THE BARD AND PETER CUSHING: MARKING 400 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

It's 400 years ago today, that as Shakespeare, ' shufflel'd off this mortall coile...!' an often quoted line from his 1602 crowd puller, 'Hamlet'. And it's his drama, Hamlet that also provides our Cushing Connection! As many of you may know, Peter Cushing to great success, played Osric in the 1948 Olivier film production, see pic above!. Cushing was no stranger to Shakespeare, having tackled many a role while touring with the Olivier company and in several productions during the 1930's and 40's.

In fact, had not fate intervened, playing several of Shakespeare's characters in a production entitled 'Heritage of Horror' would probably have been his swan-song. Unfortunately, it was a real 'Shakespearian tragedy' that Tyburn and Kevin Francis, could not secure the funding. Peter even grew a beard in preparation for the role, and maintained it until his final day... just as in Shakespeare's time, today some 400 years on, financing drama is in the hands of... '...cream faced loons..' Tis a pity. Rest easy Will . . .

Peter and Helen Cushing, Sir Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh arrive at Freemantle, Australia with the Old Vic Theatre Company....during their tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1948.... they performed Shakespeare's Richard III and Sheridan's 'School for Scandal'.... (A: Helen Cushing B: Peter Cushing C: Laurence Olivier.

 

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#TOOCOOLTUESDAY : CUSHING POSES FOR LEGEND OF THE WEREWOLF PINEWOOD

#toocooltuesday : Peter Cushing poses for the press at Piewood studios, during the making of Tyburn Films, Legend of the Werewolf (Francis 1974)

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DON'T LOOSE YOUR HEAD! MONSTERMONDAY : PITT AND THE VAMPIRE!

In todays #MonsterMonday we feature Carmilla from Hammer's The Vampire Lovers (1970) played by the lovely Ingrid Pitt in what many considered to be her finest role… A fine cast supports her in the film, Peter Cushing, George Cole, Maddie Smith and Douglas Wilmer who we sadly lost last month. Ingrid's performance made Carmilla one of Hammer's most successful female vampires, How do you rate her performance?

Ingrid and the gals get together for a publicity shot on

 The Vampire Lovers 1970

BTS: Peter Cushing, ever the gentleman...happy to come to the aid of Ingrid Pitt, to ensure she doesn't slip or hurt herself...before he hacks her head off! Peter Cushing and Ingrid Pitt in The Vampire Lovers (1970)

 

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on THE VAMPIRE LOVER AT OUR RARE STILLS

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FUN ON THE SET OF MADHOUSE WITH PRICE AND CUSHING

BEHIND THE SCENES: Fun at Pyrford Place, West Byfleet, Surrey, England during the making MADHOUSE of  with Peter and Vincent Price.

'When day is done and shadows fall, I dream of you' Madness and temptation Part Six of The Amicus Films of Peter Cushing which includes, the AIP / Amicus film MADHOUSE. A full gallery of rare and vintage photographs, behind the scenes with Vincent Price and peter Cushing, along with supporting cast Robert Quarry, Linda Hayden  and Adrienne Corri can be found HERE

The ENTIRE history of AMICUS films can be found in AMICUS: THE VAULT OF HORROR superb documentary from director DONALD FEARNEY and  editor JIM GROOM. Rare photographs, behind the scenes.scripts, documents and much more and it's a available for order NOW. You can sample it's contents and make your purchase by watching our trailer HERE

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PERTWEE AND THE CLOAK THE HOUSE THAT DRIPPED BLOOD

A rare publicity portrait of JON PERTWEE as Paul Henderson in the fourth story "The Cloak", from Amicus / AIP 'THE HOUSE THAT DRIPPED BLOOD' (1971)

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BEHIND THE SCENES AND ON SET DURING AT THE EARTH'S CORE AT PINEWOOD STUDIOS

COMING SOON: BEHIND THE SCENES and ON SET on AT THE EARTH'S CORE. Rare pics in a one off special feature!

Photographs in banner: 

Top: Doug McClure and the cast of Mahars' ape-like Sagoth servants. 

Second: Peter Cushing and co star Caroline Munro at the press call for the launch of the film, At The Earth's Core.

Third: Caroline Munro and Doug McClure clown for the camera during press call

wear the wigs that will be worn by the Sagoths!

