Selected Peter Cushing Films

Out of the three pages on this site that are devoted to Peter Cushing's work, this is the most likely to see changes as time goes by. I have not seen all of Cushing's films yet, so I may see one that I didn't realize should be listed here. I may also re-watch films in my collection and decide that they were better than I remember. So, please check back!

A Chump at Oxford (1940) Director: Alfred J. Goulding Peter Cushing played a small part in this Laurel & Hardy vehicle. More a collection of vignettes than an actual film, it details our bumbling heroes' journey to the grand institution of Oxford after Stanley regains genius-level intelligence following a bump on the head. Cushing has a small part as a prank-loving student at the university who torments Laurel & Hardy, but he really stands out from the crowd; his magnetic screen charisma shone brightly even in his earliest film roles. Cushing's talent for comedy is also evident here. This was one of several small parts he received at R.K.O, who did not give him large roles due to the fear that he would be called back to England to serve in the military during World War II. A DVD version of the film has recently become available, but I have not uet seen it, so I don't know if it's in better shape than the previous American release (Video Treasures, ASIN: 6302034035). Hopefully, the DVD version is a restored version, or at least taken from a better print. Click on the Amazon link for details on the DVD, or click here for reviews and commentary.

The Hound of the Baskervilles (1958) Director: Terence Fisher In this, the third parring of Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, Hammer works magic with one of the most-often adapted Sherlock Homes tales. The film positively oozes atmosphere--even more than any of the Dracula or Frankenstein films--and the three principles, Cushing as Holmes, Lee as Henry Baskerville, and Andre Morrel give top-notch performances. Cushing's Holmes is as arrogant and eccentric as Doyle wrote him, but unlike more well-known portrayals (such as those by Basil Rathbone and Jeremy Brett) Holmes comes across as charming and likable rather than a self-absorbed bully. Cushing later played Holmes again in a 16 part televsion series for the BBC. Sherlock Holmes also became Cushing's last major starring role, in the televion film "Masks of Death." (While Cushing's performance still displayed that old spark, his ill health was starting to take its toll on his appearance. I prefer to think of "Star Wars" as Cushing's last major film appearance.) For reviews and more commentary, click here.

Island of Terror (1966) Director: Terence Fisher One of the better "science spawns giant creatures that threaten humanity" flicks, this film also sees Peter Cushing portraying one of the most likable and energetic characters of his career. In fact, one almost hopes that he is more or less playing himself. His character is intelligent, brave, friendly, and the perfect gentleman. This is perhaps the most likable character Cushing protrayed after he started making sci-fi and horror films. In "Island of Terror," Cushing portrays Dr. Brian Stanley, a scientist called to a remote island to investigate a mysterious death. More deaths follow, and are soon linked to a state-of-the-art cancer research facility located there. It probably isn't spoiling too much of the film to say that Cushing and everyone else on the island is soon fighting for their lives against monsters spawned by an experiment gone out of control. Although not released by Hammer, it has a definate Hammer feel to it. Further, the film has some genuine chills that I feel remain unmatched to this day. For reviews and more commentary, click here.

The Gorgon (1965) Director: Terence Fisher "The Gorgon" is a curious mixture of elements, as the spirit of the sole surviving gorgon sisters of Greek legend rises again to plague a Balkan village at the dawn of the 20th century. Peter Cushing is featured prominently as the village doctor who is trying to cover up the fact that villagers are being turned to stone under every full moon for mysterious (and possibly sinister) reasons. Christopher Lee is also featured in the film, although he and Cushing have very few scenes together. "The Gorgan" contains a number of truly chilling moments, with lighting, camera work, and performances by all featured actors being of top quality. Cushing himself plays a different sort of villain... his character of Dr. Namaroff is not nuerotic and prone to long speeches like Victor Frankenstein, but is instead a rather quiet, shy, and even somewhat sad figure. However, when challenged by the film's heroes, an aura of menace manifests itself around him and he shows that he is willing to go to any length to protect what he believes is his. For reviews and more commentary, click here.

Doctor Who: Daleks Invasion Earth, 2150 (1966) Director: Gordon Flemyng This is a sequel to "Doctor Who and the Daleks," a film about a time traveler and his companions that is loosely based on the BBC TV series of the same name. Peter Cushing portrays Doctor Who in both films, but this is one rare instances where a sequel is better than the original. The story, the sets, and Cushing's performance are all superior to the first film. Unlike many of Cushing's films, both the Doctor Who pictures were made as films intended for children. The story revolves around Doctor Who's efforts to save humanity from Dalek oppression in 2150. Cushing's Doctor Who is a bit more doddering than any of the ones portrayed in the television series--but this is excusable because his character is actually an elderly human while the Doctor Who in the series is actually a space alien. However, the character is more likable than the one portrayed by many of the television actors, much like his Sherlock Holmes seemed more sympthatetic due to Cushing's natural charm. For reviews and more commentary, click here.

At the Earth's Core (1976) Director: Kevin Connor Another film intended mostly for children, this one stars Peter Cushing as a scientist who invents a giant boring machine. During a test run, he and his assistant are stranded in a strange underground land where dinosaurs roam and dangerous savages rule the jungles. The film is a loose and somewhat comic adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs' novel of the same name. There are some nice special effects in it, and the camera work is okay, but otherwise the only thing that recommends this picture is Peter Cushing's performance in it. He is once again the staid, perfectly British gentleman, but we again get to see some of his sense of humor shine through. Moreso than usual, he illuminates the scenes he steps into... but that may well be due to the fact that the actors surrounding him give such lackluster performances. For reviews and more commentary, click here.

