This Is Your Life: Peter Cushing

Peter CUSHING OBE (1913-1994)

THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Peter Cushing, actor, was surprised by Michael Aspel at Thames Television's Teddington Studios, having been led to believe he was there for an interview.

Peter, who was born in Kenley, Surrey, made his stage debut in 1935 and spent three years in repertory theatre before moving to Hollywood to pursue a film career. He made his film debut in the 1939 production of The Man in the Iron Mask before returning to England to join ENSA at the outbreak of the Second World War.

After the war, he became one of the most recognisable faces on television, appearing in several live televised plays, including an acclaimed leading performance in George Orwell's 1984. From the late 1950s, he gained worldwide fame in horror films produced by Hammer Studio with roles as Baron Frankenstein in six of their seven Frankenstein films and as Doctor Van Helsing in five Dracula films.

"I think it's just as well I wore my toupe!"

programme details...

Edition No: 775
Subject No: 765
Broadcast date: Wed 21 Feb 1990
Broadcast time: 7.00-7.30pm
Recorded: Wed 24 Jan 1990
Venue: Teddington Studios
Series: 30
Edition: 18
Code name: Baron

on the guest list...

Kevin Francis
Fiona Armstrong
Sir James Carreras
Tony Hinds
Ursula Andress
Caroline Munro
David Rintoul
Dave Prowse
Peter Gray
Ernie Wise
Gwen Watford
Freddie Jones
Joanna Lumley
Peter Ustinov
Christopher Lee
John Mills

production team...

Researcher: Mandy Nixon
Writer: Roy Bottomley
Directors: Brian Klein, John Birkin
Associate Producer: John Graham
Producer: Malcolm Morris

names above in bold indicate subjects of This Is Your Life

related pages...

An Actor's Life For Me

spotlight on the stars

Screenshots of Peter Cushing This Is Your Life

Christopher Gullo recalls this edition of This Is Your Life in his book, In All Sincerity, Peter Cushing...

Cushing's first television appearance in 1990 was a most unexpected one – the special guest of This Is Your Life. Secretary Joyce Broughton revealed in the 1999 re-release of Peter's two autobiographies that he did not want this honour bestowed upon him, but after speaking with his long-time friends Kevin Francis and Peter Gray, Broughton relented and went along with the surprise. Peter, however, did find out about the plan and changed his mind about not wanting to appear when he realised that all his friends would be there.

The programme of February 21st began with a video clip of host Michael Aspel emerging from a graveyard with his familiar red book before appearing in person to greet the guest of honour. Many of Cushing's co-workers also appeared in the programme, including Peter Gray, Gwen Watford, Christopher Lee (who sent a video clip as he was filming in New York), Freddie Jones, Caroline Munro, Dave Prowse, Anthony Hinds, Sir James Carreras and Peter Ustinov to name but a few. Comedian Ernie Wise was also on hand, doing another twenty-pound note routine with Cushing.

The favour would be returned when Cushing appeared on the December 26, 1990 episode of the same programme to do the routine with Ernie when he was the featured subject. Cushing seemed delighted that so many people had come to honour him and viewers also got to see some rare photos of his family and many clips from his long career. In a conversation with the author, Caroline Munro had this to say about the show:

"It was quite a strange day for me inasmuch as I had just gotten married the day before and I was still in a bit of a happy daze. A few months before I had been asked if I would like to be one of the guests on the show; I was absolutely thrilled to be a part of it. The show is a complete surprise for the guest of honour and seeing Peter's face as all his admiring friends and family came on stage was wonderful. It was obvious to everyone just how much he loved that evening. After the show we had a lovely party in the green room and we all had a chance to chat together and paw over Peter. It was a great evening."

David Miller recalls this edition of This Is Your Life in his book, The Peter Cushing Companion...

This Is Your Life featured Cushing on 21 February 1990. The guest included a statuesque Ursula Andress, who reminded him that her character was called 'She Who Must Be Obeyed'. 'Yes, darling, and you still are,' said 'Saint' Peter with a saucy grin, 'what would you like me to do?'

Also appearing were Caroline Munro, David Rintoul, David Prowse, Joanna Lumley, Freddie Jones, Kevin Francis, Gwen Watford, a hale-and-hearty Peter Gray and Peter Ustinov. John Mills and Christopher Lee sent pre-recorded announcements – Lee telling Cushing that he was 'a delight and a despair – the only actor who can read the Times, drink his whisky and soda, light his pipe and deliver his lines all at the same time'. Lee finished with the Holmesian advice – 'Step out!' Roy Ward Baker, Anthony Hinds and Sir James Carreras were also among those present.

