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Peter Cushing
Near Misses
Occasionally, and in the world of movies, frequently, projects get started
which never quite get finished. Sometimes production is well under way
when the plug is pulled, sometimes only a vague story idea and an announcement
to the press are all that's been accomplished. Once in a very great while,
an entire production is completed, but simply never released, for whatever
reason. Welcome to the exciting world of near misses.
There are also a great many instances, again particularly in the world
of movies and television, where a certain artist is scheduled to work on
a production, but is later replaced and the project is finished without
him. In such cases of finished productions, I have, as usual, provided
a link to the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) for more information.
In the case of Peter Cushing, these unfulfilled projects range through
the entire spectrum of his professional career: movies, television, stage
work, record albums and even model building. It makes for fascinating speculation,
and more information regarding any unfinished projects is greatly appreciated.
Tom
Brown's School Days (1940)
An unidentified newspaper reported Cushing as "being tested" for a
part in this film, ultimately released without him.
The Damascus Blade
(ca. 1948)
A play starring Laurence Olivier and John Mills. Cushing fell ill during
rehearsals and was unable to appear in the production.
The
Man Who Could Cheat Death (1959)
Another Hammer gothic s.f./horror yarn, originally intended for Cushing,
but instead released with Anton Diffring in the starring role.
"...Particularly reticent in terms of horror...perhaps because Peter
Cushing, originally set to star, was not available." – Bill Warren
Keep
Watching the Skies
The Maniac (1961)
An unproduced film from Hammer Studios, but not to be confused with
the completely different film of the same name produced by them two years
later (or with any other film with this common title, for that matter).
A gothic horror with Cushing cast in a presumably starring role.
Im
Namen des Teufels / The Devil's Agent (July 7, 1961)
A feature-length film with supporting parts for both Cushing and Christopher
Lee that was shot, released, and...well, kind of appeared without Cushing.
Every frame of film he was in ended up on the cutting room floor, depriving
the world of yet another Cushing-Lee teaming (but giving us a great trivia
question for those who thought they knew all the Cushing-Lee films).
Lust
For a Vampire (1970)
Another Hammer picture. Cushing was cast as the male lead, but had
to bow out to care for his gravely ill wife. Ralph Bates took over the
part.
"...One of the worst films ever made." – Ralph Bates, reluctant
star
Dead...? (1971)
An unproduced film (though this time not for Hammer). The size of Cushing's
intended role is unknown.
The Vampire Virgins
(1971)
An unproduced Hammer horror, a sequel of sorts to the loosely-connected
The
Vampire Lovers (see filmography 1969-1971)
and Twins of Evil (see filmography
1972), as well as the non-Cushing Lust for a Vampire (see above).
Rather than portraying yet another vampire slayer, Cushing was to have
been cast against type this time as the the villainous vampire Count Karnstein
(a minor or offstage character in the earlier pictures). The increasing
lack of success of the earlier films in the semi-series killed the chances
for this one.
Blood
From the Mummy's Tomb (1972)
Yet another Hammer horror, this originally featured Cushing, but the
actor tragically left the production after just one day's shooting because
of the death of his wife.
Hellrake (1972)
Another unproduced film. The size of Cushing's intended role is unknown.
Victim of His Imagination / A
Nightmare of Dracula (ca. 1972)
An unproduced film. Despite the alluring alternate title, this was
not intended to have been a continuation of Hammer's now-dwindling Dracula
series, but a highly fictionalized account of the life of Dracula's creator,
Bram Stoker. Stock footage from the Hammer Dracula pictures was planned
to be used. A preliminary poster of the film can be found in the history
of Hammer book The House of Horror. The size of Cushing's intended
role is unknown. Special thanks to author Jonathon Sothcott for clarifying
the details of this one.
Waiting Revenge (1972)
An unproduced remake, or perhaps sequel, to Captain Clegg (see
filmography).
It appears that Cushing had as much input in the writing of this scenario
as he had in the 1962 version.
The Savage Jackboot
(1973)
Another unmade Hammer picture, this time set in the final days of World
War II. Cushing was to have portrayed a sadistic Nazi. Hammer's financial
troubles at this time led to the production's demise.
The
Wicker Man (1973)
The acclaimed film from writer Anthony Shaffer co-starring Christopher
Lee. Evidently, Lee sought to have Cushing play the protagonist role, which
eventually went to Edward Woodward. (Thanks again to Jonathon Sothcott
for the info)
The Vampires' Temple (ca.
1974)
A miniature set, of all things, built by toy soldier and miniature
enthusiast extraordinaire, Peter Cushing, following the design of the vampire
temple set from his film Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires (see
filmography).
