : Competitions 
 

#TBT : THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN: BOX OFFICE TRADE PAPER AND PRESSBOOK


#TBT Box Office and Press Book Material: 'The Curse of Frankenstein' was a world wide hit at the box office both in the UK and USA. Critics in the UK were horrified and generally unkind. Peter Cushing very wisely, took no notice, and his faith in the film was borne out very soon after the initial release with by spectacular box office returns. In the US critics were much kinder, many highlighting Cushing's performance for particular praise, '....Cushing enacts the role of Frankenstein without overacting,' wrote Jim O'Connor in the New York Journal 7th August. 'You could almost hear the nerves snapping in the audience!'


Wednesday 11 June 2014

AHOY ME HEARTIES! SET YE TIME PIECE FOR THE WINNING OF 'CAPTAIN CLEGG' BLU RAY


AHOY ME HEARTIES! AVAST BEHIND, And all that...Get your sea legs ready, there's no time for hanging a jib, 'cause shiver me timbers, this weekend ye can grab yourselves, some real #PeterCushing #hammerfilms TREASURE, me beauties! And NO Crimping either! We've got some beautiful booty and plunder, A PAIR of fine blu ray's of the ol Captain himself..'CAPTAIN CLEGG'! Yours for WINNING! Still in their wraps they be and hot from the scallywags at Final Cut Entertainment. 

Join us for some grog, a tankard of Nelson's Folly, on the good lord's day, THIS SUNDAY 15th JUNE....and try thee luck at nabbing a copy for yourself in our competition. We'll be pulling out the bung hole and making much merriment, in celebration of  the ol' Captain. So, all hands on deck and get ye coxswain to steer ye a path, to our landing party here. All rapscallions and 'Brethren Of The Coast', most welcome. Be seeing ye, me handsomes..... AYE!

PRE ORDER YOUR COPY HERE


Tuesday 10 June 2014

FINAL CUT ENTERTAINMENT: CAPTAIN CLEGG NIGHT CREATURES BLU REVIEW


#hammerfilms 'CAPTAIN CLEGG' ' 'NIGHT CREATURES' blu ray starring Peter Cushing is due for street release on Monday 23rd Jun 2014. NEXT WEEK we'll be posting a full review of the blu ray and it's extras... PLUS you can WIN yourself some copies too

Sunday 8 June 2014

SO YOU THINK YOU KNOW 'DRACULA' COMPETITION: SCRIPT, BLU RAY AND FANZINE PRIZES!

 
Along with 'The Curse of Frankenstein' in 1957, Hammer films 'DRACULA' made Peter Cushing and Christopher international stars. There have been many miles of print dedicated to this the first and maybe the best of Christopher Lee's performances of the Count. Here playing Dracula with a very powerful, almost feral energy, a terrifying portrayal of the undead monster. 'Dracula' also introduced Peter Cushing as Van Helsing, for the first time. Not as the dotty old Dutch professor of Stoker's book, but a 'Vampire Hunter'. Cushing brings a great deal of charm, grace, and incredible engery the role.


Here is the first of a series of 'So You Think You Know..' competitions, we'll be posting over the next few weeks. Peter Cushing's performnaces as Dr Who, Sherlock Holmes, Moff Tarkin and Baron Frankenstein, will all get the treatment!

The prizes featured in this competition will be awarded to TWO lucky winners. ALL question MUST be answered correctly.

THE PRIZES: ALL correct entries will be placed in a hat, ten minutes after the closing time. TWO Lucky winners, drawn out of the hat, will each win: 

ONE printed and bound COPY of the script of Hammer films 'DRACULA'. The script's index page is signed by Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee. Michael Gough has signed the page which contains his line 'It's Horrible'!. As this is a privately printed and bound copy, the signatures are the printed copies from the original privately printed book.


ONE Blu Ray / DVD combo release from 2013 of Hammer films 'DRACULA' .


ONE Vintage copy of Fandom's Film Gallery 'DRACULA' edition book from 1975.


Please send us your competition entries to the following email only: theblackboxclub@gmail.com.

So, let's test YOUR  knowledge... Good Luck!

THE QUESTIONS:


1: At the begining of Hammer films 1958 'DRACULA' the coach bringing Jonathan Harker to Castle Dracula, also contains other passengers, one of whom is a PREIST. NAME the actor who played the PRIEST.


2: When playing Count Dracula in Hammer films 1958 'DRACULA' Christopher Lee wears a ring. How many other Hammer DRACULA  films, did Lee wear this particular ring?


3: Apart from Jonathan Harker, how many people does Count Dracula actually speak to in Hammer films 1958 'DRACULA'?

4: According to Christopher Lee's autobiography, 'Lord of Misrule', how much was Christopher Lee actually paid for his role in 'DRACULA' 1958?


5: For it's U.S release, Hammer films 'DRACULA' was given a title change. What was the title and why was the title changed?


6: Hammer films 'DRACULA' commenced it's principal photography on what date?


7: At which UK London cinema did 'DRACULA' (1958) premier and on what date?


8: In the climax scene of 'DRACULA' (1958), Van Helsing takes a leap from a table top, to pull down the curtains, and destroy Dracula. A stuntman was used for the actual leap and run. TRUE OR FALSE?

9: Peter Cushing signed his contract to play Van Helsing in DRACULA (1958) on 9th October 1957. How much was Peter Cushing contractually paid to play Van Helsing?


10: Peter Cushing used his own personal fur collared coat when he played Van Helsing in  Hammer films 1958 'DRACULA'. TRUE or FALSE?


11: The crossing of the two candle sticks by Van Helsing, when killing Dracula was Peter Cushing's own suggestion. Cushing admits this idea was suggested by a film he had seen many years before. What is the title of that film?