Joyce revealed that Cushing was actually aware beforehand that he was going to be featured on the programme, and was worried that he would not appear sufficiently alarmed when Michael Aspel presented him with the famous red book. His actor's talents were undimmed, and when 'surprised' he delivered the priceless – if unlikely – line, 'It's just as well I wore my toupee, isn't it?'

Medium website - Colin J McCracken 23 August 2017

This Is Your Life

In the late 1980's, Cushing was approached to take part in the popular TV Biography programme, This Is Your Life, something which Bernard became involved with.

Peter had always said he would never do it, maintaining that he would do a "Danny Blanchflower."

Blanchflower was an English International footballer, who when Eamonn Andrews (the host of the show at the time) approached him with the red book and said "this is your life" (the 'surprise' format of the show), he walked away and wouldn't have anything to do with the whole affair.

"This was a big problem at the time," explains Bernard, "because it was live and on the air. Peter said he would do likewise. The TV people approached us, to speak with Joyce and I, and Kevin Francis, who produced most of Peter's films. Also, Peter Gray who was another actor and a great friend of Peter's (the two went through their early professional development together), was involved in those discussions."

"Peter, Kevin and I all thought it would be a good thing if he were to do the show. We had an old house in Kent, which I had converted and met with Peter there to speak about it. No one mentioned that it was for This Is Your Life; we were fishing, testing the waters as it were."

Bernard went to Cushing's house the following morning to follow up on it all. "He always liked to have an open fire going, as he lived right on the sea wall at Whitstable in Kent." He recalls, "When I went down, he said 'Bernard, they're talking about me and This Is Your Life aren't they?', to which I replied 'No, I don't know what you're talking about Sir, you're imagining it.'"

(Sir was the nickname which Joyce and Bernard used for Peter).

"He obviously wasn't very satisfied with that. When I went down the following morning to do the fire, he said 'Bernard, I want to know. Are they setting me up for This Is Your Life?'"

"So I said, 'OK, if you really want to know the answer, between us, yes.'"

"I won't do it." Said Cushing.

"I really think you'd be wrong to take that view," replied Bernard.

"Why?"

"Well, you've built up a long career, you've got a great persona. You're an English institution. You're more than just an actor and people want to share you, and if you were to walk away and do a Danny Blanchflower, it would be very bad all round. I think that people would be absolutely devastated if you did that."

It was hard to make a stance such as this, but Bernard was adamant.

"I've spoken with Kevin Francis and Peter Gray, and the three of us really think you should do it, however, Joyce does not." He told Cushing.

"You know Bernard, the biggest problem that I would have is when Eamonn Andrews puts his head round the curtain with the red book and says 'Peter Cushing, this is your life' how on earth can I look surprised?" Cushing replied.

"Because you're a supreme actor, that's why! You'll look surprised and it will work. If you don't do it, you'll regret it for the rest of your life," added Bernard. "With all that said, you think about it."

Bernard laughs at the memory of it. "When I went down to see him later in the day he said that he was going to do it," he adds. "That was the sort of relationship we had. As I said I'm a retired personnel director, and so know about business management. I could take a very objective view about such matters, and that is a good indication as to the depth of our relationship."

The episode did go ahead and was broadcast on February 21st 1990. Michael Aspel was hosting by then and the show featured a barrage of stars such as Christopher Lee, Joanna Lumley, Ursula Andress and Peter Ustinov. "He was very kind enough to take me aside after the programme and thank me for making him do it," adds Bernard.

Peter Cushing Appreciation Society blog 12 January 2020

DURING THAT RUN, Aspel surprised Peter Cushing, with his Big Red Book on 21st February 1990. Cushing's This Is Your Life episode almost didn't happen, when the secret cover of surprise was blown a few weeks before the recording. Cushing never let on he knew 'he was coming!' and Aspel did a great job steering Cushing, who at this time could be quite unpredictable during live recordings, through an army of guests who had worked with Peter over the years. One surprise guest was Ursula Andress, who had flown quite a journey to be there for Cushing's evening. When she was announced and grandly made her way onto the set to hug Peter, he welcomed her with hugs when she made a reference to the film they made together, 'She' in 1965. 'She who must be obeyed!' said Andress. Cushing suggestively replied with glee, 'Oh and you still are darling... What would you like me to DO?' which got a big laugh.

I BELIEVE IT WAS quite a task for the This Is Your Life team, after much research and study to decide on guests for the show. Guests had to be special, entertaining, engaging and guaranteed not to run away from Aspel when he shock surprised them with the book and the evening's planned recording before a live audience, of their lives shared with the public. Aspel had specially requested Peter Cushing be used in the series, several times. The start of preparation and plans were almost uncovered each time and the shows were cancelled. Eventually, Aspel got his wish and Peter Cushing had an evening he would never forget!

Series 30 subjects