Peter Cushing was, and still is, one of the most revered actors in the horror genre. He helped make the Hammer films of the 50's, 60's and 70's classic pieces of horror cinema for decades to come.
I remember seeing Cushing in Star Wars as a young kid, but it wasn't until years later that I began to see the depth and talent that Cushing held within himself. I beleive it was Legend Of The Seven Golden Vampires that I first saw Cushing and recognized him. I had just seen Taste The Blood Of Dracula and discovered Christopher Lee. I now had encountered his arch nemesis Peter Cushing (Van Helsing). Even though Lee was not in this film, I had now began trek that would lead me down the road of Vampires and Mad Doctors.
Peter Cushing was born in Surry England, in 1913. For many years Cushing acted in plays and small T.V. and movie roles. It wasn't until 1956, when Hammer films of England asked Cushing to play the role of Dr. Frankenstein in the now classic Curse Of Frankenstein. This was the beginning of a long acting career with Christopher Lee (the creature), that would become the bread and butter of Hammer films.
Cushing starred in over fifty films for Hammer. Many coming in both the horror and fantasy genres. Cushing and Lee were paired in 22 films together. He also played Sherlock Holmes in The Hound Of The Baskervilles and the popular BBC television series. He also starred in two movie versions of the popular Dr. Who series, as the good doctor. In 1977, he portrayed the ruthless and maniacal Grand Moff Tarkin, in George Lucas' sci fi classic Star Wars.
Peter Cushing will always be remembered by horror fans as one of the genres best actors. To his friends he will be remembered as a dear friend and companion. Cushing past away in 1994.
In 1958, Cushing played again opposite Lee in Horror Of Dracula as Van Helsing, the arch nemesis of Count Dracula. Cushing's nerves of steel and highly intelligent portrayal of the famous vampire slayer of Bram Stoker's novel, would appear in five more Dracula films for Hammer. But it was also his role as the cold blooded Dr. Frankenstein that also gave Cushing high honors in the horror society. Cushing played a more devious doctor than many where used to seeing. His portrayal of Dr. Frankenstein was that of a coldblooded, calculating and somewhat insane scientist that knew he could create a life that could be controlled and raised like a child until it matured into manhood, or womanhood since he did accomplish it in 1967's Frankenstein Created Woman.
The Prisoner In The Iron Mask(1939)
A Chump at Oxford(1939)
Vigil In The Night(1940)
Laddie(1940)
They Dare Not Love(1941)
Women In War(1942)
It Might Be You(1947)
Hamlet(1947)
Moulin Rouge(1953)
The Black Knight(1954)
The End Of The Affair(1954)
Magic Fire(1956)
Time Without Pity(1956)
Alexander The Great(1956)
Violent Playground(1957)
The Abominable Snowman(1957)
Curse Of Frankenstein(1957)
Dracula(1958)
Revenge Of Frankenstein(1958)
Suspect(1959)
The Hound Of The Baskervilles(1959)
John Paul Jones(1959)
The Mummy(1959)
Cone Of Silence(1960)
Brides Of Dracula(1960)
The Hellfire Club(1961)
Fury At Smugglers Bay(1961)
Sword Of Sherwood Forest(1961)
The Flesh And The Fiends(1961)
The Naked Edge(1961)
Captain Glegg(1962)
Cash On Demand(1963)
The Man Who Finally Died(1963)
Evil Of Frankenstein(1964)
The Devil's Agent(1964)
The Gorgon(1964)
Dr. Terror's House Of Horrors(1965)
She(1965)
Dr. Who And The Daleks(1965)
Island Of Terror(1966)
Daleks Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.(1966)
The Skull(1966)
Frankenstein Created Woman(1967)
The Blood Beast Terror(1967)
Some May Live(1967)
Night Of The Big Heat(1967)
Torture Garden(1967)
Corruption(1968)
Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed(1969)
Scream And Scream Again(1969)
The House That Dripped Blood(1970)
The Vampire Lovers(1970)
One More Time(1970)
I, Monster(1970)
Incense For The Damned(1972)
Dracula A.D. 1972(1972)
Dr. Phibes Rises Again(1972)
Nothing But The Night(1972)
Tales From The Crypt(1972)
The Creeping Flesh(1972)
Asylum(1972)
Fear In The Night(1973)
The Satanic Rites Of Dracula(1974)
Frankenstein And The Monster From Hell(1974)
From Beyond The Grave(1974)
The Beast Must Die(1974)
Horror Express(1974)
The Legend Of The Seven Golden Vampires(1974)
And Now The Screaming Starts(1974)
Madhouse(1974)
The Ghoul(1975)
Legend Of The Werewolf(1975)
La Grande Trouille(1975)
Call Him Mr. Shatter(1975)
Battle Flag(1976)
The Devil's Man aka Land Of The Minotaur(1976)
At The Earth's Core(1976)
The Great Houdinis(1976)
Shock Waves(1977)
The Uncanny(1977)
Star Wars(1977)
Hitler's Son(1978)
Touch Of The Sun(1979)
Arabian Adventure(1979)
The Coming(1980)
A Tale Of Two Cities(1980)
The Silent Scream(1980)
Black Jack(1980)
Monster Island(1981)
Sword Of The Valiant(1982)
House Of Long Shadows(1983)
Sherlock Holmes And The Mask Of Death(1984)
Hellen Keller: The Miracle Continues(1984)
Top Secret!(1984)
Biggles: Adventures In Time(1986)