This is actually about Cushing that Mark Hamil tells from Star Wars. Hamil was a really big fan of the Hammer films, and, when he found out that Cushing was in Star Wars and that they didn't have any scenes together, came to the set on two days that Cushing was filming. So he introduced himself on set and got Cushing to sign some posters for him, and then on a break, Cushing, who by this point was an established and famous actor, took Hamil, who was only 26 and had only been in some TV, to his trailer, where they spent an hour just talking about Cushing's acting, and acting in general, and Cushing told him about being a body double for Leslie Howard in The Man in the Iron Mask, and Hamil basically said the entire thing was one of the best experiences of his life.
One of my favourite Cushing anecdotes was from Stephen Fry, talking about the time he interviewed Cushing for a magazine. During the course of the interview, Cushing asked Fry what he was working on next, to which Fry said he was about to start a project with Christopher Lee and mentioned (half-jokingly) that he was a little intimidated at the thought of working with Dracula. And apparently without any hesitation, Cushing said “excuse me one second,” picked up the phone on the table next to him, dialled a number, and then; “Hello Chris? It’s Pete here. Listen I have a young chap named Stephen Fry here, says he working with you on something, seems a nice chap. Anyway, I think he’d like an introduction” and then he just passed the phone over to Fry. Peter Cushing: Professional Icebreaker.
Cushing and Lee are probably my two favourite actors of all time. Even if a few of the films they were in weren't the best, they were always the best in the film.
There is a story, that has probably been told to death, but I like it anyway, that during the filming of Star Wars, Carrie Fisher, had some real trouble with her scenes with Cushing, not because he was hard to work with, it was the exact opposite. It was Fisher being told to insult Cushing and talk about his "Foul Stench", when the man smelt like Lavender and was the kindest, sweetest man on the planet. She just couldn't bring herself to say such mean things to him, even if it was just acting, until he took her aside and assured her, that it was indeed just acting and it was perfectly okay.
One of my favorite Cushing movies has to be Madhouse. Cushing opposite Vincent Price playing aging actors reflecting on their careers as they drive each other mad. It's such a delight even despite its flaws.
it's like a Dungeons & Dragons-style alignment chart for Peter Cushing's characters. Van Helsing is Lawful Good, Sherlock Holmes is Chaotic Good, Baron Frankenstein is Chaotic Evil and Grand Moff Tarkin is Lawful Evil.
Peter Cushing's clothes! His outfits in Horror of Dracula are so cool. When he first enters the snowy inn he has that awesome great coat with fur collar and a homburg hat, then a tweed jacket with matching slacks and waist coat. His ties are impeccable; he wears a ring at the top below the knot, super class. Later, when he's dictating, he wears a burgandy velvet suit; the tie ring has a large dark stone. No one could look more classy while driving a stake into someone's heart. He looks sharp in all of the hammer films.
I'm sorry to have found this video only just now, because I really, really, REALLY love it. Peter Cushing is my favourite actor ever, and it makes me so happy to see that other people still appreciate him, both as an amazing actor and as an impossibly sweet gentleman. All the kudos in the world, and all my gratitude, for creating and sharing this video with us!!!
I absolutely love Peter Cushing and his roles but man reading his memoirs can make me cry. Still haven't been able to really finish them once I reached the part where his wife passed away. RIP Helen and Peter Cushing.
George originally wanted him to be Obi-Wan and Christopher for Tarkin. Peter had to turn down Obi-Wan for the shorter Tarkin role because Peter's schedule couldn't let him be in the sequels. Another fun fact: John Carpenter wanted either one of the men for Dr Loomis prior to Donald's casting.
"Peter Cushing lives in Whitstable, You can see him on his bicycle, He goes shopping for his vegetables" "Frankenstein Created Woman", with Peter Cushing and Thorely Walters was a great bit of Gothic fun.
Ahh this is brilliant Steve. I watched this Dracula movie so many times growing up, the ending was just perfect. Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing worked so well together.
Love anything peter cushing is in. Especially the horrors. I can't get enough of them .as they are so enjoyable to watch. I recently visited his home in Whitstable.
I love this so much, Horror of Dracula is my all-time favorite Dracula movie, and Peter Cushing is amazing. The was you describe him is just lovely and your love of him is so moving. At the the end of your video as you described his Van Helsing comforting the little girl, I got tears in my eyes. You’ve done a great job with this and echoed my love for Cushing and Lee. I’m looking forward to seeing more of your videos now.
STEVE, your celebration of our British Hammer Horror films does me great honor, it's not often we hear Americans enthuse about our cinematic gems. I bow to you, you do us great honor.
You really should do a piece on Christopher Lee. Peter Cushing was an iconic actor who breathed life into his roles but Lee was badass in and out of his acting roles.
Cushing, Lee and Vincent Price were the Holy Trinity of B Movie Horror films growing up. It's amazing though just how many I've missed until very recently.
