Wednesday 14 October 2015

VERONICA CARLSON : WOMEN IN GOTHIC : THE HAMMER FRANKENSTEIN SERIES : PART FIVE


After his somewhat more mellow mood in both The Evil of Frankenstein and Frankenstein Created Woman, the Baron's personality darkened considerably in Fisher's Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed (1969). Perhaps frustrated by his continued failed experiments, Frankenstein has never been more ruthless than in this film. Another fine cast was assembled, including Peter Cushing, Freddie Jones, George Pravda and Simon Ward, but who would be the mistresses of Frankenstein in this episode?



First and foremost was Veronica Carlson, who had just been bitten by Christopher Lee in Dracula Has Risen From the Grave (1968) and was being touted as 'Hammer's new star discovery.' Aged twenty-four at the time, Carlson had been 'discovered' by Sir James Carreras after a revealing photo shoot for the Sun newspaper.


The statuesque blonde actress had been born in Yorkshire as Veronica Mary Glazer and had spent part of her childhood in Germany, where her father was stationed with the British Army. She later attended Thetford Girls' School  and High Wycome College of Technology and Design, where she studied art and acted in several theatrical productions.


Prior to being spotted by Carreras, Carlson had appeared in the Morecombe and Wise comedy The Magnificent Two (1967) and a movie ironically titled Hammerhead (1968). An episode of The Saint' with Roger Moore in 68 also 'Crossplot' a film, again with Roger Moore also produced in 1969.



As Anna, the keeper of a boarding house where Frankenstein decides to hide out and perform his experiments, Carlson has never been better. One of the best scenes in the film - indeed, in any Frankenstein film - features Anna having to haul a body out of a makeshift grave in a flower garden after a water main has burst. Under Fisher's masterful direction, the scene is as tense as anything in a Hitchcock film, and Anna ends up completely drenched, but successful in transferring the corpse to another hiding place so the police can't find it. It's an extraordinary scene and Carlson is exceptional in it.


The most controversial element of Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed is the inclusion of the infamous rape scene, in which the Baron, overcome by lust, attacks Anna in her bedroom. Included as an afterthought three days before the end of production and apparently demanded by James Carreras by way of Warner Bros, the scene was ultimately cut in the US - by Warner Bros, who had ordered it in the first place!


In her foreword to my book The Hammer Frankenstein, Carlson recalled the incident thusly: 'We were setting the scenes for the morning shoot on Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed when James Carreras made a sudden, dramatic, noisy appearance. High above his head he was brandishing sheets of paper. He snapped angrily, 'I've just been told there's not enough sex in this picture - so here's the new scene that's just been written!' He thrust the papers at Terry, who said simply, 'But we've set the scene of the film - the mood - we've nearly finished shooting!' To no avail. Terry looked through the sheets of paper whilst James Carreras made as sudden and loud a departure as his entrance had been.


'Terry glanced round at us all, looking straight at Peter and myself, then threw the papers into the air and abruptly walked away, leaving the offending scene fluttering, then settling in disarray upon the floor.


'We resolved to shoot that scene, as fans of Hammer know. But I've always felt that it undermined the essence of just what defined "Frankenstein." He was by definition the essence of a truly asexual man, driven single-mindedly in his torment to form an animate creature - especially Man.'



With all due respect to Veronica, whom I've been fortunate enough to call a friend for over 25 years, there was certainly nothing asexual about Frankenstein in The Curse of Frankenstein. He may have ignored his beautiful fiancee, but he had impregnated his maid. The rape scene in Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed is not really out of character. Hammer's Baron had been a murderer (and something of a lecher) from the very first film. Now he was a rapist as well. It really wasn't that much of a leap.


The Baron has never been more of a misogynist than he is in Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed. From the time he first meets her, he treats Anna like chattel. When her boyfriend Karl (Ward) pleads to Frankenstein, 'You don't need Anna,' the Baron sniffs, 'I need her to make coffee!' 



In that context, the rape scene can be seen to make sense as the logical outcome of a master/slave relationship. During the history of the series, Frankenstein has had only one 'normal' relationship with a woman - the one with Justine. But with the maid murdered by his Creature - and by proxy, by Frankenstein himself - the Baron's sex drive has been suppressed in favour of his experiments, making him not only increasingly deranged, but more dangerous and unpredictable as well.


