Okay folks, what is your favorite film that features both Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing?
The awkwardly titled book by Mark Miller, Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing and Horror Cinema: A Filmography of their 22 Collaborations lists 22 films, as the title implies, to choose from. Not always on screen at the same time, but all do have both stars in them. As a reminder, the list is below and uses the titles and dates as quoted in Miller
There are several ways to answer that question.
The Cushing/Lee films I re-watch the most often are CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN and (HORROR OF) DRACULA.
The one that has the most enjoyable repartee between the two actors is HORROR EXPRESS.
The film that has the best joint performances (highlighting a complex relationship between the screen characters) is CREEPING FLESH.
The all-round creepiest pairing of the two has to be in THE SKULL.
However, for reasons I myself can't really say. . . if I had to pick one. . . I'd choose I, MONSTER as the most fun.
::asthanos::
(Edited by Alfonso at 2:25 am on Nov. 11, 2000)
I have to say that my favorite Cushing/Lee film is HORROR OF DRACULA. I have many girlhood memories of watching the late late show and waiting with butterflies in my stomach for the great man to appear. After all, Lee was my youthful perception of the most handsome man in the world. All of his many performances were treasures to be found in the weekly TV guide. The boys in my classes at school could not compare. He was tall, powerful, and mysterious. While waiting for his much anticipated appearance, I would enjoy watching Cushing as he attempted and succeeded in saving the day. As a girl, I thought they had wonderful chemistry and believed that no other movie team could top their performances. Indeed, all these years later, I was correct. Thanks for the memories!
"House of the Long Shadows" because it cracked me up so much...those looks they all gave when they approached the camera, devilishly staring from left to right, like naughty kids. I kept expecting Christopher to suddenly stare into the camera and say "sufferin' succotash!" a la Sylvester the Cat...that's a fun, fun film.
All of Christopher and Peter's movies are gems, no matter what the script, as they themselves are so magnetic with each other. I watched "The Skull" a few days ago on videotape, and the comfortable exchange they had in the billardroom is a perfect example. They compliment each other in power and presence. "Hound of the Baskervilles", there's a fine film! Two men destined to play Sherlock Holmes, and Christopher in a very romantic role.
And then there's "Dr. Terror's House of Pancakes", ha. But that's another story.
Dear Charles,
Not to be convenient but, honestly, my favorite is "Hound of the Baskervilles." In my opinion, both Cushing and Lee captured their roles with absolute perfection. (Like you, I'm a Doyle fanatic!)
Otherwise, I've got to go with "Horror of Dracula," which was another shining moment for both of these wonderful artists.
In every film they made together, one could always sense the great love and friendship that these two men shared.
Mike
I can't believe that I started this thread and I'm still agonizing over my choices. Horror of Dracula is a showcase and milestone for both of them. Peter Cushing as Van Helsing is wonderful. Mr. Lee's Dracula is rivetting. Yet, I find that I enjoy the The Mummy more. Hound of the Baskervilles should be my choice as it's a Holmes flick, but oddly doesn't get the nod from me in this case.
So what are my choices? Okay, Horror Express lets the two interact at greater length than just about all the others. It is a fun film to watch simply becuse of their banter. So that's my favorite for interaction.
As to best film featuring the two...argh...I'm torn between The Mummy and Horror of Dracula. Bah! Enough indecision....The Mummy it is. Peter Cushing is great, particularly in his scenes with George Pastell. Mr. Lee gives one of his most compelling performances in a role that generally only allows him to act with his eyes. That alone pretty much should do it, but the film is also stunningly beautiful.
(Edited by Charles at 2:03 pm on Nov. 15, 2000)
Deffinetely The House that dripped blood, Althogh they did not have a scene together the film is excellent and without Ingrid, Peter, and Christopher Lee it would not have been so good!
I think the best films where they are together have to be most of the Dracula's because it made them cult icons of horror!!!
Thanks
Ph boy, Charles, why did you have to ask this??
Well, there are reasons I love them all, I mean from the perspective that it helped me chose my carrier - much like all the combos really - would be the Mummy or Horror Express. Yet, I love PC in Dr Terrors House of Horror, The relationship between the characters in the numerous Dracula films, and Cof Frankenstein - wonderful stuff.