Peter kills it in everything & makes all of the Hammer horror films so much more entertaining & interesting when the action scenes take they're breaks , he makes u want to watch him even if he's just doing the most normal things & makes them so interesting even if it's just him ordering a meal at a tavern/pub👌
I remember hearing that he absolutely loved working on Star Wars, in stark contrast to his costar Alec Guinness. I also heard that he was initially going to play Obi-Wan, but that could just be me miss remembering things.
He truly was hammer's best. Big fan of Peter. Not just for his work but the fact he was part of a generation that rarely exists now. He was a real genuine gentleman.
Cushing is one of my favourite actors for all the reasons you outline here. Cushing and Lee together were a class act, to put it mildly. Their portrayals in (Horror of) Dracula was one of the first Horror films I ever saw, which is probably why I find so few modern horror films to be engaging at all. Thanks for doing this; I now have a speck of sentiment in my eye.
the [perfect] ending to this wonderful retrospective made me tear up 🥺 what an amazing feature - thank you for showcasing the phenomenon that was Peter Cushing 💝
The ending is great. I also find it a little emotional. I only watched that film about a week ago and Peters Van Helsing has become my comfort character. He just really soothes my anxiety and panic attacks. Partly because of that scene and just his nature overall and his calm, soft voice.
This. This video right here is what my whole opinion about Peter Cushing. I love that scene too and the Freankenstien film is one of my favorites. He was just an amazing man. Nothing more to add. You said it all.
Thumbs up for the title alone! Peter Cushing was the man! What nightmare he brought my little me ... I just love Hammer movies with Peter Cushing. And yes, Horror of Dracula is still my favourite Dracula Movie. Peter Cushing AND Christopher Lee? Just amazing!
Carrie Fisher found it extremely difficult to say the lines she had with Cushing in Star Wars because he was such a wonderful, warm person. BTW, he usually wore slippers in most of those scenes because the boots that came with the Imperial costume hurt his feet.
If I remember correctly, that was because his boots had to be custom made due to his (in his words) "large feet". Apparently they hadn't had time to make them yet, so he very politely asked George Lucas to only film him from the waist up so that he wouldn't be so uncomfortable.
Never knew Steve Shives was such a Peter Cushing fan, or of Hammer movies in general. Props for such a well put together, and enthusiastically presented video.
The ending you talk about with the little girl reminds me of the Justice League episode with Batman and Ace. One of my favorite moments, so great seeing these normally strong & stoic characters have these moments of tenderness.
My love for peter Cushing started when I was around 12 watching him in double bills of Hammer and Amicus films mainly. Learning more about him as a man later on just made me love him more ,and he lived in whitstable a town on the south coast not far from me,there’s a bench on the sea front area dedicated to him called Cushing view as he liked to go there a lot .
I always adored his portrayal of Grand Moff Tarkin. Tarkin may have been the one character capable of keeping Darth Vader on a leash, which is probably why he had to die.
Oh! I am so glad to see this video! Thank you, Steve, you are the greatest, and Peter Cushing was absolutely awesome. Such a great influence, and he's just brilliant in my favorite movie ever: Frankenstein Created Woman. Thanks, Steve!
Steve, as always, your wordsmithing on this is top notch. That end description of the Van Helsing scene was, in particular, quite beautiful. Thank you for a lovely episode.
This really cheered me up! I love hearing people talk passionately about stuff they love. Really looking forward to rewatching some of his oevre with this video in mind, your joy is contagious! 😄
I agree with everything in this video! One movie you didn’t mention is Horror Express, which isn’t a Hammer film but does fit in with that genre. It also co-stars Christopher Lee. It’s batshit bonkers and a must see. Arrow video put out an amazing Blu ray of it within the last couple years. On the disc’s features is a touching story about how Lee talked him into making the movie after Cushing suffered the loss of his wife. The movie itself is a wild ride that gets more and more off the wall as it goes!
Michael Gough was the Celestial Toymaker in Dr Who, one of the great troupe of British actors who were a safe pair of hands for casting directors in post war Britain.
I watched Hammer Horror films in my hometown theater growing up in the 60's. It's a beautiful 1920's Fox atmospheric theater built with a faux night time starry sky that has blinking stars in the painted sky ceiling. The walls have columns and balconies and the stage curtain is a deep maroon velvet with gold brocade trim. The seats were close enough for a seventh grade geek to put his arm around his screaming date. Screaming because of the movie, not her date. I hope... Anyways, I learned about monsters, love and loss to the flickering image of Peter Cushing striding across that huge screen. It was magical, the movies, the great actors, and the theater itself. BTW,if you are curious, that theater is still in existence and has a dedicated group of locals working hard through a nonprofit organization to keep it up and running. It's the 7th Street Theater in Hoquiam Washington. If you ever get a chance to watch a horror movie,or any movie at that theater, do it. You won't be disappointed.
