Cushing Curiosities (Blu-ray Box Set) (Severin Films) [USA]
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Disc 1: CONE OF SILENCE (1960)
In one of his rare villain roles – and hailed by the British Film Institute as one of his “10 Essential Films” – Peter Cushing stars as an arrogant pilot who attempts to undermine the investigation into the cause of an airline disaster. Oscar® winner George Sanders (PSYCHOMANIA), Oscar® nominee Michael Craig (TURKEY SHOOT), Elizabeth Seal (VAMPIRE CIRCUS), André Morell (THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES) and Bernard Lee (‘M’ in the James Bond films) co-star in “a film that still resonates today” (Shades of Gray) directed by former Hitchcock editor and Academy Award® nominee Charles Frend (THE CRUEL SEA) – released in America as TROUBLE IN THE SKY and inspired by true events – now featuring a new 2K scan from the dupe negative by the BFI and three hours of rare interviews, newsreels and more.
Special Features:
Peter Cushing delivered two of his finest non-horror performances in these early ‘60s dramas: In SUSPECT, Peter Cushing leads a team of research biologists who may be plotting to sell government secrets to a foreign power. Donald Pleasence, Ian Bannen (IDENTIKIT) and Spike Milligan co-star in this “damn good thriller” (Shameless Self Expression) produced and directed by The Boulting Brothers (BRIGHTON ROCK). THE MAN WHO FINALLY DIED sees Cushing in one of his most sinister roles as the family friend of a jazz pianist (Stanley Baker) who uncovers a post-war conspiracy of suspicious deaths, switched identities and a shocking Nazi past. Mai Zetterling (THE WITCHES), and Nigel Green (THE SKULL) co-star in this stylish suspense thriller directed by Quentin Lawrence (THE TROLLENBERG TERROR), with both films scanned in 2K from the original negatives by Studio Canal.
Special Features:
Having first portrayed the legendary detective for Hammer Films in 1959, Peter Cushing enthusiastically returned to the role of Sherlock Holmes for this 1968 BBC television series co-starring Nigel Stock (THE LOST CONTINENT) as Dr. Watson. Though most of the shows were forever lost, these six surviving episodes – including the two-part The Hound of The Baskervilles adapted by award-winning playwright Hugh Leonard – showcase Cushing at his elementary best, with guest stars that include Madge Ryan (A CLOCKWORK ORANGE), Ann Bell (THE WITCHES), Nick Tate (SPACE: 1999) and Gary Raymond (JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS). This definitive presentation of SHERLOCK HOLMES – which also includes the classic cases A Study in Scarlet, The Blue Carbuncle, The Boscombe Valley Mystery and The Sign of Four – is now scanned from BBC tape protection masters.
Special Features:
Special Features:
Never before available on disc in North America, the first and only film in which Peter Cushing portrayed a vampire is also the most unapologetically bizarre movie of his entire career: When horror’s biggest star (Cushing) announces his retirement from the genre, two dimwit screenwriters and a pair of sexy actresses are dispatched to the actor’s castle for a lavish farce d’horreur érotique of violence, whippings, orgies, tender romance and a devilishly dignified performance by Cushing, even while spanking the bare bottom of French starlet Miou-Miou. Alida Valli (SUSPIRIA, EYES WITHOUT A FACE) and Bernard Menez (DRACULA AND SON) co-star in the sole feature film directed by award-winning producer Pierre Grunstein (TESS, THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY) – also released as CONFESSIONS OF A BLOOD DRINKER and THE BIG SCARE – now restored by Pathé, scanned in 2K from the original Paris vault negative and authorized by the director.
Special Features:
In one of his rare villain roles – and hailed by the British Film Institute as one of his “10 Essential Films” – Peter Cushing stars as an arrogant pilot who attempts to undermine the investigation into the cause of an airline disaster. Oscar® winner George Sanders (PSYCHOMANIA), Oscar® nominee Michael Craig (TURKEY SHOOT), Elizabeth Seal (VAMPIRE CIRCUS), André Morell (THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES) and Bernard Lee (‘M’ in the James Bond films) co-star in “a film that still resonates today” (Shades of Gray) directed by former Hitchcock editor and Academy Award® nominee Charles Frend (THE CRUEL SEA) – released in America as TROUBLE IN THE SKY and inspired by true events – now featuring a new 2K scan from the dupe negative by the BFI and three hours of rare interviews, newsreels and more.