Horror Express (1972) Director: Eugenio Martin This is perhaps one of the best films that Peter Cushing ever appeared in. Widely regarded as a horror classic, it stars Cushing and Lee as rival scientists who are trapped onboard the Trans-Siberian Express with a monster older than the human race itself. Cushing's character is a bit of a bastard, but he is likable enough that the viewer is concerned when he is endangered. Cushing is also surrounded by capable actors and supported by a great script and aided by spooky camera work and lighting, so he doesn't end up carrying the entire film by himself. The interplays between Cushing and Lee, and Cushing and Telly Savalas (who has a small part as a nasty Cossak commander) are particularly fun to watch. When I first saw this film on television in 1979 or so, I insisted on sleeping with the lights on. There are some very horrifying and disturbing scenes in this film. Like "Island of Terror," it is a work that remains unmatched in many ways. For reviews and more commentary, click here.

Dr. Terror's House of Horror (1973) Director: Freddie Francis This is perhaps the best of the Amicus anthology films that Peter Cushing had roles in. It features a framing sequence that provides the rationale for the telling of several short tales, with everything coming together in the end with a nightmarish twist. Despite the very unfortunate title, this film is very intelligently scripted, artfully shot, and all the shorts feature high quality chills. Cushing is featured as Dr. Schreck ("Isn't that German for 'horror' or 'terror'?"), a dark-clad, scruffy stranger who joins four businessmen in their compartment on an express train. The performance here is really quite unusual for Cushing as almost none of the inherent flair and grace he usually brings to his parts is evident. In fact, it took me several moments to recognize him, so subdued is his delivery and demenor. However, as he breaks out his tarot deck and starts telling the fortunes of his fellow travellers, this subdued and extremely polite manner constracts nicely with the blustering skeptic played by Christopher Lee. The twist ending is even more impactful due to the way Cushing portrays his character through out the frame. For reviews and more commentary, click here.

Tales from the Crypt (1972) Director: Freddie Francies Another entry in Amicus' series of anthology films, it sees a group of tourists becoming lost in a series of ancient underground tunnels. They eventually find their way to a cave where a mysterious hooded man reveals to them their sins and final fates. Featuring a distingushed cast, but suffering from stories that seem a bit trite today (one being an adaptation of "The Monkey's Paw), it nonetheless contains several noteworthy moments. The high points are found in the sequence featuring Peter Cushing. Not only is it one of the scariest parts, but he gives one of his most heartfelt performances. Cushing's role in this film is a sort of tribute to Helen Cushing, his wife who died shortly before filming began on "Tales." Cushing plays an elderly man who's life has lost nearly all meaning following the dead of his beloved wife. Later, when the villains of the sequence deny him of what little happiness he has left, he commits suicide. Like his performance in "Island of Terror," I think we are seeing Peter Cushing mostly playing himself here. Whether I am accurate in that acessment or not, his performance as Arthur Grimsdyke is one of the most touching of Cushing's film career. For reviews and more commentary, click here.

Star Wars (1977) Director: George Lucas If there's a single film that is likely to have been the one people have seen Peter Cushing in, it's probably "Star Wars." This 1977 movie almost singlehandedly paved the way for the modern model of intellectual property merchandizing and changed the way both creators and the public thought of science fiction films. Cushing's charm here is subverted by an icy cold demeanor. He plays Grand Moff Tarkin, one of the right-hand men of the evil leader of the Galactic Empire. This film is the first time I saw Peter Cushing on film, and, much like he did in every other work, he can't help but be the focus of every shot he is in. The way the slightly built Tarkin stood up to hulking Darth Vader particularly stirred my imagination and some of my earlierst "Star Wars" writings were actually tales of Grand Moff Tarkin plotting to overthrow the Emperor and Vader to take power for himself. (It wasn't until years later, after I started writing Star Wars material on a professional level) that I discovered that a similar plot is hinted at in the Star Wars Radio Play!) Despite being overshadowed by David Prowse's impressive Vader costume, Cushing once again gives a stellar performance. For more commentary, click here.

Search for more Peter Cushing films in Amazon.com's online classic horror shop. Click here!

For more about Star Wars, click here.

Final Thoughs on Peter Cushing's Body of Work One interesting thing that is evident when viewing a number of Cushing's films back-to-back is that the actor seemed to shine the brightest when directed either by Roy Ward Baker or Terence Fisher. Similarly, some of Terence Fisher's very best pictures featured Cushing in prominent roles, and more than once Cushing is credited with suggesting script changes or action scenes that today are hailed as classic moments in horror cinema. It is a clear illustration of the fact that certain directors can bring out the best in actors and visa versa. If you want to share your thoughts on Peter Cushing, please visit my message boards. For More Information About Peter Cushing's Life and Work, Visit these Web Sites. The Official Peter Cushing Web Page. The Peter Cushing Links Page. Books about Peter Cushing An Actor and a Rare One: Peter Cushing as Sherlock Holmes, by Tony Earnshaw. Order here. The Peter Cushing Companion, by David Miller. Order your copy here. Peter Cushing: An Autobiography and Past Forgetting, by Peter Cushing. Order the limited edition or trade paperback. *

Peter Cushing as Sherlock Holmes, with Andre Morell as Dr. Watson