There's a pretty good non-Hammer horror movie with Cushing and Christopher Lee called Horror Express. I love the story of how that movie got made too; there was an elaborate passenger train set (think Murder on the Orient Express in terms of interior style) that had been made for another movie, and the movie it had been made for had actually been finished early, so the filmmakers had about a week to use it for something else before it was set to be dismantled, and they managed to crank out a solid horror film (that also stars Telly Savalas) in that short a time. Well, they got all the train stuff done in a week anyway. But considering that's more than 3/4th of the film's run time that is still effing impressive. When I covered that movie on my RUclips show, I ranked it in the Top 5 movies of that set. It didn't make Number 1, true, but it's competition there included the iconic The Last Man on Earth.
Oh Goody. I finally got around to watching "Curse of Frankenstein" last night. Cushing really was a legend. "You don't think I've seen your movies? You ALWAYS come back!"-Buffy Summers BTVS 5.01 "Buffy V. Dracula"
I grew up watching Hammer films & knew both Peter Cushing & Christopher Lee from those films. There was a local weekend horror show called Creature Features in the late 60s/early 70s hosted by a guy named Bob Wilkins who was also local ( SF Bay Area/Sacramento TV local channel 2) & every weekend Creature Features showed classic horror movies. The original Night of the Living Dead was even broadcast but it was mostly titles like Creature From the Black Lagoon, Dracula Meets the Wolfman & many, many Hammer films. I'm so delighted to see you doing this!
I do keep forgetting Hammer's first horror film was "Curse of Frankenstein" (I always mistake "Horror of Dracula" being the first). To be even more accurate, the first Hammer film with extensive horror would be "The Quatermass Xperiment" from 1955. (That's the correct spelling of the title). I am also a big fan of Universal Horror films. Hammer Horror is brilliant too.
One of my favourite appearances of Peter Cushing was in the UK TV Series “The Avengers” in an episode called “The Return of the Cybernauts”. He played “the villain of the week” - come to revenge himself upon the Heroes (inc. Dame Diana Rigg at her peak) for the death his brother (Michael Gough) in the previous series. Well worth a watch.
Never realised just how famous Peter Cushing was outside of the UK. The 1958 Dracula is my favourite and a great ending, this movie is 1 year younger than me. Peter Cushing was a great Sherlock Holmes, he also won an award for the TV portrayal of 1984. Great Kudos to you sir for your in-depth knowledge of one of Great Britains great actors.
"Purists can get sucked into the Grimpen Mire for all I care." I think purists would take exception to that you should have said: "Purists can get sucked into the GREAT Grimpen Mire for all I care." :) I don't care about being purist or pedantic about faithfulness in adaption but I do believe in alliteration.
Very insightful and reflective. Thank you for sharing your world with us. I was too a serious fan of the Hammer films and Peter Cushing was one of my favorites. Turner Classic Films had made him the star of the month.
Peter Cushing, who was born in a small village near where I grew up, was, much like Gene Hackman, able to produce a good performance regardless of how bad the rest of the film was. He had this sense of integrity, even when he was playing the deranged Baron Frankenstein. He was also good in the Amicus portmanteau films, such as Dr Terror's House of Horrors and Tales from the Crypt. Perhaps he was a little ambivalent about the fame that Hammer had brought him. He was once quoted as saying, "If I played Hamlet, they'd call it a horror film." (His first film role was in Laurence Olivier's 1948 version of Hamlet but he played Osric, a servant.) Cushing also had a sense of humour about himself. He appeared on a Christmas special of the comedy double act Morecombe & Wise (who were massively popular on British TV in the 70s - their Christmas shows were huge audience pullers). He then came back in subsequent specials trying to get paid for his first appearance, only to be fobbed off by M&W before, eventually several years later (it really was a running gag), tricking them into paying him. Above everything, he was extremely watchable and always worked well with Christopher Lee. There really isn't anyone like him today.
Always loved, the boney-cheeked, Peter Cushing. Of course, he's even better, along side with, Christopher Lee. Especially, in oddball treats like 'The Creeping Flesh', and 'Horror Express'. My two favorite British, sci-fi/horror actors. Michael Gough, is a close runner-up, in that category. Uploader: You actually choose Jeremy Brett, OVER Cushing's Holmes?? Or, even as a better actor?? You're kidding, right🤔⁉️
I have to admit I'm uncultured and will always know of him as Wilhuff Tarkin. My dad watched alot of the old horror films from the era, so Dracula was the one that introduced me to cushing's horror career.
I usually stop in for your Star Trek videos and stumbled upon this gem. I'd love to see more content like this! Now I'm tracking down Hammer Horror films!
I gotta admit: I've not seen the Hammer Horror movies, but now I really want to. EDIT: Ooh, and it looks like there's a 20 film collection of Hammer Horror being released later this month!
Their output was of variable quality, though there is always something diverting in their films. One of my favourites is, "The Devil Rides Out"; with Christopher Lee getting to play a protagonist for a change, and uttering the immortal line, "The Goat of Mendes - the Devil himself!" (it is another Terrence Fisher directed film, so it makes the most of its budget).