I can choose a faveourite because Iin my view nearly every single film in the list has a merit which I find can be dependent upon mood and when or where you are.
Realising that I haven't seen all the films, however on some I cannot comment, but Hound of The Baskervilles is a fave, Night of the Big Heat is another - it was on only recently, and gets better every time I watch.
I hope I dont appear to have rambled on, but I hoped by talking about it, I might choose one by the end of the post, but I ahven't and I can only watch them for their own individual merit, as each one is different from the last!!
All I can say is that their turns as Anthropologists, archaeologists, Drs of Paranormal behaviour and Geographers in on case, I have come to be doing my degree!! and for that I thakn them all, and treat them all with a manner of respect - I appreciae that some are worse than others, but atm I ahven't really found that one! :>
Tough Question charles, harder than many of my essay questions, atleast with them there is some form of an answer 
Warm regards
Vicky
"I think the best films where they are together have to be most of the Dracula's because it made them cult icons of horror!!! "
Hmmm...not too sure about that statement. Christopher Lee appeared in 7 Dracula films for Hammer, Peter Cushing appeared with Mr. Lee in but 3 of them. I'd say that the 1958 Dracula/Horror of Dracula was certainly a major contributor to the "cult icons of horror" status, but by the time of the two later films Dracula A.D. 1972 and Satanic Rites of Dracula released in 1972 and 1974 respectively, they had long since been established in the "icon" roles. No, I'd have to say that the films that gave them the status were the earlier films like Dracula, Curse of Frankenstein, The Mummy and The Hound of the Baskervilles. By the mid-1960's, both were firmly established in their own rights as international film stars. The films that each made independantly of the other in that period also did much to set their stars in the ascendancy. Quite frankly, appearing in the last two Dracula films that they were in together didn't do a whole lot for either of their careers as the franchise was definitely on it's way out and suffered from some of the worst scripts ever presented to the two leads. They had come a long way since the glorious Hammer years of the late 1950's and right through the bulk of the 1960's.
(Edited by Charles at 8:44 pm on Nov. 16, 2000)
ok, its later now, and I ahve just read my post, missed a few word out I was in a hurry
I meant that I like their relationships and the characters they play to the degree that it caused me to choose my career and life really. It opened doors of knowledge and interest that I never thought I would get and that as a result, I cannot choose a favourite due to their impact on my career choice.
I know it sounds mad, and I can see why, yet, when I look back at the films I have seen with them both starring in it, then the power and interest that they generated in me at a period when I needed it is reason enough for me NOT to choose a favourite, because i cant.
Vic
OK charles maybe your right, but most stars stop their roles when they have stared in a few with the same character so I think the fact that he carried on in the later Dracula eisodes strenghtens the fact that he is a horror icon! if he only done a couple of episodes then He wouldn't go down in history as playing Dracula the most times ever, and the new generations might not see him as a horror icon! (Of course I'm only talking about Horror not Cl films in general!)
Thanks!
That question is not very difficult for me. The one and only movie is of course 'Horror of Dracula.'
A very good second is 'Dracula AD '72.' The contrast between the movies is so great. The first one a very classic adaption of the original characters, the other a very modern one.
Another favourite is 'The Gorgon.'
*sneaking in no to disturb anyone*
My absolut favorite non horror film starring Peter Cushing
(a small part) is "Star Wars" Episode 4.(1977). I saw it
back in New York in 1997 when the "Special Editions"
came out, and it was a joy to see him on the silver screen
20 years afterwords. And I thought to myself:
-There will never be actors like Christopher Lee and Peter
Cushing again. Now days it's all MONEY!!!.
My personal wiew on Holywood today is that some filmmakers
trash the legacy from directors and stars like DW Griffith
Hitchcock, Greta Garbo, FW Murnau and all the others from
the golden age of cinema. My goodness Chaplin and.. Cagney.
Orson Welles favourite actor. i don't mean that they should
make silent films, but make films as art.
Welles said:
- I want to treat the camera like the work of art that it is. Christopher Lee is a true artist. He makes films with
love and because he likes doing it. I hate making lists
of films because it's to many that I love.
