Peter Cushing: An Autobiography and Past Forgetting [Paperback]

Peter Cushing (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 6, 1999

Midnight Marquee Press is pleased to bring to U.S. readers the story of a gentle man who became one of the indisputable Kings of HorrorPeter Cushing. Mr. Cushing discusses his childhood, his early acting career in films and on stage, his BBC television work and his renowned years at Hammerall with literary wit and charm. While Mr. Cushing's humor will tickle readers' funny bones, the everlasting love story between Mr. Cushing and his dear wife Helen will touch their hearts.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Peter Cushing is perhaps one of the most beloved of film stars. His work as Frankenstein the Hammer series has made him a film legend but it is also for his kindness and wit for which he will be remembered.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Midnight Marquee PR (August 6, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1887664262
• ISBN-13: 978-1887664264
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #799,646 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Peter Cushing....A Love Story, February 2, 2001

By 

Kimi "AKATune" (Wyalusing) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Peter Cushing: An Autobiography and Past Forgetting (Paperback)

Peter Cushing was fiercely devoted to his wife, Helen and this autobiography certainly drives that point home. The death of his wife in the early 1970's left Cushing in a deep state of mourning that he never really recovered from, in his own words, he spent the remaining years of his life after Helen's death, awaiting his own death. Cushing regales us with stories of his early years, his years in Hollywood, his eventual return to England and his association with Hammer and Amicus, but throughout the entire book, we never lose sight of the fact that Cushing was deeply in love with his wife. One seldom hears/reads of such devotion to one's spouse, but always the gentleman, Cushing gives us all a glimpse into what his world was really like and although it would have been nice to hear more tales of his Hammer/Amicus days, the fact that he opened his heart and bared his soul unashamedly is enough to make this book a must for any Cushing fan.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too Much Helen, Too Little Hammer, April 21, 2000

By 

Douglas Keith McEwan (Reseda, California United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Peter Cushing: An Autobiography and Past Forgetting (Paperback)

Peter Cushing's two-volume autobiography, now conveniently combined into one volume, is indispensible reading to any Hammer fan like myself, who grew up looking forward to each new Cushing shocker. It is the essential companion volume to Christopher Lee's autobiography "Tall, Dark & Gruesome". Mr. Cushing's considerable personal charm and famous gentlemanliness shines from these pages. For my own taste, I could have used less on his great romance with Helen and more day-to-day off screen at Hammer & Amicus, but other readers, especially women, will react differently. Cushing was nothing if not madly in love with his wife, and her early death left a void nothing ever filled, though Cushing lived on past her for over 20 years. The photos have been well & generously selected, and overall, the book is a pleasureable read about one of the nicest men ever to make a career scaring the pants off us. Those who know Peter only as Grand Moff Tarkin in "Star Wars" will find a wealth of career that led to that pinnicle, and even his die-hard Hammer Frankenstein & Van Helsing fans may not know he worked with Laurel & Hardy, Cary Grant and James Whale! It makes you feel like you're sitting in a lovely seaside cottage, sipping tea and nibbling cakes while Peter regales you with tales from a life you may end up wishing you had led.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great fun from one of the masters of horror...., July 29, 2001

By 

Nathan D. Watson "Nathan" (San Jose, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Peter Cushing: An Autobiography and Past Forgetting (Paperback)

It seems an amazing fact that the majority of actors who have tied their stars to horror have had personalities that couldn't be farther apart than the characters they played. Certainly, Peter Cushing may be the classic example of this. He often played unethical murderous characters in horror films and appeared as the hero in countless others, but he was one of the most soft-spoken gentleman one could ever meet. This book includes both of Cushing's books - written in the late 80s. His Autobiography and the follow up "Past Forgetting." The first is excellent, recounting his life and career from its early days to the present and includes many thoughtful anecdotes and his great love for his wife Helen shines through. The second part - Past Forgetting - is for fans only. It's not badly written or boring but contains little of substance and is not easily recalled. A disappointment after the first book, but then again - when you already told your life story, what are you supposed to do? Tell it again. Still, this is highly recommended for all fans of Cushing and Hammer films.