Special Features:
- Newsreel Of Peter Cushing And His Miniature Soldiers
- Illustrated Audio Interviews
- Peter Cushing On The Funster Show With Paul Carrington
- The Guardian Interview With Peter Cushing
- Peter Cushing Interviewed By Tony Dalton, Author Of Terence Fisher: Master Of Gothic Cinema
- Cushing's View – 1973 Interview With Peter Cushing On Whitstable And His Late Wife Helen
- Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
- Audio: English Mono
- Closed Captions
- Region Free
- Run time: 92 mins
Peter Cushing delivered two of his finest non-horror performances in these early ‘60s dramas: In SUSPECT, Peter Cushing leads a team of research biologists who may be plotting to sell government secrets to a foreign power. Donald Pleasence, Ian Bannen (IDENTIKIT) and Spike Milligan co-star in this “damn good thriller” (Shameless Self Expression) produced and directed by The Boulting Brothers (BRIGHTON ROCK). THE MAN WHO FINALLY DIED sees Cushing in one of his most sinister roles as the family friend of a jazz pianist (Stanley Baker) who uncovers a post-war conspiracy of suspicious deaths, switched identities and a shocking Nazi past. Mai Zetterling (THE WITCHES), and Nigel Green (THE SKULL) co-star in this stylish suspense thriller directed by Quentin Lawrence (THE TROLLENBERG TERROR), with both films scanned in 2K from the original negatives by Studio Canal.
Special Features:
- Audio Commentary For SUSPECT With Jonathan Rigby, Author Of English Gothic, And Horror Historian Kevin Lyons
- Audio Commentary For THE MAN WHO FINALLY DIED With Kim Newman, Author Of Anno Dracula, And Barry Forshaw, Author Of Brit Noir
- Aspect ratio: 1.66:1 (Suspect) / 2.35:1 (The Man Who Finally Died)
- Audio: English Mono
- Closed Captions
- Region A
- Run time: 81 mins (Suspect) / 100 mins (The Man Who Finally Died)
Having first portrayed the legendary detective for Hammer Films in 1959, Peter Cushing enthusiastically returned to the role of Sherlock Holmes for this 1968 BBC television series co-starring Nigel Stock (THE LOST CONTINENT) as Dr. Watson. Though most of the shows were forever lost, these six surviving episodes – including the two-part The Hound of The Baskervilles adapted by award-winning playwright Hugh Leonard – showcase Cushing at his elementary best, with guest stars that include Madge Ryan (A CLOCKWORK ORANGE), Ann Bell (THE WITCHES), Nick Tate (SPACE: 1999) and Gary Raymond (JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS). This definitive presentation of SHERLOCK HOLMES – which also includes the classic cases A Study in Scarlet, The Blue Carbuncle, The Boscombe Valley Mystery and The Sign of Four – is now scanned from BBC tape protection masters.
Special Features:
- Audio Commentaries For All Episodes Featuring Kim Newman, Author Of Anno
Dracula, Barry Forshaw, Author Of Brit Noir And David Stuart Davies, Author Of
Starring Sherlock Holmes: A Century Of The Master Detective On Screen - All Episodes Available With BBC Countdown Clock
- Illustrated Peter Cushing Audio Interview With David Stuart Davies
- Lost Segments With Optional Commentary By Jonathan Rigby, Author Of English Gothic, And Horror Historian Kevin Lyons
- Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
- Audio: English Mono
- Closed Captions
- Region A
- Run time: 308 mins
Special Features:
- Audio Commentary With Jonathan Rigby, Author Of English Gothic, And Horror Historian Kevin Lyons
- STRANGER IN THE CITY (1961) – Short Film By Robert Hartford-Davis
- Daddy's Girl – Interview With Director Robert Hartford-Davis’ Daughter, Jean Hartford-Davis
- Bite Me! – Tigon: Blood On A Budget Author John Hamilton on Robert Hartford-Davis
- The Trip – Interview With Uncredited Drug Orgy Actress Françoise Pascal
- FREEDOM SEEKER Title Sequence
- Trailer
- Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
- Audio: English Mono
- Closed Captions
- Region Free
- Run time: 83 mins
Never before available on disc in North America, the first and only film in which Peter Cushing portrayed a vampire is also the most unapologetically bizarre movie of his entire career: When horror’s biggest star (Cushing) announces his retirement from the genre, two dimwit screenwriters and a pair of sexy actresses are dispatched to the actor’s castle for a lavish farce d’horreur érotique of violence, whippings, orgies, tender romance and a devilishly dignified performance by Cushing, even while spanking the bare bottom of French starlet Miou-Miou. Alida Valli (SUSPIRIA, EYES WITHOUT A FACE) and Bernard Menez (DRACULA AND SON) co-star in the sole feature film directed by award-winning producer Pierre Grunstein (TESS, THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY) – also released as CONFESSIONS OF A BLOOD DRINKER and THE BIG SCARE – now restored by Pathé, scanned in 2K from the original Paris vault negative and authorized by the director.
Special Features:
- Audio Commentary With Jonathan Rigby, Author Of English Gothic, And Horror Historian Kevin Lyons
- Love Me Tender, Dracula – Interview With Director Pierre Grunstein
- Menez of Speaking – Interview With Actor Bernard Menez
- Trailer
- Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
- Audio: English Mono / French
- Closed Captions / English Subtitles
- Region A
- Run time: 89 mins
