We go back to early 1952 for this BBC Television adaptation of Pride and Prejudice in which Peter Cushing played Mr. Darcy – a play which would go out live in SIX episodes from 2 February 1952. In those days BBC was the ONLY channel available – and in my memory as a child, it provided very good and varied entertainment – although I do remember a performance of the opera Rigoletto which went out at what would now be called ‘peak time’ and we were less than impressed.

It is a sobering thought in these days of mega money for the stars, that in a contract signed on 13 February 1952, it is revealed that Peter was paid just 28 Guineas for playing Mr. Darcy.

Peter went on the play in quite a number of BBC plays in the early fifties with his fee being 45 or 50 Guineas for each job he did. Things changed dramatically for his income when he was first cast in the Hammer Film The Curse of Frankenstein followed very quickly by Dracula and The Hound of the Baskervilles  – and then on an on in these very successful films.

Below – a picture of Peter busying himself at home – and to the right a picture of his beloved wife, Helen.