Wednesday, 6 January 2010
Waiting for the snow I dipped into my Peter Cushing companion for the third time. Perversely I decided to read the foreword by Veronica Carlson, a fellow actor and friend. I have already expressed delight at the large number of photographs of Mr Cushing that are to be found in this volume, some of which are published below. However I was more than a little disappointed to note that the most impressive sideburns were reserved for his performances as Dr Frankenstein. Nevertheless it is a lovely present from my companion and Miss Carlson’s foreword contains some very moving tales. (transcribed below)
“The filming of one scene in particular is extremely difficult for me to recount. Daphne asks a question to which Doctor Lawrence replies ‘my wife is dead…’ The tone of utter finality in his voice was absolute. At this point Doctor Lawrence picked up a photograph of his late wife – in actual fact Peter had insisted on using a picture of Helen. This scene was shot about seven times, and each time Peter uttered that awful sentence he became more broken. Finally tears streaking down his face, he swiftly walked off the set. Freddie Francis simply turned and looked at the floor amid the horrible silence.”
