Thursday 10 November:
Calstock Film – Horror short film programme with live music (UC)
A selection of silent short horror films from the dawn of the 20th century, featuring brand new scores especially commissioned by the Abertoir Horror Festival, composed and
performed by pianist Paul Shallcross and featuring introductions for each film. 65mins.
La Legende du Fantome (1908) (Segundo de Chomón, France 9 mins, Pathe)
A journey into the underworld – a psychedelic cacophony of arresting visuals, human lizards,
grim reapers, demons and ghosts, all joined together by a demon’s chariot (a poorly disguised car) and a narrative that would baffle Einstein. A memorable and barking mad experience!
Frankenstein (1910) (J. Searle Dawley, USA 13 mins, Edison Company)
Filmed by the Edison Company in 1910, this was the very first example of Mary Shelley’s classic novel ever to be put on film. It features a terrifying creation scene that still astounds today, even though the distributors claimed they were toning down the “repulsive situations” of Shelley’s novel. A fascinating landmark in film history.
Le Spectre Rouge (1907) (Segundo de Chomón, France 9mins, Pathe)
A demonic magician performs a magic show in the depths of Hell itself, however his mistreatment of his female assistants incurs the wrath of a good spirit who starts to interfere. Some ground breaking special effects are on display here (including miniature women
in glass bottles) in this early example of a “trick” film which even predicts the invention
of the TV!
The Jest (1921) (Fred Paul, UK 15mins)
A fantastic British film from the “Grand Guignol” series.
After his wife leaves him, an old man suffers for forty years longing for her to return, until one day his fellow lodgers decide to play a vicious prank. By far the most modern of these films, it offers a narrative that could compete with the very best of today’s stories.
Calstock Film operates under the C-Fylm licence, so you will need to become a member on your first visit, if you haven’t already signed up elsewhere.
Existing C Fylm members: £4.00
New C Fylm members: £5.00 first visit, £4.00 subsequent visits.
Membership cards available on the door or can be reserved at film@calstockarts.org.
Doors 7.00pm for 7.30pm. Refreshments available.