I've been watching and reallye njoying the Star Trek videos. Really nice to discover a video about Peter Cushing, and Hammer. I've enjoyed him in so many films. Worthy of note are all fo the anthology productions by Amicus as well as some of their other films where he appeared, like The Beast Must Die. Two essential Cushing roles that I'd really like to point out. one is as Winston Smith in the 1954 BBC production of 1984. he starred opposite Andre Morell, who played OBrien, and was also Watson to his Sherlock Holmes. The two of them reappear again in a little filmf rom 1962 called Cash on Demand. It's a hammer production, but not a horror exactly -- it's like a non-supernatural, thriller/hostage situation take on A Christmas Carol, where Cushing plays a stuffy and unfriendly bank manager who has to learn the value of trust and friendship, among other things, when Morell, posing as an insurance inspector, is going to rob the bank while his accomplices hold Cushing's family hostage. It's got some of the man's best acting and Morell is incredibly suavea nd charming as the likeable villain.
I spent last fall watching some of (what are regarded) the best horror films released by Hammer. I found them visually lush, beautifully directed, well-acted, and intelligent. They had titans in Lee and (especially) Cushing, but they employed a stable of great character actors. Even when films like “The Horror of Dracula” and “The Curse of Frankenstein” departed significantly from their source material, they managed to capture the spirit of the books in a profound manner that indicated real understanding of the characters. For example, they were right to kill off Jonathan Harker. He does nothing in the back half of the book!
Sword of Sherwood Forest was Hammer's second Robin Hood film, btw. The first one was The Men of Sherwood Forest and the third and final one was A Challenge for Robin Hood. They were a kinda-sotra trilogy.
Lovely video. I already enjoyed your channel for the Trek content, but I had no idea you're a Cushing devotee. He's my favourite actor, and I love all the films you mention, so it's delightful to hear you enthuse about him with your trademark articulacy.
I think the first thing I saw Cushing in one of his two Doctor Who films (Which is... My preferred way of watching the first Dalek serial because as good a story it is there isn't really enough there to sustain 175 minutes of television). My favourite thing I've seen him in? This is a weird one, but probably The Uncanny, where he plays a writer pitching a book about how cats secretly rule the world (It's a portmanteau horror film, he's got the linking narrative meaning it's a fairly small roll in terms of run time, but fairly critical to the work as a whole)
"It's not that Cushing's Frankenstein is evil, exactly..." Um, one of the movies is literally named, "The Evil of Frankenstein" jk, my path of appreciation and sentiment for Hammer movies and Peter especially follows very closely to yours, thanks for another great vid!
They say Peter Cushing was King of Hammer Horror well i differ as that so was Christopher lee is was the King of Horror too, they both was enormous and fabulous inb all there films.
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This is actually about Cushing that Mark Hamil tells from Star Wars. Hamil was a really big fan of the Hammer films, and, when he found out that Cushing was in Star Wars and that they didn't have any scenes together, came to the set on two days that Cushing was filming.
So he introduced himself on set and got Cushing to sign some posters for him, and then on a break, Cushing, who by this point was an established and famous actor, took Hamil, who was only 26 and had only been in some TV, to his trailer, where they spent an hour just talking about Cushing's acting, and acting in general, and Cushing told him about being a body double for Leslie Howard in The Man in the Iron Mask, and Hamil basically said the entire thing was one of the best experiences of his life.
My favorite story Hamill tells is about cushing’s lavendar smoking gloves.
Louis Hayward
Not Leslie Howard
One of my favourite Cushing anecdotes was from Stephen Fry, talking about the time he interviewed Cushing for a magazine. During the course of the interview, Cushing asked Fry what he was working on next, to which Fry said he was about to start a project with Christopher Lee and mentioned (half-jokingly) that he was a little intimidated at the thought of working with Dracula.
And apparently without any hesitation, Cushing said “excuse me one second,” picked up the phone on the table next to him, dialled a number, and then; “Hello Chris? It’s Pete here. Listen I have a young chap named Stephen Fry here, says he working with you on something, seems a nice chap. Anyway, I think he’d like an introduction” and then he just passed the phone over to Fry.
Peter Cushing: Professional Icebreaker.
Classy.
Cushing and Lee are probably my two favourite actors of all time. Even if a few of the films they were in weren't the best, they were always the best in the film.
I keep asking why couldn’t they have left us with MORE films. So greedy of me.
There is a story, that has probably been told to death, but I like it anyway, that during the filming of Star Wars, Carrie Fisher, had some real trouble with her scenes with Cushing, not because he was hard to work with, it was the exact opposite. It was Fisher being told to insult Cushing and talk about his "Foul Stench", when the man smelt like Lavender and was the kindest, sweetest man on the planet. She just couldn't bring herself to say such mean things to him, even if it was just acting, until he took her aside and assured her, that it was indeed just acting and it was perfectly okay.
One of my favorite Cushing movies has to be Madhouse.
Cushing opposite Vincent Price playing aging actors reflecting on their careers as they drive each other mad. It's such a delight even despite its flaws.
it's like a Dungeons & Dragons-style alignment chart for Peter Cushing's characters. Van Helsing is Lawful Good, Sherlock Holmes is Chaotic Good, Baron Frankenstein is Chaotic Evil and Grand Moff Tarkin is Lawful Evil.
