NEWS

PETER CUSHING IS BACK!

Hammer Horror legend Peter Cushing is returning to the big screen! Well his
voice is! Welsh based Burn Hand Film Productions have teamed up with new
horror label British Phoenix films and produced "THE LOST" A horror film set in WWI. The film has just finished a successful festival run and is
available to buy on DVD in the coming weeks. Directed by Neil Jones (Known
for his gritty debut THE BOND, and currently filming RISEN starring John
Noble and Brian Blessed), THE LOST, which features a recording of Cushing
shortly before he died, is expected to make a big impact in the horror world and rumour has it that there are two sequels in store! Jones was quoted as saying "The Lost will really get the Independent film world talking..."

For more information check out www.britishphoenix.co.uk

Peter Martin has created a wonderful tribute CD to Peter Cushing which contains video and still clips of Peter Cushing set to music. This project was done to share Peter Cushing's memory with his fans so no profits will be made. Only postage is required. Please contact Peter Martin directly about this CD at:

You can also read more about the Peter Cushing CD and even download a short clip from it from visiting the following webpage:

All in the Blood: The Theatrical Ancestry of Sir Peter Cushing explores the familial history of the Cushing family on the British stage from the early 1700's to 1899. It includes chapters on the so-called "Rogues and Vagabonds" linked to the early days of British theatre and the geneaology of the Cushing family, especially John Cushing; a detailed and informative analysis of Sir Henry Irving and the Lyceum Theatre; the actors and actresses of the Lyceum employed by Irving; the "Mysterious Mr. Cushing," the paternal grandfather of Peter Cushing who worked as an actor at the Lyceum from 1890 to 1897 and appeared in numerous important plays; there is also an in-depth analysis of Henry Cushing's involvement with Bram Stoker and his connections with "Dracula;" and lastly, "The Cushing Legacy" which explores some unanswered questions about the Cushing family's links to British theatre. A full bibliography and notes are also included. In essence, All In The Blood reveals facts and information which has never been in print until now and sheds new light on the history of British theatre and the ephemeral actors who made it all possible.

EBOOK--124 pages

$12.00 per copy

Free Excerpts—Preface & Introduction

URL: http://www.booklocker.com/books/2345.html

* * * * *

You can order this book directly from Nick Gadd by sending fifteen pounds (English Sterling) to:

CINEMA RETRO: the Essential Guide to Cult and Classic Movies is a new 64-page full colour magazine devoted to those great films of the 60’s and 70’s (but we will probably be tempted to delve into the archives from the 40s and 50s too!). Its aim is to feature in each photo-infested issue:

A major in-depth look at a classic film or film series. Cinema sirens: photos of those delicious sexy actresses whom we all long to see again. Reproductions of some of the greatest poster art of all time. Exclusive interviews with actors, producers and directors from films of this period. Have regular columns about the films of Clint Eastwood, Alfred Hitchcock, Hammer Horror, Italian Spaghetti Westerns, great Hollywood actors and actresses - and much, much more!

Don't miss WWW.CINEMARETRO.COM and see the new full colour magazine devoted
to the films of the 1960's and 1970's. Written about and by the writers, actors, producers and directors of the classic and cult films of the era. Every issue is a limited edition collector's item. Coming soon: The premiere issue with full coverage of "The Great Escape"; Steve McQueen: The lost interview (a world exclusive!); Clint Eastwood's fourth 'Dollar' film - the inside story; Never before published behind the scenes photos on location with the James Bond epic "Thunderball"; Exclusive interview with producer Euan Lloyd on the making of "The Wild Geese", "Shalako" and his memories of Cubby Broccoli; The 'Real' Van Helsing: Peter Cushing (by me!); This Was Cinerama;Tribute to sex siren Barbara Bach; plus CD reviews, rare movie poster art and press photos, and regular columns written by actors Richard Kiel and Caroline Munro. Don't miss it!

THE FIRST 1000 SUBSCRIBERS WILL RECEIVE A FREE COMPACT DISC OF MOVIE RADIO ADVERTS! Go to ‘NEWS’ for further details

This beautiful painting of Peter Cushing was done by Hammer star Veronica Carlson to be auctioned in aid of The Peter Cushing Memorial Window Fund. Details of the auction - to take place December 7th so that postal bids may be made - details are below:

The rules of the auction seem quite complex and anyone interested in bidding should contact the above . The portrait of Ralph by Veronica Carlson fetched over one thousand pounds at Bray and our personal bias apart , this is a much finer piece so we're hoping it will make a lot for the Peter Cushing Memorial Window Fund.

Photograph copyright Colin Cowie / Special thanks to Sue Cowie for the information

Below: Flier for the Whitstable tribute to Peter Cushing. Click on the image for regular size. Special thanks to Tony Battock for the flier.