COMPETITION CLOSES SUNDAY 15TH JUNE 2014 8PM GMT
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

Saturday 7 June 2014

THE SIX FACES OF FRANKENSTEIN: BRAINS AND EYEBALLS

 
'Peter Cushing is immaculate in the role, and he clearly relishes the chance to play a bit of comedy here and there - just look at the scene wherein he confronts the sniveling, sex-crazed Burgomaster (David Huddelston, later to be frozen to death by The Abominable Dr. Phibes) and rants and raves about all the elegant furnishing and clothing the latter has pilfered from his estate. If Sangster saw the character as a villain in Curse, and a frustrated hero in Revenge, Evil presents him as a symbol of progress'. Troy Howarth

Read the whole feature HERE 
Peter Cushing is immaculate in the role, and he clearly relishes the chance to play a bit of comedy here and there - just look at the scene wherein he confronts the sniveling, sex-crazed Burgomaster (David Huddelston, later to be frozen to death by The Abominable Dr. Phibes) and rants and raves about all the elegant furnishing and clothing the latter has pilfered from his estate. If Sangster saw the character as a villain in Curse, and a frustrated hero in Revenge, Evil presents him as a symbol of progress. - See more at: http://petercushingblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/hammer-film-productions-evil-of.html#sthash.DxCN8cmr.dpuf
Peter Cushing is immaculate in the role, and he clearly relishes the chance to play a bit of comedy here and there - just look at the scene wherein he confronts the sniveling, sex-crazed Burgomaster (David Huddelston, later to be frozen to death by The Abominable Dr. Phibes) and rants and raves about all the elegant furnishing and clothing the latter has pilfered from his estate. If Sangster saw the character as a villain in Curse, and a frustrated hero in Revenge, Evil presents him as a symbol of progress. - See more at: http://petercushingblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/hammer-film-productions-evil-of.html#sthash.DxCN8cmr.dpuf
Peter Cushing is immaculate in the role, and he clearly relishes the chance to play a bit of comedy here and there - just look at the scene wherein he confronts the sniveling, sex-crazed Burgomaster (David Huddelston, later to be frozen to death by The Abominable Dr. Phibes) and rants and raves about all the elegant furnishing and clothing the latter has pilfered from his estate. If Sangster saw the character as a villain in Curse, and a frustrated hero in Revenge, Evil presents him as a symbol of progress. - See more at: http://petercushingblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/hammer-film-productions-evil-of.html#sthash.DxCN8cmr.dpuf
Peter Cushing is immaculate in the role, and he clearly relishes the chance to play a bit of comedy here and there - just look at the scene wherein he confronts the sniveling, sex-crazed Burgomaster (David Huddelston, later to be frozen to death by The Abominable Dr. Phibes) and rants and raves about all the elegant furnishing and clothing the latter has pilfered from his estate. If Sangster saw the character as a villain in Curse, and a frustrated hero in Revenge, Evil presents him as a symbol of progress. - See more at: http://petercushingblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/hammer-film-productions-evil-of.html#sthash.DxCN8cmr.dpuf

#ONTHESETSATURDAY: FRANKENSTEIN CREATED WOMAN #HAMMERFILMS


Large scans of Peter Cushing, Thorley Walters and director Terence Fisher, during the making of #hammerfilms 'Frankenstein Created Woman' at Bray Studios in 1967


Thursday 5 June 2014

SCREAM FACTORY TO RELEASE AMICUS DOUBLE BILL BLU RAY: VAULT OF HORROR UNCUT AND TALES FROM THE CRYPT


NEWS: SCREAM FACTORY TO RELEASE AMICUS DOUBLE BILL BLU RAY: Scream Factory, the horror-thriller offshoot of independent film distributor Shout Factory, has revealed that it plans to release on Blu-ray Freddie Francis' Tales From the Crypt (1972), Roy Ward Baker's Vault of Horror (UNCUT) (1973), and Freddie Francis' The Doctor and the Devils (1985). These releases are expected to arrive on the U.S. market later this year.


Monday 2 June 2014

SO YOU THINK YOU KNOW DRACULA? PETER CUSHING APPRECIATION SOCIETY COMPETITION


Don't miss out on our competition THIS WEEKEND SATURDAY 7TH AND SUNDAY 8TH JUNE 2014. Test YOUR knowledge and win a GRAND prize!

DRACULA: 
Peter Cushing (Dr Van Helsing), Christopher Lee (Count Dracula), Michael Gough (Arthur Holmwood), John Van Eyssen (Jonathan Harker), Melissa Stribling (Mina Holmwood), Carol Marsh (Lucy Holmwood), Valerie Gaunt (Vampire Woman)

PRODUCTION:
Director – Terence Fisher, Screenplay – Jimmy Sangster, Based on the Novel by Bram Stoker, Producer – Anthony Hinds, Photography – Jack Asher, Music – James Bernard, Special Effects – Syd Pearson, Makeup – Phil Leaky, Art Direction – Bernard Robinson. Production Company – Hammer films 1958.


MONSTER MONDAY : VAMPIRES AND SILLICATES


#monstermonday They may have looked like great blobs of great porridge with a wandering vacuum cleaner pipe and nozzle, but the SILLICATES from #ISLANDOFTERROR (1966) had the kind of sucking power to leave you boneless! Coming soon on blu ray from #odeonentertainment!


#monstermonday David Peel as Baron Meinster on the attack in #hammerfilms 'The Brides of Dracula' in 1961. Even though Dracula didn't actually appear in this film, Peel's Vampire Baron gave Cushing's Van Helsing a good run for money. A superb cast with Yvonne Monlaur, Martita Hunt, Freda Jackson. See them all in  the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bNmNniIDsk

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