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Peter Cushing An Autobiography and Past Forgetting
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.
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.
- GenresBiography
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
2 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Peter Cushing
25 books10 followersPeter Wilton Cushing, OBE was an English actor, known for his many appearances in Hammer Films, in which he played the distinguished-looking but sinister scientist Baron Frankenstein and the vampire hunter Dr. Van Helsing, amongst many other roles, often appearing opposite Christopher Lee, and occasionally Vincent Price. A familiar face on both sides of the Atlantic, his most famous roles outside of "Hammer Horror" include his many appearances as Sherlock Holmes, as Grand Moff Tarkin in Star Wars (1977) and as the mysterious Doctor in Dr. Who and the Daleks and Daleks – Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D. in 1965 and 1966, two cinema films based on the television series Doctor Who.
Cushing's first appearances in his two most famous roles were in Terence Fisher's films The Curse of Frankenstein (1957) and Dracula (1958). Cushing is closely associated with playing Baron Victor Frankenstein and Van Helsing in a long string of horror films produced by Hammer Film Productions. He later said that career decisions for him meant choosing roles where he knew the audience would accept him. "Who wants to see me as Hamlet? Very few. But millions want to see me as Frankenstein so that's the one I do."
Cushing was often cast opposite the actor Christopher Lee, who became his best friend. "People look at me as if I were some sort of monster, but I can't think why. In my macabre pictures, I have either been a monster-maker or a monster-destroyer, but never a monster. Actually, I'm a gentle fellow. Never harmed a fly. I love animals, and when I'm in the country I'm a keen bird-watcher", he said in an interview published in ABC Film Review in November 1964.
In the mid-1960s, Cushing played the Doctor in two films (Dr. Who and the Daleks and Daleks – Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D.) based on the television series Doctor Who. He decided to play the part as a lovable and avuncular figure to escape from his image as a "horror" actor. "I do get terribly tired with the neighbourhood kids telling me 'My mum says she wouldn't want to meet you in a dark alley'." he said in an interview in 1966.[this quote needs a citation] He appeared in The Avengers and its successor, The New Avengers. In 1986, he played the role of Colonel William Raymond in Biggles. In Space: 1999, he appeared as a Prospero-like character called Raan.
Cushing was one of many stars to guest on the Morecambe and Wise Show — the standing joke in his case being the idea that he was never paid for his appearance. He would appear, week after week, wearily asking hosts Eric and Ernie, "Have you got my five pounds yet?" When Cushing was the subject of This Is Your Life in 1989, one of the guests was Ernie Wise (Morecambe had died in 1984), who promptly presented him with a five pound note, but then, with typical dexterity, extorted it back from him. Cushing was absolutely delighted with this and cried "All these years and I still haven't got my fiver!"
Cushing played Sherlock Holmes many times, starting with Hammer's The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959), the first Holmes film made in colour. Cushing seemed a natural for the part and he played the part with great fidelity to the written character — that of a man who is not always easy to live with or be around — which had not been done up to that point. He followed this up with a performance in 16 episodes of the BBC series Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes (1968), of which only six episodes remain. Finally, Cushing played the detective in old age, in The Masks of Death (1984) for Channel 4.
After Star Wars, Cushing continued appearing in films and television sporadically, as his health allowed. In 1982, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, but managed to survive for the remaining 12 years up to his death without surgery, though his health was precarious.
Cushing appeared in a comedy play written by Ernie Wise in The Morecambe and Wise Show on BBC2 in 1969. Throughout the BBC era of the shows he would appear often with More
Cushing's first appearances in his two most famous roles were in Terence Fisher's films The Curse of Frankenstein (1957) and Dracula (1958). Cushing is closely associated with playing Baron Victor Frankenstein and Van Helsing in a long string of horror films produced by Hammer Film Productions. He later said that career decisions for him meant choosing roles where he knew the audience would accept him. "Who wants to see me as Hamlet? Very few. But millions want to see me as Frankenstein so that's the one I do."
