Book Review: "Peter Cushing: A Life in Film" by David Miller

- by Señor Editor, 26 May 2013

Today is Peter Cushing’s 100th birthday. The late great actor, known for his roles as Hammer Film’s Doctor Frankenstein, Van Helsing, Star Wars’ Grand Moff Tarkin, Doctor Who and many more, passed away in 1994, but he left a huge legacy to celebrate.

David Miller’s “Peter Cushing: A Life in Film”, published by Titan Books takes a look at the actor’s career and life, detailing everything from his earliest struggles as a young actor, to his final movies, as well as telling the story of Cushing's personal life.

How do you review or recommend a book about a person’s life, especially somebody as accomplished and talented as Cushing? Well, perhaps a good way to go about it is to say a few things about Peter Cushing himself, and mention a few great stories about him, found within Miller’s book.

Cushing is perhaps most well known from the Hammer Films horror movies, especially the ones he starred in with his friend Christopher Lee (who most famously played Dracula to Cushing's Van Helsing and the creature to his Dr. Frankenstein). He brought stellar performances to every movie he starred in, but the horror genre is where he became a true icon.

Peter Cushing was a man with a great attention to detail, approaching every movie he starred in with complete professionalism.

During the making of 1959’s “The Mummy”, Cushing noticed that the promotional materials for the movie showed the mummy (played by Christopher Lee) with a large hole in it’s body, and beams of light shining through it. The hole in the midriff wasn’t in the movie, and was only on the poster to “help sell the movie”. Cushing just wouldn’t have that, so he asked the director to include a scene in which he’d put a harpoon through the monster’s torso, giving the posters “some sort of logic”. Never one to treat the audience like idiots, Cushing stated: The people who see horror films are very critical, and they don’t like just any old nonsense.

1956’s “The Curse of Frankenstein” was the first time Cushing and Christopher Lee met. The two went on to work on numerous movies together and became best friends. There are many great “fun behind the scenes” stories from the movies the actors worked together on, from impromptu dance numbers in full-on horror make-up and costumes, to this reccuring gag by Lee:

Searching the Bray pantry for something he could eat without ruining his make-up, Lee imitated the exasperated splutter of Sylvester the Cat – ‘Bird theed! I’ll thtarve!!’ The phrase, and Lee’s delivery of it, would never failt to reduce Cushing to helpless fits of laughter.

Yeah, these two were all jokes! Image via PeterCushing.org.uk

Action figures collectors will find a kindred soul in Cushing, as the man was well known for collection of toy soldiers. He was very often praising the hobby, and promoting it as much more than just a thing for children. He had his own theory for it:

The theory is quite simple. It is that toys are given to children when they are too young to appreciate them and that because most men "put away childish things" as they reach adulthood, they miss a great deal of happiness at a time in their lives when... they are actually in a much better position to enjoy their toys and hobbies.

Cushing was truly a very interesting personality both on and off screen. He was a true gentleman, always had praise for his co-stars, and was apparently the most charming man one could imagine.

Star Wars fans won’t find that much behind the scenes stories in “A Life in Film”, but there certainly are some interesting bits. Cushing’s feet are only seen once in “Star Wars” and every other scene showed him knees up. The reason for that was that Cushing, being six feet tall had absolutely enormous feet. So big in fact that the crew wasn't able to find "dictator-style" boots for him, which means that whenever you see Tarkin on screen he's actually wearing his "comfy plimsolls"!

Feet big enough to kick Vader's butt if he needs to.

Miller gives a really great and full portrait of Cushing in his book. From detailed descriptions of Cushing's acting techniques and his life on set on all of the major movies, to how he really was in his day to day life. The book has very sad moments, particularly the story of Cushing's great love to his wife Helen, whose death forever changed the actor. But there's also stories about overcoming great problems and those are very inspirational.

There's also loads of great things to look at. Plenty of great pictures, Cushing's notes regarding roles, photos from sets, movie posters, promotional materials and more than a Cushing fan could ask for. If you're a fan and you don't have it yet, then you should definitely buy "A Life in Film". We recommend it.

So Happy 100th Birthday, Peter Cushing! And thank you for all the work you gave us!

Are you a fan of Peter Cushing or the films he starred in? Leave your thoughts below, in the comments section!

Tagged: books, movies & TV, Reviews.

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