MovieChat Forums > House of the Long Shadows (1984) Discussion > Cushing's Speech Impediment

Cushing's Speech Impediment

posted 17 years ago by deadgirliving
7 replies | jump to latest

Was Peter's speech impediment in the movie acting or was this a condition that he had? I'm wondering because he didn't have it in any of his previous movies and I was told by someone who wasn't 100% sure that they thought it was an effect from an actual stroke.

[–] marseilletarot 17 years ago

At the very end of the movie, when they're at the "wrap" party, you can clearly see that he had been faking because he is now speaking "normally" with Sheila Keith.

[–] deadgirliving 17 years ago

yes! you are right! thank you :)

[–] docdespicable 17 years ago

It was a dramatic choice by Cushing (who was almost neurotically attentive to such details) to make the character seem weaker or more vulnerable (depending on who was forming the opinion). This movie has some problems, but the old veterans really shine, Cushing especially!

[–] bananabry 10 years ago

That's a very posh accent.

[–] roger-604 10 years ago

He was a wascally wabbit, to be shuwuh!! ;^)

Rule #1 - Remember... it's a movie & NOT reality.
Rule #2 - If you can't remember #1... Get a life!!

[–] bananabry 9 years ago

He was a wascally wabbit, to be shuwuh!!

During his commentary on the recently released Kino-Lorber Blu-ray, David Del Valle says he thinks the impediment was a deliberate choice by Cushing. It is an inside joke with Christopher Lee: the two of them used to crack each other up on set with their cartoon character impressions. 😊

[–] Wombstar 10 years ago

He in fact had a pretty sore throat while filming so choice to speak very softly and the speech impediment was also one of the results.