From the great monsters of the Universal soundstage to the atmospheric, psychological thrillers, Dark Nights is a tour through the 20th Century’s darkest, most terrifying screen images—movies that will live forever in the collective unconscious. These are the originals that have inspired countless others. Plus, in a very special appearance, renowned musician Günter Buchwald will accompany the silent expressionist horror film, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Rounding out the program is the 40th Anniversary presentation of Roman Polanski’s masterpiece Rosemary’s Baby.
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films
 | Dir. Edgar G. Ulmer, 1934, 65 min.
Featuring gorgeous Art Deco set-direction, Universal’s first on-screen pairing of Karloff and Lugosi is a diabolical tale of revenge and obsession with necrophiliac overtones. more |
 | Dir. Robert Wise, 1945, 77 min.
Director Robert Wise’s second film is a cinematic shocker—sardonic resurrection man John Gray surreptitiously unearths cadavers for Dr. MacFarlane’s medical college. more |
 | Dir. James Whale, 1935, 75 min.
“The Monster demands a mate!” And audiences demanded a sequel despite the original film’s conclusive finale. Director James Whale responded with his masterpiece, a campy-creepy ode to sex and death. more |
 | Music of Remembrance presents
Silent Horror, Chilling Music with Günter BuchwaldDir. Robert Weine, 1920, 75 min.
Germany's Günter Buchwald, composer, conductor, and leader of a renaissance in silent movie music will talk about German silent film history. Buchwald will improvise on piano and violin for the screening... more |
 | Dir. Jacques Tourneur, 1942, 73 min.
A shadowy, sexy noir-horror, in which newlywed Simone Simon fears turning into a panther if she consummates her marriage. more |
 | Dir. Tod Browning, 1931, 75 min.
No actor, before or since, has become more identified with a role than Lugosi is with the Transylvanian Count. more |
 | Dir. Lambert Hillyer, 1936, 70 min.
The little known, but only true sequel to Lugosi’s Dracula begins right where the original leaves off: two police men happen upon Van Helsing and a recently staked count. more |
 | Dir. James Whale, 1931, 71 min.
Employing a gothic-expressionistic style, director James Whale crafted a monumental classic that continues to thrill and terrify audiences. more |
 | Dir. Tod Browning, 1932, 64 min.
Trapeze-artist Cleopatra becomes engaged to rich midget Hans, planning to murder him for his fortune, but her revulsion for the other sideshow performers soon provokes a terrifying revenge. more |
 | Dir. Jacques Tourneur, 1943, 69 min.
A hushed, eerily atmospheric chiller inspired by Jane Eyre. Frances Dee stars as a nurse sent to the voodoo shrouded Caribbean to care for a plantation owner‘s cursed wife. more |
 | Dir. James Whale, 1933, 71 min.
Claude Raines in his first major role stars as Jack Griffin, who wanders into an English pub swaddled in bandages, eyes hidden behind dark glasses, and possessing a dark secret no one can see. more |
 | Dir. Roman Polanski, 1968, 136 min.
40th Anniversary Engagement. more |
 | Dir. George Waggner, 1941, 70 min.
Prodigal son Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney, Jr.) returns home to Wales, where he falls in love with the beautiful Gwen. But after a fateful night at a gypsy carnival, Larry becomes the victim of a terrible curse. more |