A few comments on Peter Cushing

Matthew · 18th November 2001, 06:20 AM

Peter Cushing is the only actor whom I have seen that I would rank as an equal if not a superior to Christopher Lee. Not only have Cushing Lee worked together in pefect sync in multiple films, Cushing has been able to hold his own in worse-than-second-rate movies involving ridiculous plot lines, disgusting special effects, and horrible supporting casts.

One example in which I have seen all of these three awful elements molded into one film (out of the approximate ninety movies involving Mr. Cushing, I have seen twenty of them in my so far short existence of fourteen years) was Island of Terror. (I swear the goo coming out of the turtle/vacuum-cleaner "monsters" was congealed oat-meal.) This movie would be dubbed on a personal level as one only required to complete a collection of Cushing movies. He is really the only good actor in the film, providing a serious yet slightly comedic performance that was highly impressive.

One of the few reasons I feel Vincent Price is far more widely known than Mr. Cushing is that he was in better-made movies. Cushing fans will agree that he was one of the best actors of his time and of times yet to come.

In an afterthought, a reply to the original thread of what is my favorite Cushing film without Mr. Lee would probably have to be either The Revenge of Frankenstein or Frankenstein must be Destroyed. These are two very powerful performances of the good Baron. Yet, this may or may not be an accurate decision due to the fact that I have seen but twenty movies with him in it.

**Don Boycik** · 18th November 2001, 10:05 AM

i can't argue there on Peter cushing has done some bad movies.the differnce between him an vincent price is in some movies v. price gives a bad performance not that many i have to say that. but not all actors give it there all v.price was forced to do the bad movies was in his contract so he didn't really care he just wanted to get it over with he knew they were bad. but what i am getting at is with p. cushing he always gives it his best even when he knows it's
bad movie. but one of his i really didn't like was
The vampire lovers a lot of people like it yes i didn't. was too boring for me i couldn't wait till
it ended an his role is maybe 10 min if that.but house of long shadows is a great p.cushing movie.
U should see that one if u can find it

sunnydale5 · 6th December 2001, 12:31 PM

I've seen The Vampire Lovers two or three times. It is quite boring and for the most part badly acted. Ingrid Pitt wasn't in the film for her acting talent. When Peter is on screen, however, the film picks up. Sadly he only has a few scenes at the start, looking splendid in dress uniform as General Spielsdorf, but when he reappears at the end his decapitating of Ingrid Pitt is the films highlight. He repeats the performance to greater efffect in the excellent Twins of Evil.
I have seen very many of Peter's performances in drivel like Shock Waves, through the bizarreness of Scream and Scream Again to classics like Dracula. I thoroughly enjoyed his performance as Dr. Abner Perry in At the Earth's Core but I think my favourite Peter film withouit Christopher Lee has to be The Abominable Snowman of the Himalayas. The Nigel Neale script is excellent and Peter shines throughout. This movie is well worth a look for anyone who enjoys Peter's work. I recently got a copy on DVD which is of superb quality and has a documentary as well.

Lamoreux · 9th December 2001, 01:13 AM

My favorite Peter Cushing roles are his eccentric characters; At the Earth's Core, the 'Weird Tailor' segment of Asylum, his wonderful Coroner from Legend of the Werewolf, and who could forget his heartrending performance in the 'Valentine' segment of Tales From the Crypt.
While these are far from his "best" films; they are among his most endearing performances.

NITESHO · 13th December 2001, 02:44 PM

Cushing is the reason I became an acotr, and while he has appeared in less than stellar films (BLOOD BEAST TERROR) he is always a joy.

When he appears in great films
FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED,
CASH ON DEMAND,and END OF THE AFFAIR ,
he is truly brilliant.

God bless you St Pete..

LordArthur75062 · 16th December 2001, 05:07 PM

Upon a closer and clearer viewing of Island,I discovered that the amazingly vomitorious glop issuing from the beast is actually cold chicken-noodle soup.How's that for a CANNED budget?

NITESHO · 16th December 2001, 05:27 PM

Obviously, horror films hate soup-- THE EXORCIST, ISLAND OF TERROR ....

**Alfonso Casal** · 27th December 2001, 08:57 AM

Quote:

He is really the only good actor in the film, providing a serious yet slightly comedic performance that was highly impressive.

I have fond childhood memories ofIsland of Terror and still pop it into the VCR every once in a while. For me it's an almost archetypal good ol' bug-eyed monster (OK, tentacled) movie. It's just plain fun to watch. Besides, I think you inadvertently short-changed the always watchable Eddie Byrne as the island's resident MD.

NITESHO · 27th December 2001, 02:22 PM

I still recall the shock of watching Cushing having his hand lopped off ! This doesnt happen to the hero, I thought, and that meant anything could happen-- that they all COULD die !! The ending was therefore much more suspenseful ...

and by the way, Cushing is the reason I became an ACTOR, but has nothing to do with my terrible typing ......

Happy holidays all....

**Frederick Bergstrom** · 29th December 2001, 03:43 AM

my wife never watches horror movies, she hates them..anyway Peter Cushing story..For xmas I got Blood Beast Terror ..I had never seen it before and heard Peter thought it was his worst film role.. I read a lot about it and knew it wasnt a classic but i put on my dvd list anyway...So im watching the other night with my wife( if i knew she would be home that night i would have put the Hammer Mummy in ah what a bad choice for her to watch) anyway half way through i say wow this isnt a great movie i would have done this a little different..she goes why did you want it , why are we watching it and why did i pay 24 bucks for it?
simple and why im replying to this thread. ... Peter Cushing !!!
the movies not the greatest but i will watch it again and again because of Peter Cushing. If he wasnt in it I wouldnt have any desire to see it let alone watch it

NITESHO · 29th December 2001, 06:54 PM

I have to agree with the Missus on that one... still, Cushing is wonderful in it..

maybe you should show her MANIA....

lordsummerisle8 · 11th January 2002, 12:18 AM

Now that was an excellent film. Proper title is "Flesh and the Fiends" though and Cushing is superb in it. Its definately my fav PC flick after "Dracula". Donald Pleasence i think gives one of his best performances as Hare. He was another actor he was vastly underated and made alot of bad movies but like cushing brought dignity to his role.

NITESHO · 11th January 2002, 06:12 AM

Also called THE GHASTLY GHOULS.....

Superlative film on the Burke & Hare tale..

George Rose (later to find fame on Broadway in PIRATES OF PENZANCE before being murdered in real life) was amazing as half of the demonic pair, and Pleasance was superb...

Rocky2001 · 11th January 2002, 03:25 PM

Peter Cushing's preparation for each role was uniquely meticulous.

Not many actors could dominate a scene which they were in like he did - Peter Cushing's contribution always seemed more noticeable than anybody else's even if it was a minor one.

He could enhance a good script with a top-notch, perfectly judged performance. eg. "Twins of Evil", "The Creeping Flesh" "Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed", "Dracula", to name but a few.

He also lent distinct credibility to rather more dubiously scripted/plotted films, eg. "The Ghoul", "House of the Long Shadows", "Dracula A.D. 1972".

Undoubtedly, I would watch any Peter Cushing film whatever it's quality was!!

NITESHO · 11th January 2002, 05:56 PM

Indeed- Cushing's preparedness & meticulous work on his craft was the inspiration for me to become an actor..