 Warner Brothers 'Horror Classics Volume One' Blu Ray Box Set is 
ON SALE NOW ORDER: HERE


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Saturday 10 October 2015

WARNER BROTHERS CLASSIC HORROR HAMMER BLU RAY BOX SET COMPETITION


COMPETITION NOW CLOSED! SEE WINNERS AT BOTTOM OF THIS FEATURE!

Just a reminder that our competition where you can win yourself one of two complete blu ray box sets of HORROR CLASSICS from Warner Brothers is still open, but closes on WEDNESDAY 14th OCT at midnight! The competition is running here on petercushingappreciationsociety.com, the peter cushing appreciation society facebook fan page and our website theblackboxclub.com. Also you can purchase your set or the individual releases from here at AMAZON


Here also is my review of the box set, should you want to check out it's spec first :) It's a rarity among vintage releases these days... Truly, it's faultless!

"All the films in this package, technically are flawless. All four movies have been remastered in 1080p and are presented in their original aspect ratios.THE MUMMY in 1.66:1, Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed, Dracula Has Risen From The Grave and Taste The Blood Of Dracula in 1.85:1. With each film you'll be very happy to discover there no print drop outs or blemishes anywhere to be seen, the colour and contrast is solid and each film has an amazing detail, like you would never have seen in any of these films previous releases.


As with, Warner's dvd release of TASTE THE BLOOD OF DRACULA, the blu-ray here restores over four minutes of footage that was originally removed from the U.S. theatrical print and the previous VHS release too. Where TASTE was originally rated GP, according it has now been given an R rating.

The reinstated scenes are as follows: The shots of Dracula's blood changing to powder in the prologue; there is also extended shots in the brothel scenes, including a snake charmer's dance shot and some topless nudity, the violent beating of Ralph Bate's, Lord Courtley is extended, and; Dracula's violent, snarling attack on a female victim. Also, all the major death scenes have some extended footage, including more glimpses of Christopher Lee's writhing Dracula!


The HORROR CLASSICS package also includes a complete and uncut version of FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED. The notorious rape scene that was originally snipped from all U.S. versions, is now back. In line with visuals of the films in this package, I am pleased to say, the English audio tracks (DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0) are also perfect!


Each film also comes complete with additional French, and Spanish (both Castilian and Latin) language tracks with optional English SDH, French, Spanish (both Castilian and Latin) subtitles. In addition, both DRACULA films include German audio tracks and German subtitles. Each film comes with its original theatrical trailer.


The outstanding quality of this box set from it's presentation packaging to the over all quality of the films themselves, puts this release way above any previous releases of the titles and would be a fantastic addition to any collectors or Hammer fans film library! Well Done WARNER!




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Thursday 8 October 2015

AMICUS VAULT OF HORRORS DVD: DONALD FEARNEY'S DEFINITIVE DOCUMENTARY ON THE WORKS OF SUBOTSKY AND ROSENBERG


Here's an exclusive for you! You remember Donald Fearney's EXCLUSIVE AMICUS BOOK we shared with you earlier this year, and the news that the book would be followed up with a documentary on Amicus from Donald also??? Well, the good news is, IT'S HERE! Or rather, it's at the LONDON FILM CONVENTION Westminster on Saturday November 14th 2015! This eagerly anticipated documentary goes on sale at the convention for the first time on this day and it's expected that business will be BRISK!

'Milton Subotsky's and Max Rosenberg's Amicus Vault of Horrors, promises to be the definitive works on Amicus. Over two hours in duration, covering every film that Amicus produced, packed with rare footage, photographs, interviews and limited to only 500 copies. One of the highlights is an interview with Milton Subotsky, never before seen, that PCAS shot in 1981. Among those interviewed are David Warner, Geoffrey Bayldon, Linda Hayden, Caroline Munro and many others. The narration is provided by Roy Hudd.

The price for the dvd purchased at the convention is £15.00. We will have FOUR copies up for grabs in a competition here on our page and website on November 14th too! You will also be able to purchase copies through PCAS in the near future during November. The dvd is region 0. This means it can be played on any dvd player...in any country! Here's a first draft of the cover, which cleverly reproduces the cover style of the comic stories that provided the background for many of the Amicus very popular portmanteau films, like Tales from the Crypt, Dr Terrors House of Horrors and Vault of Horror. It's a rare pic of the two lads too, not often seen and quite shy of the camera. And there's lots more where that came from. All on the DVD!  