This was to be displayed in a proposed "Hammer Museum," named for the famed
movie studio, by now very much in its waning years. The Museum never saw
the light of day, so it's unknown as to whether this piece ever got a public
showing. Other proposed model sets for other Hammer films were not finished
when the project fell through.
"...The 'Vampires' Temple' took five weeks to complete – with much
burning of midnight oil....I make everything myself except the figures,
which are especially constructed from sketches I submit to a firm who specializes
in such things." – Peter Cushing
(title unknown) (ca.
1974)
An LP, from Hammer, telling the story of Frankenstein, narrated by
Cushing. Recorded but never released following their unsuccesful entry
into the record biz, The Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires LP
(see audio appearances).
The Satanists (1975)
An unproduced Tyburn film (a studio very briefly attempting to cash
in on the now tapped-out Hammer vein), intended to star Cushing. Their
previous box-office failures killed the studio, and with it, this project.
Vampirella (1975)
Hammer's final unproduced Peter Cushing film. Based on the truly idiotic
comic book character popular in the early 1970s, Vampirella was
to have featured as characters Abraham Van Helsing's modern-day descendants
(as in Dracula A.D. 1972 and The
Satanic Rites of Dracula), though Cushing was to have played a
completely different supporting part (for some reason). The project was
predictably killed due to the severe financial straits Hammer had been
suffering through for some years. It's probably just as well (though another
company acquired the rights many years later and was successful in finally
getting the character to the screen).
"The fact that Vampirella didn't get made is still my greatest disappointment."
– Michael Carreras, Hammer Studios President
Warlords
of Atlantis (1978)
A film set to have a guest appearance from Cushing, who bowed out because
of scheduling conficts with another film he was shooting, Hitler's
Son (which, due to its elusive nature, is virtually a Near Miss
itself).
Thanks to Jonathan Sothcott for directing my attention to this one.
The Coming (ca. 1978)
Another unproduced film (or perhaps television production). The size
of Cushing's intended role is unknown.
The Black Cat (1980)
An uproduced film based on the Edgar Allan Poe story. The size of Cushing's
intended part is unknown.
Scarlett (1983)
An unproduced film. Cushing was, presumably, to have had only a small
part, as his character appears on only eight pages of the screenplay.
Where the Sun Never Sets
(1983)
An unproduced film, with Cushing to have presumably appeared in a supporting
role.
Final Curtain (ca.
1980s)
An unproduced film. The size of Cushing's intended role is unknown.
The Mask of the Demons
(ca. 1980s)
An unproduced sequel to Land of the
Minotaur. The size of Cushing's intended role is unknown.
Wolfes (ca. 1980s)
An unproduced film. The size of Cushing's intended role is unknown.
The Abbot's Cry (ca.
1985)
An unproduced Sherlock Holmes TV movie starring Cushing, to be made
as a follow-up to The Masks of Death (see television
section). Dwindling energy after a succesful bout with cancer forced Cushing
to bow out of the project.
"...I think I would [have] let everyone down, including myself."
–
Peter Cushing
The Avalon Awakening
(1985)
An unproduced film. The size of Cushing's intended role is unknown.
Knights
of God (1987)
A television serial originally intended to feature Cushing, but ultimately
made without him.
A Drop In the Ocean
(1987)
An unproduced pilot to an unproduced TV series. The size of Cushing's
intended role is unknown.
Shadows (1989)
Another unproduced pilot to an unproduced TV series. The size of Cushing's
intended role is unknown.
A Heritage of Horror (ca.
1992)
An unproduced TV-movie to star Cushing as an elderly actor (by this
time, not much of a stretch) attempting to revive King Lear against
the advice of those around him. It is not known how far from actuality
the project was upon Cushing's death in 1994.
"...It's a wonderful fantasy...very funny and a little bit scary
in places....It's such an excellent script and one of the best parts to
come my way....A great personal tribute." – Peter Cushing
Sources:
HammerHorror.com
Newshound (page 1) featuring Cushing's own copies of his scripts for
sale, often complete with extensive notes, illustrations and watercolors
by the exacting actor
Peter Cushing – The Gentle Man of Horror and His 91 Films
(1992) by Deborah Del Vecchio and Tom Johnson
Hammer, House of Horror – Behind the Screams (1996) by
Howard Maxford
Keep Watching the Skies! (2 volumes, 1982, 1986) by Bill
Warren
Unfilmed
Hammer by Greg Turnbull
An Interview with Vincent
Price conducted by Lawrence French
Original text copyright 1998 by Michael Hoaglin.
Questions or comments? Email me at: mhoaglin@earthlink.net
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