Article on the Whitstable tribute to Peter Cushing below (in two parts). Click on the image to see the article at regular size. Special thanks to Antony Parker for providing the article.

The Whitstable tribute to Peter Cushing begin on Wednesday, July 14th at the Whitstable Museum. On hand for the event were Joyce Broughton, special guest Francis Matthews, and many of Peter Cushing's fans. More news on the opening of the tribute will be posted here soon. Below is a photo taken at the event of Joyce Broughton and Peter Cushing fan Tony Battock.

There will also be an open time on August 15th with some special to be named guests talking about their own lives and of their memories of working with Peter Cushing. The event will be a ticket only affair hoping to accommodate at least 100 people. The exhibition will run from July until November 6th. As soon as I hear further details I will pass them on here.

This summer of 2004 Whitstable has decided to honour its most famous former resident on the tenth anniversary of his passing. Listed below are the tentative plans that are currently in the works for the event. It should be noted that all proceeds raised from this event are going towards a fund to create a special memorial window for Peter Cushing at St. Alphege Church in Whitstable.

The exhibition, tentatively titled "The Man Behind The Screen", will run for all of August and September of 2004. There is a possible start date in late July. The plan is for set pieces focusing on Peter Cushing's many interests outside of showbiz.

A Cushing walk, covering all Peter Cushing's favourite Whitstable places is being planned by the Whitstable Museum staff and Joyce Broughton - with a small booklet for the "walkees" to follow around town. (They already have a very popular walk commemorating deep sea diving in Whitstable).

There will possibly be a lecture at the theatre, given by a speaker nominated by the British Film Institute, with accompanying films and slides.

That grand old institution - tea and cakes - will take place on set days at St. Alphege Church to raise funds for the window.

Possibly an old fashioned film convention with a dealer room for those of us who remember them.

A very special book, made up of autographed photos of Peter Cushing's friends and colleagues, each with a personal reminiscence of him. The completed volume will be assigned in a silent auction which will be on-going during the festival. It is hoped that one of Sir's friends will open the bids and name the successful recipient.

Possibly an update on Peter Cushing's caricatures - with up to date photos of the people alongside the sketches Sir did of them. A memory from each person about meeting him would be a nice accompaniment.

A newspaper campaign to have some part of the new building development along the sea front named for Whitstable's best loved citizen. This has already been started.

One of England's famous "blue plaques" at 3 Sea View (with the current owner's co-operation) to mark the home Peter Cushing loved so well and so long. The Canterbury City Council have been approached about this and seem interested.

A reception at the beginning of the tribute event - in the Whitstable Museum's garden, weather permitting - of as many of Peter Cushing's friends and colleagues who can come...probably a ticketed event due to numbers being important on health and safety grounds.

"Making Monsters" events for children at the Whitstable Museum - arts and crafts.

The overall aim of this tribute event is to celebrate Peter Cushing's life in a meaningful way for those who loved him and knew him, through the spectrum, to those who merely see the exhibition posted and think it will be a good way to pass the afternoon whilst in the town of Whitstable. Any other suggestions will be gratefully received.

The Heritage Foundation tribute to Peter Cushing will be held during last weekend of September or the first weekend of October. As soon as the exact date is announced it will be posted here.

David Greenham of the Heritage Foundation of England has just informed me that their tribute to Peter Cushing will be taking place in Whitstable, England this Fall, 2004. More details will be posted as they become available. To check out the Heritage Foundation, visit their website at: http://www.theheritagefoundation.info/index.htm

The Horror Channel, the world’s first English language television channel dedicated to the dark side of cinema, launches as a free-to-view Sky channel on May 3^rd.

The Horror Channel’s programming is going to be diverse, unusual and very exciting.

Managing Director Tony Hazell explains: “American horror films will dominate the Horror Channel’s schedule but our approach is to show as many rare and unusual titles as possible, rather than attempting to compete with premiere channels by showing modern blockbusters. These will range from Karloff and Lugosi classics in earlier slots to full-on splatter movies after midnight. We want The Horror Channel to appeal to as many horror fans as possible, so we’re trying to balance out classic and modern titles fairly evenly.” Amongst the gems lined up so far are Dementia 13, Night of the Living Dead, White Zombie, Bloody Birthday, The Incredible Melting Man, Blood Tracks, Evil Ed, The Stepfather, The Devil Bat, The Dark Dealer, Nightmares and Rattlers.

“At the heart of The Horror Channel’s programming will be our own horror heritage,” says Hazell. “The British horror film is almost as old as cinema itself, and our schedule will feature an eclectic mixture of British cinema’s blood-drenched output, from the black and white classic The Ghoul, through Hammer Horror masterpieces Frankenstein & The Monster From Hell and Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter to underrated obscurities such as Assault, Revenge, Goodbye Gemini and Expose. Fans of classy British horror double act Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee (and who isn’t?) will not be disappointed as we showcase their finest work, together and individually, in Nothing But The Night, Dr Terror’s House of Horrors. City of the Dead, The Uncanny and The Funnyman.” And in August, Cushing devotees can look forward to a special season of the actor’s films on the tenth anniversary of his death.

According to Mr Hazell, Euro-horror fans should be happy too – there’ll be plenty of Bava, Fulci and Argento to keep them happy, as well as some truly obscure titles and these films will be broadcast in the Horror Around The World slot in the early hours.

The Horror Channel is also working with cult video label Salvation to produce a weekly midnight slot featuring the pick of their uniquely provocative crop.

Some films will be preceded by brief introductions giving background information and trivia. And The Horror Channel will be holding an open audition to find a presenter to become the ‘face’ of the channel in the coming weeks.

The Horror Channel welcomes your feedback, and their website www.thehorrorchannel.tv gives fans a direct point of contact.

From "Ain't it Cool News" - here is a leaked image of actor Christopher Eccleston (from 28 Days Later) posing in makeup as Grand Moff Tarkin from Star Wars episode 3. Next to Eccleston is Peter Cushing as Grand Moff Tarkin from the original Star Wars. Click on the image to view at full size.

GOLD COAST, Australia (Hollywood Reporter) - Legendary horror production house Hammer Films is set to shoot its first film in almost 30 years under a joint venture with one of Australia`s most prolific filmmaking outfits.

Under the deal, announced at the Australian International Movie Convention, six low-budget films are due to be made over five years, each targeting younger audiences and "designed to have strong potential in other media, especially DVD", said Hammer and Queensland-based Pictures in Paradise (PIP).

"A lot of people have tried to talk with Hammer about remakes, but I`m interested in working with them to create horror films in the `new gothic` style, and that`s what they`ve found interesting; that`s their roots, their trademark. We`re not talking about making slasher films," said PIP principal Chris Brown, an expatriate British producer.

Hammer chief executive Terry Illott said: "This deal gives us a terrific opportunity to deliver highly commercial, low-budget, English-language horror movies for a worldwide teen audience."

Development costs will be shared, with PIP taking primary responsibility for production, while Hammer will oversee financing and distribution. The majority of the films are expected to be produced in Australia.

While there are a few in-house projects under consideration, Brown said the search is on for other suitable titles to make up the slate. "Our doors are now open (to scripts)," he said.

Hammer`s return to production -- its last film was the 1974 horror kung fu release "The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires" -- is part of a plan by Illott and partner Peter Naish to rebuild the entity as a production, distribution and finance label for genre horror movies.

Hammer was bought from previous owner Roy Skeggs at the beginning of 2000 by a team of investors that includes advertising guru Charles Saatchi, British Film Commission chairman Larry Chrisfield and former Warner Music UK chairman Rob Dickens.

PIP, founded in 1999, has so far made two horror films: "Cubbyhouse" and, most recently, the New Zealand offering "The Locals", which is due to be released later this year. It has also produced two comedies -- "Blurred", released late last year, and "Under the Radar", which comes out next year.

A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO OWN A RARE CD RECORDING OF THE LATE PETER CUSHING, RECITING A POEM FOR PEACE WITH FULL BACKING MUSIC.

PRICE U.S.A. $10 INCLUDES POSTAGE AND PACKAGING - ACCEPT PAYPAL, DOLLARS BY POST.

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PHOTOS FROM WHITSTABLE OF "NO WHITE PEAKS" AUTHOR PETER KAYNE AT THE CUSHING CORNER OF THE WHITSTABLE MUSEUM, AT 'CUSHING'S VIEW,' AND AT THE WHITSTABLE IMPROVEMENT TRUST WITH ERIC OATES (AUTHOR OF 'SALTY TALES OF WHITSTABUBBLE', AND TONY HARGREAVES OF THE WHITSTABLE TRUST.

A Toy Company is creating figures of Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee from their Hammer Films. To read more about this, go to: www.action-figure.com and click on the
button near the top of the page for coverage from the UK toy fair. There you will see the link for Hammer Horror.

For those of you in England, you may want to pick up the Autumn 2002 edition of "The Kentish Times Magazine." The issue is dedicated to Halloween or spooky related stories. The editor, Melody Ryall (who at one time was a reporter and interviewed Peter Cushing twice), has written a very nice giant two page article (called "Remembering Peter Cushing: The Original Scary Monster") with some pictures of Peter Cushing. The October Hammer event is mentioned, and also the planned 2004 Whitstable tribute event is mentioned along with the Peter Cushing Association. And you cannot miss the cover - a GIANT picture of Peter Cushing from "Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed."

Hot off the presses!

Ever feel like life is passing you by and no matter what you do, you can't get ahead? You feel like you're running in place? You're not alone. And some people have it worse than you, like the man in my new short story "Running." He's running, and he has no idea why.

To find out more, check out my latest short story "Running" at http://www.peridotbooks.com in Volume 16 of the ezine PERIDOT BOOKS.

And if that's not enough, my lurid tale of grotesque nightlife, "A Fly On The Wall of Hell," is now available at HORRORFIND.COM at http://www.horrorfind.com.

Happy reading! (Preferably after dark!)

---Michael Arruda

He will also be taking part in a Horror Panel at the Pollard Memorial Library in Lowell, Massachusetts, on Thursday, September 19, 2002, from 7:00PM to 8:30PM, along with fellow authors Rick Hautala, Kevin Johnson, Jon Merz, and Holly Newstein. They will be talking about their writing, breaking into the field, and getting published. They will will also answer questions from the audience. Plus they will be signing copies of their books.

Lastly, Michael recently came across extra copies of the anthology THE DARKEST THIRST which contains his first published short story, the vampire tale "Reconciliation." If you or anyone you know would like a signed copy, just let Michael know. They sell for $15.95. You can contact Michael Arruda at: Mmarruda@aol.com

Writer James Murray is planning on novelizing the remaining films not covered by the hammer horror omnibus, ie, Frankenstein Created Woman, Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed, Evil Of Frankenstein, and Frankenstein And The Monster From Hell. If anyone has access to copies of these scripts please contact James at:

Peter Cushing is on the cover of the latest issue (#49)
of "Sherlock" magazine (Formerly Sherlock Holmes: the Detective
Magazine). The cover ties into an article by Tony Earnshaw on the BBC
archives of the 1968 Cushing Holmes series. There is also a brief
review of the BBC Hound DVD. The mags site is located at
http://www.pmh.uk.com/sherlock/sherlock.htm but it hasn't been
updated in nearly a year, so no current issue cover image.

As you may well know there is some uncertainty about what is going to
happen to the free service at Yahoo Groups, and whatever happens will
effect us all.

Just to ward off any nasty surprises I have created a new group with
MSN and I would urge everyone to join this group. MSN Communities
work very much like Yahoo Groups - they are free to join, anyone can
post, there is file space etc. The URL of the new group is:
http://communities.msn.co.uk/PeterCushing/homepage.msnw

For the moment this group will continue but please be aware that it
may not be for long, so I wouldn't add any new files or photos.
Please do join the new group.

Michael Arruda's new horror short story, "The Loogaroo" is now available for your reading pleasure at the website http://www.horrorfind.com. You can read the story by clicking on the link and searching either the story's title or Michael's name. Please check it out and give your own rating.

Hammer fans will fall out of their chairs when they hear about the extra at the screening: a ten minute reel of outtakes and slate trims from The Revenge of Frankenstein. These were negative trims that turned up in a can and held few surprises but were fascinating just the same. Half of the clips had been 'lacquered' and thus retained about 95% of their original lustre, according to the lab expert who attended. Besides watching Peter Cushing, Francis Matthews, Eunace Gayson and Michael Gwynne hover in extended stage waits, there was a new character, a thin little clapper boy in his school tie, dressed just about identically to Wallace of Wallace and Gromit fame, dutifully snapping off the Bray studio slates. A monkey wrangler was also briefly visible trying to get the caged chimpanzee to hit his proper cues. Hammer fans of course would die to see this stuff; Cushing in one take enters, says a few words, then turns around and says another line before putting his coat back on and exiting, proving that economy on a Hammer set was such that getting the entrance and exit in one go was considered a way of saving on film stock. Somebody said Terence Fisher broke the frame line once or twice in a blur - they recognized the glasses on his nose - but it was so fast Savant didn't catch it. A published Hammer expert and film documentarian was in attendance, and lip-synched a few dialog lines into the silent screening for us!

DVD resource http://www.dvdresource.com is where this report came from. Click on "DVD Savant" once you get to that site. They screened them in California.

Peter Cushing's handprints, which were collected and written about by PCA member Chris Hassell, are going to be donated to the Theatre Royal in England. I was recently informed by Chris that due to on-going structural repairs, the ceremony for the handprints will now be put back until Peter's next birthday - May 26th, 2001. Any further information will be posted here.

WRITTEN AND PERSONALLY SIGNED BY PETER KAYNE©

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