PICTURE OF THE DAY:  DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE (1968)

 

 

Here’s a behind-the-scenes shot from DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE (1968), the third film in the Hammer DRACULA series, at least if you count the ones starring Christopher Lee.  [Lee skipped THE BRIDES OF DRACULA (1960)].

 

In the picture that’s Peter Cushing, Veronica Carlson, Christopher Lee, and Barbara Ewing.

 

Wait a minute.  Peter Cushing didn’t star in DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE.  What’s he doing there?  Just stopping by for a visit?  Well, yes, but he also had a reason.

 

This is a photo from when Cushing visited the set of DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE to help celebrate Hammer Films receiving the Queen’s Award for Industry in 1968.  It sure would be nice if some video existed of this event.  Anyone out there seen such footage?

 

I wonder what Cushing is reading here?  The award, perhaps?  It looks like a paperback novel!

 

And that looks like an envelope and a tube on the table in front of him, perhaps the containers of the award itself

 

DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE has always been one of my favorite Christopher Lee Dracula movies.  It’s probably my second favorite behind the first one, HORROR OF DRACULA (1958).

 

That being said, this photo made me wish Cushing had been in the film as Van Helsing, as it would have made the movie that much better.

 

This image comes courtesy of   http://norberthellacopter.tumblr.com/post/63904710599/chilitemple-peter-cushing-joins-christopher.

 

Enjoy!

 

—Michael