Cushing was often cast opposite the actor Christopher Lee, who became his best friend. "People look at me as if I were some sort of monster, but I can't think why. In my macabre pictures, I have either been a monster-maker or a monster-destroyer, but never a monster. Actually, I'm a gentle fellow. Never harmed a fly. I love animals, and when I'm in the country I'm a keen bird-watcher", he said in an interview published in ABC Film Review in November 1964.
In the mid-1960s, Cushing played the Doctor in two films (Dr. Who and the Daleks and Daleks – Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D.) based on the television series Doctor Who. He decided to play the part as a lovable and avuncular figure to escape from his image as a "horror" actor. "I do get terribly tired with the neighbourhood kids telling me 'My mum says she wouldn't want to meet you in a dark alley'." he said in an interview in 1966.[this quote needs a citation] He appeared in The Avengers and its successor, The New Avengers. In 1986, he played the role of Colonel William Raymond in Biggles. In Space: 1999, he appeared as a Prospero-like character called Raan.
Cushing was one of many stars to guest on the Morecambe and Wise Show — the standing joke in his case being the idea that he was never paid for his appearance. He would appear, week after week, wearily asking hosts Eric and Ernie, "Have you got my five pounds yet?" When Cushing was the subject of This Is Your Life in 1989, one of the guests was Ernie Wise (Morecambe had died in 1984), who promptly presented him with a five pound note, but then, with typical dexterity, extorted it back from him. Cushing was absolutely delighted with this and cried "All these years and I still haven't got my fiver!"
Cushing played Sherlock Holmes many times, starting with Hammer's The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959), the first Holmes film made in colour. Cushing seemed a natural for the part and he played the part with great fidelity to the written character — that of a man who is not always easy to live with or be around — which had not been done up to that point. He followed this up with a performance in 16 episodes of the BBC series Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes (1968), of which only six episodes remain. Finally, Cushing played the detective in old age, in The Masks of Death (1984) for Channel 4.
After Star Wars, Cushing continued appearing in films and television sporadically, as his health allowed. In 1982, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, but managed to survive for the remaining 12 years up to his death without surgery, though his health was precarious.
Cushing appeared in a comedy play written by Ernie Wise in The Morecambe and Wise Show on BBC2 in 1969. Throughout the BBC era of the shows he would appear often with More
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 22, 2022
Available for the first time in a single volume, "An Autobiography and Past Forgetting" collects both of veteran actor Peter Cushing's autobiographies. Adored by fans and peers alike, Mr. Cushing recounts in great detail his thrilling adventures as an actor in theatre, television and film in a career spanning over half a century. Filled with heart-warming personal anecdotes and fascinating factual tales, Mr. Cushing keeps his audience enthralled for one final, show-stopping performance.
"If you could talk to any one person, living or dead, who would you choose?" A fun question to ask at parties among friends, and in response I would definitely say that Peter Cushing has always been high on my list; after reading his memoirs, he's moved up even higher. The true embodiment of the term "British gentleman", Mr. Cushing not only had an immeasurable passion for his craft but also an immense respect for his family, friends, colleagues and fans. He would always make time for anyone who wanted to speak with him (on some occasions at great length), and he lived life with an unwavering honesty and a razor sharp wit. The man was a true legend both on screen (or stage) and off, and one of his most endearing qualities was the unending love he had for his dear wife Helen.
This book was an incredible journey and I loved every moment of it (part of the reason it took me so long to read it was because I wanted to prolong the experience). As someone who wasn't a writer until penning these autobiographies, Mr. Cushing displayed a masterful knowledge of the craft, writing concisely and professionally while also coming across as conversational and deeply personal. My only critique would be that his first volume was incredibly well organized and straightforward (following the trajectory of his career chronologically), while his second volume came off as a bit more haphazard, often jumping around in time within the same passages. This did not decrease my enjoyment of the book at all, however, it just made it a little more difficult to get as clear a picture of the progression of events (this also may have only been more noticeable having read both autobiographies back to back). That being said, I still cannot recommend this book highly enough; whether you're a fan of theatre, classic films, Hammer horror, or, of course, dear "Sir" himself (a nickname lovingly bestowed upon him by his secretary and close friend of over 35 years, Joyce Broughton), "An Autobiography and Past Forgetting" is a rare treat not to be missed.
