GET SET FOR HALLOWEEN : WIN YOUR COPY OF WARNER BROS HORROR CLASSICS VOL ONE BLU RAY BOX SET

Warner Brothers HORROR CLASSICS VOL ONE is available to BUY NOW from AMAZON.COM CLICK HERE

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WIN WARNER BROTHERS HORROR CLASSICS BOX SET ON BLU RAY FOR HALLOWEEN

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 at petercushingappreciationsociety.com

or at our peter cushing apprecaition society facebook fan page or here at theblackboxclub.com.

The Warner Brother Horror Classics 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. FIRST TIME AVAILABLE ON BLU RAY IN USA. 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 RELEASED 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 RELEASED 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 RELEASED 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! 

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COUNTDOWN TO HALLOWEEN AND WIN HAMMER HORROR BOX SETS BLU RAYS DVDS AND GOODIES!

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, the website petercushingapprecaitionsociety.com  AND here at  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  

CHRISTOPHER LEE: DRACULA AND CASH

 

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HAMMER FILMS ARCHITECT ANTHONY HINDS DIES

We are very sad to hear of the passing of Anthony Hinds yesterday. A writer and producer, who was not only the backbone Hammer Films, but was the driving force behind the building of Bray Studios. How painfully ironic then, that the bulldozers start their work on the Bray Studios lot tomorrow...

FROM WINSTON SMITH TO FRANKENSTEIN: PETER CUSHING A CELEBRATION @ 100

POSTING EVERYDAY AT OUR WEBSITE AND THE UK PETER CUSHING APPRECIATION SOCIETY FACEBOOK FAN PAGE

Peter Cushing had a career that spanned over six decades and over ninety films. He is fondly remembered as "the gentleman of horror" that brought to life both the creator of evil, Baron Frankenstein, and the destroyer of evil, Professor Van Helsing. He was also perhaps the greatest Sherlock Holmes ever to grace the screen. Peter Cushing was honoured with an OBE in 1989 for his services to the film... industry. Interestingly he was also a dedicated artist, and was taught to paint under the guidance of British artist Edward Seago. Some of his works have sold for in excess of £12,000.

 

Peter Cushing trained at London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama and began his career in prewar Hollywood in The Man in the Iron Mask (US, d. James Whale, 1939) and made several films there before starting in Britain with Hamlet (1948), as a vividly exquisite Osric.

In the early 50s, he worked mainly in the theatre (he was in Laurence Olivier's 1951 St James Theatre season), had a TV triumph in Nineteen Eighty-Four (d. Rudolph Cartier, 1954), and was very moving as Deborah Kerr's cuckolded husband in The End of the Affair (d. Edward Dmytryk, 1954).

His film career took off when he played the eponymous over-reacher in Hammer's The Curse of Frankenstein (d. Terence Fisher, 1957), establishing him at once as a cult hero of the horror film aficionados, with Christopher Lee as the monster. These two names, along with director Terence Fisher, now evoke the output of this most successful British studio. As well as playing the Baron half a dozen times, he also memorably incarnated Dr Van Helsing in several reprises of the Dracula myth, including the wonderfully stylish The Brides of Dracula (d. Fisher, 1960).

His chiselled features, refined, even ascetic speech and bearing, his intense belief in the scientific mumbo-jumbo he was given to say, are now so firmly embedded in the public mind that it is an effort of will to remember that he played many other roles, including Sherlock Holmes. It is arguable, though, that his most incisive performance is as the thin-lipped bank manager under fearful strain in the excellent B thriller, Cash on Demand (d. Quentin Lawrence, 1961). 

FESTIVAL OF FANTASY SCI FI AND HORROR: HAVE YOURSELF A FANTASTIQ WEEKEND!

The Fantastiq Festival of fantasy, Sci-Fi and Horror which takes place in Derby this weekend starting Friday 9th August! With the BBC having just announced the casting of Peter Capaldi as the 12th Doctor the Fantastiq festival celebrates Peter Cushing's portrayal as 'Dr Who' in the sixties movies Dr Who and the Daleks (1965) and Daleks – Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D. (1966)! Alongside these and many more classic horror and sci-fi film screenings, there will be screening of  Peter Cushing's  'Hammer house of Horror' episode, 'The Silent Scream', 'The Beast Must Die' along with an interview with director Paul Annett and Hammer Films 58' 'Dracula' There's a great guest list also  including Dez Skinn, the legendary creator of iconic seventies monster magazines House of Hammer and Starburst.