/Jl
I love "The House That Dripped Blood" as it was one of the first horror films that I ever saw and it left an great impression. Even though they are not in the same scene together, both Chris Lee and Peter Cushing are brilliant (as always). My persoanl favourite "episode" has to be "The Cloak", with a wonderfully arrogant Jon Pertwee playing the reluctant vampire. Good, fun stuff.
Matt
Hello, I'm new to the club and would like to say this looks like a wonderful place to meet fellow fans! Now, on to my choices.
Probably my first choice would go to, (Horror of) Dracula, just because it was the first I can recall seeing the two star in and it's a very haunting film.
The Mummy would also be a choice, because of the beautiful colors and feeling to the film. Cushing is so very athletic in this film, as he always seems to be in any film he was paired with Christopher Lee.
A film that also seems to be much maligned, but I enjoy is, Night of the Big Heat....one of the few films starring both Cushing and Lee where one or the other doesn't survive!
'I,Monster' has a disturbing contrast between Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, when I was young I used to feel very sad for Dr Charles Marlowe/Edward Blake. 
'Dracula A.D 1972' in my opinion has the best music & the most exciting 'Christopher Lee & Peter CUshing' encounter at the end. I kept repeating the end so many times...woooowwww!!!!
'Horror of Dracula', typical Peter Cuching & Christopher LEe encounter.
'Horror Express'...The two joining forces, when Cushing and Christopher LEe unite. When this occured
my heart was calm and very satisfied. Because I wasn't going to lose any one of them at the end of the movie.
'Creeping Flesh'....very disturbing film, Cushing encounters madness for a change.
'The Gorgon' also a really good duel.
I love both Christopher LEe and Peter Cushing. Even though Peter CUshing usually kills Dracula at the end ....I can't help but love him. YEt simultaneously, feel sad because I wanted Dracula to live.
Peter CUshing has this really warm and convincing presence about him..he is gentle and very delicate..One can't help but love him.
Christopher Lee somehow makes Dracula a point of admiration...When he is a good character..U cannot but Adore him. YEt when he represents an evil character...You cannot but Love him even more!!!!!!!! I,MonsterDracula A.D 1972Horror of DraculaHorror ExpressCreeping FleshThe Gorgon
One of the things that I like about HORROR EXPRESS is the genuinely Russian feel the film has. One half expects to see Lenin as a passenger, sitting in a corner reading DAS KAPITAL! The characters are right on target. Additionally, they used the train that appeared in NICHOLAS AND ALEXANDRA -- which was yet another film CL should have been in.
(Edited by Alfonso at 11:24 pm on Jan. 31, 2001)
I love it when Peter Cushing fights in a movie and his neatly brushed back hair gets dis-ordered, it's cool!!!! & it's subtle and ever so gentle.
hmmmm Alfonso, I never knew that about the Horror Express train. As for the Russian feeling, It is a new insight presented to me. I have never taken the movie in that perspective.
In Horror Express, I like the priest at the end, (he is erm..scary!!!) When I first saw a glimpse of him in the movie, I felt that he would later on be the most evil of them all (dunno why), he has very gothic features.I do wonder about whether he has made any other films???
I was also wondering about the bold man in Horror Express, with the red uniform who gets on the train at the end, he is a really good actor, has he made any other movies with CL?? DUnno why, I get the impression that I've seen him before (in some movies).
(Edited by Dali at 12:21 am on Feb. 1, 2001)
wow , that's a hard choice to make!
Favourite?? mmmm......
i guess i'll choose the first one in wich i saw both of them together for the first time."HORROR OF DRACULA".
That was the one that also introduced me to both Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, and the impression it had on me , was a lasting one. In fact it guided me right through my adolescence to manhood, and i am today as much the fan that i became at that time, if not more...
Christopher Lee is in my mind the "definitive" Count Dracula, and Peter Cushing the definitive Van Helsing.
I also adored "THE MUMMY" this film like many other early Hammer, looks so magnificient, and of course our favourite duo work wonders.
One that i always felt is a great showcase of that special "Chemistry"that emanates from mr. Lee and mr. Cushing whenever they are paired together,is HORROR EXPRESS.
It is a joy to watch them interact all through this film, just the right dose of everything, and such a unique sense of humour.
i have to conclude in saying that i am too much of a fan to be really objective, but what can i say, i love everything they did ........
Sylvain