So, if you are planning to attend the London Film Convention on November 14th, do pop along and see Donald at his stand and grab yourself a copy, and say hello! He'll be pleased to see you!

Come and join over 20,000 others at our official PCAS Facebook Fan
Page. Just CLICK: HERE 

DRESSED BY ANGELS EXHIBITION : DRACULA AND SHERLOCK COSTUME ON DISPLAY : LADY GITTE LEE ATTENDS


Dressed By Angels: Here's an exhibition that may interest some of you. Angels have made a trawl through their stock to present a 'best of ' for their exhibition 'Dressed By Angels. Included are Cushing's Sherlock Holmes costume from Hammer's Hound of the Baskervilles' and a replica of Lee's costume from 'Dracula Has Risen From The Grave'. Both look great, plus there's some tv Doctor who costumes too!


The exhibition held it's grand opening on October 1st. The guests included Chairman of Angels Tim Angel, Director Sir Alan Parker, Director and Actor John Landis, Fashion Photographer Tim Walker as well as Lady Gitte Lee, Su Pollard, and June Hudson.


Just one thing puzzles me. Both Baskervilles and Risen were dressed by the company Bermans who actually MADE the costumes too. Angels bought out Bermans in 1992. So, what exactly is the connection between Angels and these and many of the films that were also dressed by Bermans being celebrated here? Also Angels claimed to have found Cushing fur collared overcoat from Dracula a few years ago, a long with David Peel's cloak...no sign of these at the exhibition, two items I would have loved to have seen.


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Monday 5 October 2015

OUTSTANDING WARNER BROTHERS HAMMER RELEASE! WIN YOUR COPY OF THE HORROR CLASSICS BLU RAY BOX SET


JOIN US FOR OUR FIRST COMPETITION TOMORROW!


WARNER BROTHERS: HORROR CLASSICS CAN BE ORDERED NOW: HERE 

Tomorrow, September 6th, Warner Bros release their very impressive  HAMMER HORROR CLASSICS VOLUME ONE blu ray box set. FOUR Hammer classics, TWO starring Peter Cushing the fantastic 'Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed' starring Veronica Carlson and Freddie Jones and 'The Mummy' starring both Cushing and the late Sir Christopher Lee. PLUS there's 'Taste The Blood of Dracula' with you know who as Dracula....AND 'Dracula Has Risen From the Grave'....again with Christopher Lee as Dracula supported by Veronica Carlson, Michael Ripper and Rupert Davies.

We are launching the FIRST of our PCAS HALLOWEEN COMPETITIONS TOMORROW where we have TWO COPIES OF HORROR CLASSICS UP FOR GRABS! Enter the competition either here or at our Peter Cushing Appreciation Society Facebook Fan Page or at our theblackboxclub.com website.

This superb box set contains the following films:


THE MUMMY: Christopher Lee wraps on the moldy gauze bandages to become the tormented Kharis, an avenger stalking the hills of Victorian England to track down desecration of his beloved's Egyptian tomb. Starring Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee and Yvonne Furneaux. Directed by Terence Fisher. 


FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED: Peter Cushing is Baron Frankenstein, whose experiment has gone dead wrong in Hammer Studios' fifth Frankenstein saga. Featuring Freddie Jones as the scientist's pitiable new creation. FIRST TIME ON BLU RAY! Starring Peter Cushing, Simon Ward, Veronica Carlson and Freddie Jones. Directed by Terence Fisher. 


DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE: Playing Bram Stoker's infamous vampire for the third time, Christopher Lee goes fang-to-cross with the forces of good in this atmospheric, stylish film, in which each night brings the threat of death. FIRST TIME ON BLU RAY. Starring Christopher Lee, Veronica Carlson, Rupert Davies, Barbara Ewing, Barry Andrews and Ewan Hooper. Directed by Freddie Francis.


TASTE THE BLOOD OF DRACULA: This entry in Hammer Studios' cycle of hemogobbling Victorian-era horror showcases why Hammer became the name in Gothic terror. Christopher Lee again dons his cape to become Evil Incarnate. FIRST TIME ON BLU RAY. Starring Christopher Lee, Linda Hayden, Ralph Bates, Isla Blair, John Carson, Martin Jarvis, Anthony Higgins and Micheal Ripper. Directed by Peter Sasdy.