Here is a run down of the THREE DAY event:

FANTASTIQ – THE FESTIVAL OF FANTASY, SCI-FI AND HORROR

AUGUST 9-11 2013
Friday 9th August
1pm Hammer House Of Horror Double Bill
2pm From The Vault: Heavy Metal (15)
3pm Bug (15)
4pm Orson Welles’ The War Of The Worlds
5:30pm Ghostwatch (adv 15)
6:00pm Preview – Upstream Color (15)
7:15pm Stephen Volk In Conversation
8:00pm From The Vault – Heavy Metal (15)
8:40pm Book Signing Whitstable
9:30pm Spectral Press Presents…Dracula (12A)
10:00pm House (Hausu) (15)

Saturday 10th August
10:45am From The Vault: Silver Bullet (15)
11:00am The AckerMonster Chronicles
1:00pm Dez Skinn In Conversation
1:15pm Corruption (adv 12A)
3:00pm Jason And The Argonauts (U)
3:15pm The Sorcerers (15)
4:45pm Johnny Mains On John Burke & The Sorcerers
6:00pm The Beast Must Die (15)
6:30pm Ray Harryhausen: Special Effects Titan (U)
8pm Paul Annett In Conversation
8:30pm From The Vault: Silver Bullet (15)
9:30pm Preview – Kiss Of The Damned (cert tbc)
 
Sunday 11th August
11:00am From The Vault: The Black Belly Of The Tarantula (15)
11:30am Horror Tour Of Derby with Darrell Buxton
1:30pm Dr Who And The Daleks / Daleks: Invasion Earth Double
Bill
2:00pm Filmmaker’s Forum Panel Discussion
4:00pm Zombie: The New Undead (adv 18)
5:30pm Cinema Retro Presents…Vampire Circus
6:00pm Orson Welles’ The War Of The Worlds
7:15pm Robert Young In Conversation
8pm From The Vault: The Black Belly Of The Tarantula (15)
8:45pm Closing Night Preview – John Dies At The End (15)

VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPHS, FEATURES AND MEMORABILIA: SOCIETY CELEBRATES CENTENARY YEAR

Now with over 14,000 followers. Galleries, vintage transparencies and photographs. Celebrating Peter Cushing's Centenary Year. The UK Peter Cushing Appreciation Society! A warm welcome awaits you!: https://www.facebook.com/petercushingblog.

HELP US CELEBRATE PETER CUSHING'S BIRTHDAY AND CENTENARY!

Help us CELEBRATE Peter Cushing's Birthday 

and Centenary at our facebook Fan Page

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THE UK PETER CUSHING APPRECIATION SOCIETY INVITES YOU TO CELEBRATE CENTENARY

Now celebrating Peter Cushing Centenary Year: The UK Peter Cushing Appreciation Society founded in 1956, now on Facebook Fan Pages. Updated every day with features, interviews and rare images. Our aim is to celebrate the life and career of Peter Cushing. OBE. Over 4,500 images and 200 albums we invite you to browse! Please join us! HERE

ANOTHER MILESTONE: SIX THOUSAND FOLLOWERS JOIN THE UK PETER CUSHING APPRECIATION SOCIETY FACEBOOK FAN PAGE

Great to announce that our PCASUK Fan Page has just hit another milestone with another thousand followers! Many thanks to everyone who have joined up in the last month and to everyone for your support and comments! JOIN HERE!

MELISSA STRIBLING AND PETER CUSHING: UNRESTORED FRAME FROM JAPANESE DRACULA 1958 PRINT

Unrestored frame from the 'lost' Japanese print of Hammer Films DRACULA (1958) featuring Peter Cushing as Van Helsing and Melissa Stribling as Mina. Dir: Terence Fisher. Reels 6 -9 can be seen on the DRACULA blu ray released today.

TODAY IS THE DAY: HAMMER FILMS 58' DRACULA OFFICIALLY RELEASED ON BLU RAY TODAY!

It’s a lost art, perhaps one of the lesser known signs of the true gentleman, but Peter Cushing is able to do up a double-breasted suit while holding a lit cigarette, later holding a nicotine stained figure up in emphasis. It’s a detail you’d be hard pressed to pick out in any of the more naturalistic, and arguably more realistic and relatable, horror movies of the Sixties and Seventies.