Peter Cushing's clothes! His outfits in Horror of Dracula are so cool. When he first enters the snowy inn he has that awesome great coat with fur collar and a homburg hat, then a tweed jacket with matching slacks and waist coat. His ties are impeccable; he wears a ring at the top below the knot, super class. Later, when he's dictating, he wears a burgandy velvet suit; the tie ring has a large dark stone. No one could look more classy while driving a stake into someone's heart. He looks sharp in all of the hammer films.
I just can't get over how amazing Cushing was as an actor, but I also blame him for my taste in older men.
I'm sorry to have found this video only just now, because I really, really, REALLY love it. Peter Cushing is my favourite actor ever, and it makes me so happy to see that other people still appreciate him, both as an amazing actor and as an impossibly sweet gentleman.
All the kudos in the world, and all my gratitude, for creating and sharing this video with us!!!
Hammer were incredibly lucky to have two actors with such natural gravitas in their franchise.
I absolutely love Peter Cushing and his roles but man reading his memoirs can make me cry. Still haven't been able to really finish them once I reached the part where his wife passed away. RIP Helen and Peter Cushing.
There's a reason he was brought in as the other well-known actor (with Sir Alec Guinness) to anchor Star Wars.
He was that damn good.
George originally wanted him to be Obi-Wan and Christopher for Tarkin. Peter had to turn down Obi-Wan for the shorter Tarkin role because Peter's schedule couldn't let him be in the sequels.
Another fun fact: John Carpenter wanted either one of the men for Dr Loomis prior to Donald's casting.
💯 per cent correct my friend 👍 George Lucas said himself he was lucky to get him !
"Peter Cushing lives in Whitstable,
You can see him on his bicycle,
He goes shopping for his vegetables"
"Frankenstein Created Woman", with Peter Cushing and Thorely Walters was a great bit of Gothic fun.
Ahh this is brilliant Steve.
I watched this Dracula movie so many times growing up, the ending was just perfect.
Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing worked so well together.
Love anything peter cushing is in. Especially the horrors. I can't get enough of them .as they are so enjoyable to watch. I recently visited his home in Whitstable.
I still love how he made fun of himself on Morecambe and Wise. Legend.
I love this so much, Horror of Dracula is my all-time favorite Dracula movie, and Peter Cushing is amazing. The was you describe him is just lovely and your love of him is so moving. At the the end of your video as you described his Van Helsing comforting the little girl, I got tears in my eyes. You’ve done a great job with this and echoed my love for Cushing and Lee. I’m looking forward to seeing more of your videos now.
STEVE, your celebration of our British Hammer Horror films does me great honor, it's not often we hear Americans enthuse about our cinematic gems. I bow to you, you do us great honor.
Also, we have to bow to Christopher Lee, Cushing'S great friend, and Co-star. A fascinating man
You really should do a piece on Christopher Lee. Peter Cushing was an iconic actor who breathed life into his roles but Lee was badass in and out of his acting roles.
Cushing, Lee and Vincent Price were the Holy Trinity of B Movie Horror films growing up. It's amazing though just how many I've missed until very recently.
Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, world's greatest bromance
Peter kills it in everything & makes all of the Hammer horror films so much more entertaining & interesting when the action scenes take they're breaks , he makes u want to watch him even if he's just doing the most normal things & makes them so interesting even if it's just him ordering a meal at a tavern/pub👌
Steve, I love how much you love these classic films and Mr Cushing, thank-you.
Peter Cushing is the appearance and voice that I picture whenever I read the Sherlock Holmes books. Also, I wish Grand Moff Tarkin lasted longer.
I remember hearing that he absolutely loved working on Star Wars, in stark contrast to his costar Alec Guinness. I also heard that he was initially going to play Obi-Wan, but that could just be me miss remembering things.
He truly was hammer's best. Big fan of Peter. Not just for his work but the fact he was part of a generation that rarely exists now. He was a real genuine gentleman.
Cushing is one of my favourite actors for all the reasons you outline here. Cushing and Lee together were a class act, to put it mildly. Their portrayals in (Horror of) Dracula was one of the first Horror films I ever saw, which is probably why I find so few modern horror films to be engaging at all. Thanks for doing this; I now have a speck of sentiment in my eye.
the [perfect] ending to this wonderful retrospective made me tear up 🥺 what an amazing feature - thank you for showcasing the phenomenon that was Peter Cushing 💝
The ending is great. I also find it a little emotional. I only watched that film about a week ago and Peters Van Helsing has become my comfort character. He just really soothes my anxiety and panic attacks. Partly because of that scene and just his nature overall and his calm, soft voice.
Loved him in Captain Clegg, going from pious minister to ruthless pirate at the flip of a switch.
Came here to say the same thing. A role which gave him a lot to do, including some top notch swashbuckling.
This. This video right here is what my whole opinion about Peter Cushing. I love that scene too and the Freankenstien film is one of my favorites. He was just an amazing man.