"If you could talk to any one person, living or dead, who would you choose?" A fun question to ask at parties among friends, and in response I would definitely say that Peter Cushing has always been high on my list; after reading his memoirs, he's moved up even higher. The true embodiment of the term "British gentleman", Mr. Cushing not only had an immeasurable passion for his craft but also an immense respect for his family, friends, colleagues and fans. He would always make time for anyone who wanted to speak with him (on some occasions at great length), and he lived life with an unwavering honesty and a razor sharp wit. The man was a true legend both on screen (or stage) and off, and one of his most endearing qualities was the unending love he had for his dear wife Helen.
This book was an incredible journey and I loved every moment of it (part of the reason it took me so long to read it was because I wanted to prolong the experience). As someone who wasn't a writer until penning these autobiographies, Mr. Cushing displayed a masterful knowledge of the craft, writing concisely and professionally while also coming across as conversational and deeply personal. My only critique would be that his first volume was incredibly well organized and straightforward (following the trajectory of his career chronologically), while his second volume came off as a bit more haphazard, often jumping around in time within the same passages. This did not decrease my enjoyment of the book at all, however, it just made it a little more difficult to get as clear a picture of the progression of events (this also may have only been more noticeable having read both autobiographies back to back). That being said, I still cannot recommend this book highly enough; whether you're a fan of theatre, classic films, Hammer horror, or, of course, dear "Sir" himself (a nickname lovingly bestowed upon him by his secretary and close friend of over 35 years, Joyce Broughton), "An Autobiography and Past Forgetting" is a rare treat not to be missed.
January 13, 2025
This was a gentle ramble through the great Peter Cushing's career, an actor I've always admired greatly. It was having afternoon tea a nice old uncle: not a bad word to say about anybody. Lee said that Peter Cushing, who was his great friend, never had a bad word say about anyone, an admirable quality indeed but one which makes for very poor autobiography. scant details about his film career and even Biggles, his final film, which is regarded one of worst British movies ever made, mentioned only because Mr. Cushing was a walking stick he admired the prop department. found fact that he believed his long-dead wife was always at side to be somewhat off-putting, and when he some of his friends for still addressing greeting cards to Mr. and Mrs. Peter Cushing though his wife had been dead for many years, I found it decidedly creepy. All in all, I think Cushing was just too much of a nice gentleman to write interesting autobiography.
June 14, 2025
I have been a fan of Peter Cushing since I was little. I've always been a huge fan of [old] Horror movies and love the genre. This is a very charming memoir (well, his two memoirs in one book, actually). so much I didn't know, especially about his early life and career. Like with Jon Pertwee's autobiography, this is from a time that is almost unrecognisable in the 21st century. Fascinating!
Peter Cushing did not have an easy career. Early success in Hollywood, obscurity in a war-torn UK, post war television success and, later Hammer Horror fame. However, it was all marred by the tragic death of his wife, which devastated him.
A must read for anyone who loves this genre of films.
Peter Cushing did not have an easy career. Early success in Hollywood, obscurity in a war-torn UK, post war television success and, later Hammer Horror fame. However, it was all marred by the tragic death of his wife, which devastated him.
A must read for anyone who loves this genre of films.
March 7, 2025
Reading this felt like being enveloped in a cozy blanket. The first volume focusing a lot on Cushing’s career before his years of fame and the second one giving more attention to his successful acting years, the two balanced each other out greatly. Really enjoyed the humourous way with which Mr. Cushing manages to tell his story, as well as the down-to-earth and personable view he wrote. I mean, as a giant Peter Cushing fan, how can’t I give this 5 stars?
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews