Strand to Present Phantom of the Opera and Scary Cinema

Marietta, GA (October 9, 2009) — Be afraid! Be very afraid. The Strand will present 14 chillers, thrillers, zombie movies, ghost stories, and a few family-friendly but spooky movies this October during "Halloweekendz," including Phantom of the Opera, the first full-length silent film to ever be featured at The Strand, and Creature of the Black Lagoon in 3D! Additionally, The Strand’s normal "Brew With A View" will be converted to "Boo" With a View on Oct. 31.

With live organ accompaniment, the original 1925 Phantom of the Opera is about a much feared fiend who haunts the Paris Opera House, coaching an understudy to take the spotlight after driving away the lead actress.

"My job as the accompanist is to heighten the emotional involvement of the audience by providing the appropriate musical background to the scenes of the film," said Ron Carter who will be accompanying the movie.

The first silent film to show at the newly renovated The Strand was the 1919 short film Bill Blazes, a 13-minute feature during the Grand Opening last January. It was one of the most exciting and talked about parts of the show, as many patrons had never seen a silent film with organ accompaniment before.

"The silent film era was the golden age of film music," said Ron Carter. "It was presented live and did not have to compete with dialog. It was foreground music, not background music."

The Halloweekendz movie schedule also includes Creature from the Black Lagoon (G), 28 Days Later (R), The Omen (R), Mystery Science Theatre 3000 (PG-13), Young Frankenstein (PG), An American Werewolf in London (R), The Thing (R), The Fly (R), Army of Darkness (R), The Birds (PG-13), King Kong vs. Godzilla (Unrated), Casper (PG), Psycho (R). Movie tickets to all 14 movies range from $6 to $8. A $25 "Shock Pass" is available and gets its owner into all 14 flicks.

Thurs., Oct. 22, 7 PM. Creature from the Black Lagoon in 3D (G). In this 1954 black & white classic horror film, a scientific expedition searching for fossils along the Amazon River discover a prehistoric Gill-Man in the legendary Black Lagoon. The explorers capture the mysterious creature, but it breaks free. The Gill-Man returns to kidnap the lovely Kay, fiancée of one of the expedition, with whom it has fallen in love.

Thurs., Oct. 22, 10 PM. 28 Days Later (R). Animal rights activists free a group of infected chimpanzees to horrifying results in this speculative sci-fi horror film. Waking from a coma in a deserted London hospital 28 days after the event, a bicycle courier takes to the deserted city streets in a state of mystified confusion, soon learning the truth behind the menacing creatures that lurk in the shadows.

Fri., Oct. 23, 7 PM. The Omen (R). The Thorn family has everything they could ever want. Except children. In this 1976 flick, a priest sends a healthy baby whose mother has passed away in childbirth home with the couple who experience strange events with the new arrival. Coincidences? Or evil incarnate?

Fri., Oct. 23, 10 PM. Mystery Science Theatre 3000 (PG-13). Mad scientist Dr. Clayton Forrester has created an evil scheme that is bound to give him world global domination. He plans to torment Mike Nelson and the robots by forcing them to watch a movie that they cannot control when the horror movie begins or ends. It's up to one test subject's quick wit, sharp sense of humor, and utter intolerance for cinematic garbage to foil the plans of the scientist and to save the Earth.

Sat., Oct. 24, 12 Noon. Young Frankenstein (PG). In this 1974 flick, the grandson of Victor Frankenstein is a teaching surgeon who has spent his life living down his grandfather’s legacy He takes a leave of absence to investigate the family castle and becomes increasingly interested in what he finds. The film is shot in Black and white to simulate the old monster movie feeling.

Sat., Oct. 24, 7 PM. An American Werewolf in London (R). Re-discover one of the most gripping horror films of all-time with this cult classic - two American tourists find their lives changed forever when a vicious wolf attacks them during a full moon in London.

Sat., Oct. 24, 10 PM. The Thing (R). In this 1982 chiller by John Carpenter, a helicopter mysteriously chasing a dog crashes outside an arctic scientific expedition base - and all passengers are dead. The seemingly harmless pup is adopted but soon mutates and becomes deadly. Scientists conclude a shape-shifting alien is on the loose in the coldest place on the planet. And man is the warmest place to hide.

Sun., Oct. 25, 3 PM. Phantom of the Opera Silent Film w/Organ Accompaniment by Ron Carter. The Strand will be featuring the original 1925 Phantom of the Opera, a silent black and white film with organ accompaniment. A much feared fiend haunts the Paris Opera House, coaching an understudy to take the spotlight after driving away the lead actress.

Thurs., Oct. 29, 7 PM. The Fly (R). Seth Brundle, a brilliant but eccentric scientist attempts to woo an investigative journalist by offering her a scoop on his latest research in the field of matter transportation, which against all the expectations of the scientific establishment have proved successful. But when he attempts to teleport himself, a fly enters one of the transmission booths and Brundle is a changed man. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Thurs., Oct. 29, 10 PM. Army of Darkness (R). Trapped in time. Surrounded by evil. Low on gas. A twentieth century man (a very unlikely hero) is accidentally transported to 1300 A.D., where he must battle an army of the dead and retrieve the Necronomicon so he can return home. You’ll get the chance to scream "THIS IS MY BOOMSTICK" during this 1992 comedic fantasy film once again this October!

Fri., Oct. 30, 7 PM. The Birds (PG-13). In this 1963 movie, an innocuous romantic triangle involving wealthy, spoiled Melanie Daniels, handsome Mitch Brenner, and schoolteacher Annie Hayworth begins in a San Francisco pet shop and culminates at the home of Mitch's mother where the characters' sense of security is slowly eroded by the curious behavior of the birds in the area. At first, it's no more than a sea gull swooping down and pecking at Melanie's head. But things take a truly ugly turn.

Fri., Oct. 30, 10 PM. King Kong vs. Godzilla (Unrated). The two greatest monsters of all time are pitted against each other in a spectacular final showdown on top of Mount Fuji in this 1963 classic.

Sat., Oct. 31, 12 Noon. Casper (PG). Based on the popular cartoon character, this family-oriented "ghost story" is about a not-so-scary spirit who bonds with a little girl (Christina Ricci).

Sat., Oct. 31, 7 PM. Psycho (R). Hitchcock's black-and-white 1960 original, featuring Anthony Perkins's haunting characterization of lonely motel keeper Norman Bates, has never been equaled.

Oct. 31, 6-10 PM. "Boo" With A View. The top level roof top terrace is a ghastly place to meet with friends and enjoy a spooky view of the Marietta Square. No cover. Cash and credit card accepted at bar – beer, wine & mixed drinks available.

More information is available at www.EarlSmithStrand.org or 770-293-0080, The Strand box office, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM or two hours before the show. Unless specified otherwise in the description above, tickets can be purchased at The Strand’s box office. Earl Smith Strand Theatre, 117 North Park Square, Marietta, Ga.

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