Nothing more to add. You said it all.
Thumbs up for the title alone! Peter Cushing was the man! What nightmare he brought my little me ... I just love Hammer movies with Peter Cushing. And yes, Horror of Dracula is still my favourite Dracula Movie. Peter Cushing AND Christopher Lee? Just amazing!
Carrie Fisher found it extremely difficult to say the lines she had with Cushing in Star Wars because he was such a wonderful, warm person. BTW, he usually wore slippers in most of those scenes because the boots that came with the Imperial costume hurt his feet.
Yes, supposedly they had trouble with that when creating CGI Tarkin for Rogue One. You never see his feet in Star Wars.
If I remember correctly, that was because his boots had to be custom made due to his (in his words) "large feet". Apparently they hadn't had time to make them yet, so he very politely asked George Lucas to only film him from the waist up so that he wouldn't be so uncomfortable.
Never knew Steve Shives was such a Peter Cushing fan, or of Hammer movies in general. Props for such a well put together, and enthusiastically presented video.
The ending you talk about with the little girl reminds me of the Justice League episode with Batman and Ace. One of my favorite moments, so great seeing these normally strong & stoic characters have these moments of tenderness.
My love for peter Cushing started when I was around 12 watching him in double bills of Hammer and Amicus films mainly. Learning more about him as a man later on just made me love him more ,and he lived in whitstable a town on the south coast not far from me,there’s a bench on the sea front area dedicated to him called Cushing view as he liked to go there a lot .
🥺🥲❤
I always adored his portrayal of Grand Moff Tarkin. Tarkin may have been the one character capable of keeping Darth Vader on a leash, which is probably why he had to die.
Peter Cushing is my favorite actor.
Me
Too
Oh! I am so glad to see this video! Thank you, Steve, you are the greatest, and Peter Cushing was absolutely awesome. Such a great influence, and he's just brilliant in my favorite movie ever: Frankenstein Created Woman. Thanks, Steve!
Steve, as always, your wordsmithing on this is top notch. That end description of the Van Helsing scene was, in particular, quite beautiful. Thank you for a lovely episode.
This really cheered me up! I love hearing people talk passionately about stuff they love. Really looking forward to rewatching some of his oevre with this video in mind, your joy is contagious! 😄
I agree with everything in this video! One movie you didn’t mention is Horror Express, which isn’t a Hammer film but does fit in with that genre. It also co-stars Christopher Lee. It’s batshit bonkers and a must see. Arrow video put out an amazing Blu ray of it within the last couple years. On the disc’s features is a touching story about how Lee talked him into making the movie after Cushing suffered the loss of his wife. The movie itself is a wild ride that gets more and more off the wall as it goes!
It's a terrific film with a great script. It deserves to be far better-known.
andnowmovie.wordpress.com/2020/05/29/lee-cushing-howard-dan-5-horror-express-1972/
hammer films contributions to the horror genre is deserving of great accolades...
Michael Gough was the Celestial Toymaker in Dr Who, one of the great troupe of British actors who were a safe pair of hands for casting directors in post war Britain.
Peter Cushing was actually one of the stunt men in the Laurel and Hardy film "Chump At Oxford" 1940.
I watched Hammer Horror films in my hometown theater growing up in the 60's. It's a beautiful 1920's Fox atmospheric theater built with a faux night time starry sky that has blinking stars in the painted sky ceiling. The walls have columns and balconies and the stage curtain is a deep maroon velvet with gold brocade trim. The seats were close enough for a seventh grade geek to put his arm around his screaming date. Screaming because of the movie, not her date. I hope... Anyways, I learned about monsters, love and loss to the flickering image of Peter Cushing striding across that huge screen. It was magical, the movies, the great actors, and the theater itself.
BTW,if you are curious, that theater is still in existence and has a dedicated group of locals working hard through a nonprofit organization to keep it up and running. It's the 7th Street Theater in Hoquiam Washington. If you ever get a chance to watch a horror movie,or any movie at that theater, do it. You won't be disappointed.
A video about Klaus Kinski would be fun. This man was mad :D
There's a pretty good non-Hammer horror movie with Cushing and Christopher Lee called Horror Express. I love the story of how that movie got made too; there was an elaborate passenger train set (think Murder on the Orient Express in terms of interior style) that had been made for another movie, and the movie it had been made for had actually been finished early, so the filmmakers had about a week to use it for something else before it was set to be dismantled, and they managed to crank out a solid horror film (that also stars Telly Savalas) in that short a time. Well, they got all the train stuff done in a week anyway. But considering that's more than 3/4th of the film's run time that is still effing impressive. When I covered that movie on my RUclips show, I ranked it in the Top 5 movies of that set. It didn't make Number 1, true, but it's competition there included the iconic The Last Man on Earth.
andnowmovie.wordpress.com/2020/05/29/lee-cushing-howard-dan-5-horror-express-1972/
Oh Goody. I finally got around to watching "Curse of Frankenstein" last night. Cushing really was a legend.
