When the going gets rough, it’s helpful to have a friend at your side to weather the storm with you. In David Prowse’s case, his friend was none other than director Terry Fisher.

Fisher cast Prowse in his horror film, Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (1974). Prowse, who played the titular monster in the film, had a less-than-ideal time working on set. Dressed in a heavy costume with equally substantial special effects makeup, Prowse frequently found himself overheating under the bright studio lights during filming. He explained that in the face of such trials, Fisher attempted to limit the makeup applied to Prowse, according to Hammer Films: An Exhaustive Filmography, by Tom Johnson and Deborah Del Vecchio.

Prowse, who would later play Darth Vader in the original Star Wars series, adored Fisher as a director. “Terry was a wonderful person to work with - sort of the doyen of the horror film,” said the actor. “He was really a wonderful guy and gave me a lot of help and direction - unlike many who give you nothing at all except to have you just get on with it.”

In fact, Prowse considered his work on the film a highlight of his career. “This film probably gave me more satisfaction than any other I’ve done - including Star Wars,” said the actor. “For example, Peter [Cushing] and I did a stunt; when we were finished, everyone on the set just stood up and applauded. It was the first time I’d ever seen anything like that! It was just great!”