Fourth: Peter Cushing, Doug McClure on set at Pinewood studios with director. Kevin Connor.

ALSO COMING SOON 

PETER CUSHING : TALES OF A MONSTER HUNTER 

DICKEN'S TALE OF TWO CITIES COMES TO BLU RAY AND DVD VIA SHOUT

Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities comes to blu ray in a lavish 1980 adaptation of the literary classic set against the backdrop of the French Revolution. Chris Sarandon (The Princess Bride, Fright Night) takes on a dual role as French aristocrat Charles Darnay and London lawyer Sydney Carton, both of whom are in love with the beautiful Lucie (Alice Krige, Star Trek: First Contact, Thor : In The Dark World, Ghost Story).

The film also features Peter Cushing as a superb Dr. Alexander! David Suchet and Barry Morse also feature in this Golden Globe and Emmy nominee. This widescreen Blu Ray  from SHOUT was released yesterday, 12th April , is available only as a US release at the moment , has a 162 minutes duration and no extras. Retailed at $16.99 for BLU RAY - $33.53 DVD, from various suppliers, though it's worth shopping around!

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ANOTHER GREAT GIF GALLERY FEATURING ACTION SHOTS OF PETER CUSHING

ANOTHER OF OUR POPULAR GIF GALLERIES, MADE UP OF GIFS THAT WE HAVE POSTED AT OUR Peter Cushing Appreciation Society Facebook Fan Page PLEASE FEEL FREE TO TAKE THE GIFS TO SHARE AND POST AT YOUR OWN ACCOUNTS OR BLOGS!

THE CHASE IS ON! Van Helsing (Peter Cushing) chases Baron Meinster (David Peel) through the Château Meinster in  Hammer films , THE BRIDES OF DRACULA (1960 Fisher)

ANOTHER SLAP! The is nothing more than that the Baron likes to do than make his point, no matter how morally wrong it might be, and his method of employing a slap around the chops, is a ploy he uses often in several Hammer Frankenstein films. He dishes out the back hander in the 1969 FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED , THE EVIL OF FRANKENSTEIN (1964 FRANCIS)  and here in THE REVENGE OF FRANKENSTEIN (FISHER 1958)  with Francis Matthews, on the receiving end!

BURNING OUT THE BITE! Van Helsing takes to some pretty extreme methods, after falling pray to the vampires kiss, via Baron Meinster in Hammer films, THE BRIDES OF DRACULA (1960 FISHER)

KHARIS COMES KNOCKING! Hmay not be too quick on his padded feet, but he moves with the force of a steam train. Here's an iconic sequence from Hammer films, THE MUMMY (1959 FISHER)  when recently risen Kharis, played by Christopher Lee comes knocking on the door of archaeologist and tomb desecrater , John Banning (Peter Cushing). What unfolds is one of the many classic scenes both Cushing and Lee skilfully performed during their 21 films together.

THE CUSHING INDEX FINGER. Not action as such, but an action worthy of mentioning, as it's a gesture that appears in many of Peter Cushing's performances. Known now through out PCAS as a 'CUSHINISM' the using of the index finger, to express 'a point', this one joins a list of other familiar mannerisms such as the 'The Rubbing of the Back of the Neck' and 'The Rolling of the Eyes, and Crossing When Losing Consciousness'!! This one comes  from the Tyburn film, THE GHOUL (1975 FRANCIS) with Cushing's performance of the much stress Dr Lawrence.

MORE GIFS TO COME SOON!

THE TOBACCO ADDICTED OSTRICH AND PETER CUSHING

When Peter Cushing was in Australia in 1977 working on the documentary 'A Land Looking West', he had an unusual encounter with an Ostrich, who was quite fond of his cigarettes!

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TELLY T SHIRT IS TOPS IN BRAZIL!

TELLY T-SHIRT IS TOPS IN BRAZIL! It's very flattering I see when other websites use our art work or people sell it on ebay.. but when they wear it...that's something else ! Aluizio Ignacio‎ from Brazil sent in a pic of a t-shirt he got made up featuring our banner for Telly Savalas that we posted last year lol He wears it with pride! I am quite chuffed too. Nice work Aluizio and thank you for sending us the pic too. - Marcus

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