"You don't think I've seen your movies? You ALWAYS come back!"-Buffy Summers BTVS 5.01 "Buffy V. Dracula"
The Hammer horror films are living proof that remakes aren't always of lesser quality than the originals.
I grew up watching Hammer films & knew both Peter Cushing & Christopher Lee from those films. There was a local weekend horror show called Creature Features in the late 60s/early 70s hosted by a guy named Bob Wilkins who was also local ( SF Bay Area/Sacramento TV local channel 2) & every weekend Creature Features showed classic horror movies. The original Night of the Living Dead was even broadcast but it was mostly titles like Creature From the Black Lagoon, Dracula Meets the Wolfman & many, many Hammer films. I'm so delighted to see you doing this!
Terrific appreciation of Cushing. And a terrific ending to the video!
Cushing was one of the greatest actors of all time.
Peter Cushing was also in a "Laurel and Hardy" film called "A Chump at Oxford" (1939).
Great piece Steve. I loved Cushing as Holmes in Hound of the Baskervilles, would have loved to see more.
This was a great video. Not sure how I missed it. I am a very big Cushing fan .
Your love for Horror of Dracula and Peter
Cushing shine through. Great video 😊
I do keep forgetting Hammer's first horror film was "Curse of Frankenstein" (I always mistake "Horror of Dracula" being the first).
To be even more accurate, the first Hammer film with extensive horror would be "The Quatermass Xperiment" from 1955. (That's the correct spelling of the title).
I am also a big fan of Universal Horror films.
Hammer Horror is brilliant too.
Quartermass on BBC put them On the map !
Amazing versatile actor!!!! Wish he was still here! A true gentleman! 😇🙏👻
Peter cushing was a great actor and had such a presence on screen
One of my favourite appearances of Peter Cushing was in the UK TV Series “The Avengers” in an episode called “The Return of the Cybernauts”. He played “the villain of the week” - come to revenge himself upon the Heroes (inc. Dame Diana Rigg at her peak) for the death his brother (Michael Gough) in the previous series. Well worth a watch.
Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee what a combination they made
I love this move now but when I first seen this move I was but a small kid and it scared the bee gees out of me.. He was such a great actor.
Never realised just how famous Peter Cushing was outside of the UK. The 1958 Dracula is my favourite and a great ending, this movie is 1 year younger than me. Peter Cushing was a great Sherlock Holmes, he also won an award for the TV portrayal of 1984.
Great Kudos to you sir for your in-depth knowledge of one of Great Britains great actors.
Just loved the man and his films no matter what ....
Spot On Steve Spot On Peter Cushing Spot On!
Steve I loved this video. Awesome.
The absolute legend.
Great video - Cushing was amazing!
Steve, great ending!
I was hoping that Steve was going to leap on to his desk and tear down the curtains.
"Purists can get sucked into the Grimpen Mire for all I care." I think purists would take exception to that you should have said: "Purists can get sucked into the GREAT Grimpen Mire for all I care." :)
I don't care about being purist or pedantic about faithfulness in adaption but I do believe in alliteration.
Great video and great timing! Thanks for helping me start off my Halloween staycation right!
Hammer Films were my childhood obsession, because we didn't have Star Wars back then. Or Star Trek, even.
Which is strange because I don't think they did a single "attack of the giant spider" type film...
Very insightful and reflective. Thank you for sharing your world with us. I was too a serious fan of the Hammer films and Peter Cushing was one of my favorites. Turner Classic Films had made him the star of the month.
Peter Cushing, who was born in a small village near where I grew up, was, much like Gene Hackman, able to produce a good performance regardless of how bad the rest of the film was. He had this sense of integrity, even when he was playing the deranged Baron Frankenstein. He was also good in the Amicus portmanteau films, such as Dr Terror's House of Horrors and Tales from the Crypt. Perhaps he was a little ambivalent about the fame that Hammer had brought him. He was once quoted as saying, "If I played Hamlet, they'd call it a horror film." (His first film role was in Laurence Olivier's 1948 version of Hamlet but he played Osric, a servant.) Cushing also had a sense of humour about himself. He appeared on a Christmas special of the comedy double act Morecombe & Wise (who were massively popular on British TV in the 70s - their Christmas shows were huge audience pullers). He then came back in subsequent specials trying to get paid for his first appearance, only to be fobbed off by M&W before, eventually several years later (it really was a running gag), tricking them into paying him. Above everything, he was extremely watchable and always worked well with Christopher Lee. There really isn't anyone like him today.
This is such a great video it was alot if fun having all these movies I love getting praise much appreciated
Whoa! A video I didn't know I wanted from you but love that you made. Excellent stuff!
(But how could you forget the magnum opus, Island of Terror??)
Dammit, Steve, stop feeding my Peter Cushing-crush. >:V
Always loved, the boney-cheeked, Peter Cushing. Of course, he's even better, along side with, Christopher Lee. Especially, in oddball treats like 'The Creeping Flesh', and 'Horror Express'. My two favorite British, sci-fi/horror actors. Michael Gough, is a close runner-up, in that category. Uploader: You actually choose Jeremy Brett, OVER Cushing's Holmes?? Or, even as a better actor?? You're kidding, right🤔⁉️
I have to admit I'm uncultured and will always know of him as Wilhuff Tarkin. My dad watched alot of the old horror films from the era, so Dracula was the one that introduced me to cushing's horror career.