WARNER BROTHERS: HORROR CLASSICS CAN BE ORDERED NOW: HERE 
 

All the films in this package, technically are flawless. All four movies have been remastered in 1080p and are presented in their original aspect ratios.THE MUMMY in 1.66:1, Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed, Dracula Has Risen From The Grave and Taste The Blood Of Dracula in 1.85:1. With each film you'll be very happy to discover there no print drop outs or blemishes anywhere to be seen, the colour and contrast is solid and each film has an amazing detail, like you would never have seen in any of these films previous releases. 

As with, Warner's dvd release of TASTE THE BLOOD OF DRACULA, the blu-ray here restores over four minutes of footage that was originally removed from the U.S. theatrical print and the previous VHS release too. Where TASTE was originally rated GP, according it has now been given an R rating. 

The reinstated scenes are as follows: The shots of Dracula's blood changing to powder in the prologue; there is also extended shots in the brothel scenes, including a snake charmer's dance shot and some topless nudity, the violent beating of Ralph Bate's, Lord Courtley is extended, and; Dracula's violent, snarling attack on a female victim. Also, all the major death scenes have some extended footage, including more glimpses of Christopher Lee's writhing Dracula! 

The HORROR CLASSICS package also includes a complete and uncut version of FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED. The notorious rape scene that was originally snipped from all U.S. versions, is now back. In line with visuals of the films in this package, I am pleased to say, the English audio tracks (DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0) are also perfect!

Each film also comes complete with additional French, and Spanish (both Castilian and Latin) language tracks with optional English SDH, French, Spanish (both Castilian and Latin) subtitles. In addition, both DRACULA films include German audio tracks and German subtitles. Each film comes with its original theatrical trailer.

The outstanding quality of this box set from it's presentation packaging to the over all quality of the films themselves, puts this release way above any previous releases of the titles and would be a fantastic addition to any collectors or Hammer fans film library! Well Done, Warner! 



Join us  at our FACEBOOK FAN PAGE : HERE

Sunday 4 October 2015

HALLOWEEN PRIZES BOX SETS BLU RAYS DVDS AND GOODIES UP FOR GRABS THROUGHOUT OCTOBER!


BLU RAY BOX SETS, BLU RAYS, DVD's BOOKS and GOODIES..
ALL UP FOR GRABS!!

For those of you who still remember our HALLOWEEN 2014 COMPETITIONS PRIZES, you'll know we like to treat our friends and followers to only the best...and THIS YEAR will be no exception. Not only are we going to be launching our traditional HALLOWEEN COMPETITIONS, but we are also kicking off a whole raft of GIVEAWAY PRIZES and ONE HOUR COMPETITIONS on the weekends and weekdays, right across all our websites and pages, the Peter Cushing Appreciation Society Facebook Fan Page, this website petercushingapprecaitionsociety.com  AND  theblackboxclub.com

It's going to be a GREAT OCTOBER and another FEARSOME HALLOWEEN with loads of fabulous PRIZES TO DIE FOR!! It's going to be a SCREAM! Look Out all this week for details!


Please VISIT and JOIN our Official PCAS Facebook Fan Page: HERE 


Please VISIT and JOIN our companion website The Black Box Club: HERE  

Friday 2 October 2015

ONE MAN AND HIS BIKE : HOW PETER CUSHING LEARNED TO RIDE HIS BICYCLE


'Come along "brighteyes" (as he had christened me), I'll teach you how to ride a bike', said David and he did. I wanted to learn so that I could play those Tom Mix games in the garden."

"The go-cart was my pride and joy, but to my aesthetic eye it could not pass muster as a horse, whereas a bicycle could at least be mounted. David had worked on the principal: 'What the eye doesn't see….' To start with, he held the back of the saddle to keep me on an even keel, as I wobbled about grinding away at the peddles."


"Persevering with this unsteady balancing act some weeks later, prattling away to him, I received no response to something I'd asked and, turning my head, saw him a quarter of a mile or so up the road, waving encouragingly. I promptly fell off!"


Peter Cushing with the bicycle he owned as an adult. He happily rode it around his home town of Whitstable, until swerving to avoid a wandering dog in the street one day, he fell off it and damaged his hip. Sadly, he released his bike riding days were over. He eventually gave the bicycle to a charity who auctioned it!


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