It’s easy to focus on the all-new special features, the luscious HD transfer, and of course the deleted scenes, restoring the crucial original edit of Hammer‘s definitive movie some 55 years after it was viciously attacked by the somewhat prudish censors of Fifties Britain, but the truth is that every time you watch or rewatch 1958′s Dracula (known in the US as The Horror Of Dracula), you notice something new.

Most of the something new comes from three camps, the incredible performances from Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, the decadent cinematography and set design, and the wonderfully tight and reductive screenplay that trimmed much of Bram Stoker’s gothic novel. Rather tell a cheap and short story well, than a long and expensive story badly seemed to be the philosophy, thus eliminating wolves, bats, ships, asylums, gypsies and a chase across half of Europe in favour of a carraige dash across an Austro-Hungarian border, complete with comedy, face-slapping customs official on loan from an Ealing caper.

Cushing, here at the height of his formidable powers, exudes the timeless class and steely precision that once ruled British cinema, while Lee, at the beginning of his career as a leading man looms and glowers, punching a black hole in the light and life of each scene with his flinty glare. Unable to show (or afford) the Count’s otherworldly nature in all its wall-crawling, transmogrifying majesty, Lee is instead called upon to project it through presence alone, drifting from almost elemental inscrutability as to irresistible force as he effortlessly escapes the clunky machinations of would be vampire slayer John Harker, and ensnares the women of the Holmwood house in his animalistic thrall.

Though Lee came to resist the role and fear the fluttering bat-wings of typecasting, his appearance in later efforts becoming all the more begrudging and embittered, here there’s no denying how definitive a performance it is for his career, to which the vast majority of his future roles are indebted

While Sangster‘s script treats the original novel as a children’s home toy box of scuffed characters and battered ideas (and the liberties taken are still jarring for fans of Bram Stoker’s inconsistent masterwork), Lee’s Dracula is a far more commanding and physical presence than the carrion Count Orlock, or Bela Lugosi’s sexless methuselah, and through that more true to Bram Stoker’s conservative paranoia, his fear of swathy foreigners, alien cultures and sexual predators seeking to hollow out the moral Camelot of Victorian England.

Modest ambition on a miniscule budget was clearly what Hammer did best, and using a minimum of sets, mere seconds of locations and barely double figure supporting cast allows the production team to emphasise what they do have, decking out baroque splendour for Castle Dracula and floral cosiness for the Holmwood house, and equally atmospheric streets, subterranean undertakers and a fog-caked graveyard.

The sad reality of the film’s age leaves the extras largely in the hands of fans and academics – the former camp featuring Mark Gatiss and Kim Newman – and what must be one of the last interviews from the fantastic Jimmy Sangster. What they lack in eyewitnesses, they make up for with thoroughness, with an incredible piece on Hammer’s long running battle with the British Board of Film Censors of particular interest given those recently restored deleted scenes.

Doubtless you ever really thought of Dracula as incomplete. But after watching the all new restoration – there is a slight dip in quality food the new scenes, which have been restored from a fire-damaged, water-logged Japanese print, but not to the extent you’d have though – it’s inconceivable you’d go back, the original theatrical climax seeming now strangely abrupt. The option is available though, should you wish to watch the 1958 theatrical release in its 2007 HD transfer, but to finally see Hammer’s true vision tells a more complete story about the sex and the violence that made the studio’s name, the astonishing physical effects that would need another two decades to better, and the terrible lover who would not die.

More than just an aspic preservation or white glove restoration of one of the most important genre films ever as some sort of museum piece, this is a celebration, that brings Dracula to life over and over again, and without upsetting Christopher Lee in the process…

LINK:CREDIT LINK

IT'S ALMOST HERE: HAMMER FILMS / LIONSGATE BLU RAY RELEASE OF 'DRACULA' 1958.

JOHN VAN EYSSEN: DRACULA BLU RAY COUNTDOWN: THREE DAYS TO GO

COUNTDOWN: JUST FOUR DAYS TO GO : PETER CUSHING AS VAN HELSING HORROR OF DRACULA / DRACULA HAMMER FILMS BLU RAY RELEASE

HAMMER FILMS RELEASES HORROR OF DRACULA / DRACULA ON BLU RAY IN JUST FOUR DAYS TIME