I usually stop in for your Star Trek videos and stumbled upon this gem. I'd love to see more content like this! Now I'm tracking down Hammer Horror films!
The only sad thing unlike Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing was never nighted. But other then that Cushing is one of kind and can never be replaced
I gotta admit: I've not seen the Hammer Horror movies, but now I really want to.
EDIT: Ooh, and it looks like there's a 20 film collection of Hammer Horror being released later this month!
Their output was of variable quality, though there is always something diverting in their films. One of my favourites is, "The Devil Rides Out"; with Christopher Lee getting to play a protagonist for a change, and uttering the immortal line, "The Goat of Mendes - the Devil himself!" (it is another Terrence Fisher directed film, so it makes the most of its budget).
Steveo, great to see you are branching out😀
One of your best. thank you.
I've been watching and reallye njoying the Star Trek videos. Really nice to discover a video about Peter Cushing, and Hammer.
I've enjoyed him in so many films. Worthy of note are all fo the anthology productions by Amicus as well as some of their other films where he appeared, like The Beast Must Die.
Two essential Cushing roles that I'd really like to point out. one is as Winston Smith in the 1954 BBC production of 1984. he starred opposite Andre Morell, who played OBrien, and was also Watson to his Sherlock Holmes. The two of them reappear again in a little filmf rom 1962 called Cash on Demand. It's a hammer production, but not a horror exactly -- it's like a non-supernatural, thriller/hostage situation take on A Christmas Carol, where Cushing plays a stuffy and unfriendly bank manager who has to learn the value of trust and friendship, among other things, when Morell, posing as an insurance inspector, is going to rob the bank while his accomplices hold Cushing's family hostage. It's got some of the man's best acting and Morell is incredibly suavea nd charming as the likeable villain.
I spent last fall watching some of (what are regarded) the best horror films released by Hammer. I found them visually lush, beautifully directed, well-acted, and intelligent. They had titans in Lee and (especially) Cushing, but they employed a stable of great character actors. Even when films like “The Horror of Dracula” and “The Curse of Frankenstein” departed significantly from their source material, they managed to capture the spirit of the books in a profound manner that indicated real understanding of the characters. For example, they were right to kill off Jonathan Harker. He does nothing in the back half of the book!
This was an awesome video! I’m here for the Star Trek but will stay for this stuff.
In "A Chump at Oxford with laurel and Hardy," Peter is featured leading a gang of bloodthirsty students as they march against the unfortunate pair.
Always excited to hear your thoughts on media, would love to see more of the branching out.
Awesome video I could not agree more! Best period of horror movies ever.
Sword of Sherwood Forest was Hammer's second Robin Hood film, btw. The first one was The Men of Sherwood Forest and the third and final one was A Challenge for Robin Hood. They were a kinda-sotra trilogy.
The only reason I went to Star Wars was because Peter was in it! Great video!
Me too. Cushing and Guinness of all the people involved in Star Wars were the only names I knew and both names meant quality.
Lovely video. I already enjoyed your channel for the Trek content, but I had no idea you're a Cushing devotee. He's my favourite actor, and I love all the films you mention, so it's delightful to hear you enthuse about him with your trademark articulacy.
Twins of Evil is a bit of a guilty pleasure :)
Was, Is and remain the
King of Hammer Horror movies
I think the first thing I saw Cushing in one of his two Doctor Who films (Which is... My preferred way of watching the first Dalek serial because as good a story it is there isn't really enough there to sustain 175 minutes of television). My favourite thing I've seen him in? This is a weird one, but probably The Uncanny, where he plays a writer pitching a book about how cats secretly rule the world (It's a portmanteau horror film, he's got the linking narrative meaning it's a fairly small roll in terms of run time, but fairly critical to the work as a whole)
"It's not that Cushing's Frankenstein is evil, exactly..."
Um, one of the movies is literally named, "The Evil of Frankenstein"
jk, my path of appreciation and sentiment for Hammer movies and Peter especially follows very closely to yours, thanks for another great vid!
But that was Ralph Bates as Frankenstein. Loopholed!
Actually, you're right, fair play! I was thinking the Horror of Frankenstein!
Well in one of the Frankenstein movies he rapes his house guest. That was shocking and very unexpected.
The hammer films gave birth to one of my favorite video game franchises, Castlevania
They say Peter Cushing was King of Hammer Horror well i differ as that so was Christopher lee is was the King of Horror too, they both was enormous and fabulous inb all there films.
Dr. Frankenstein, Dr. Van Helsing, Dr. Who, plus he was an avid miniature wargamer - What's not to like?
This was a departure for you, but it was fantastic!
No Dracula without the wondrous acting of young Keanu Reeves could *ever* be the _best_ Dracula movie.