Third Annual Spooktacular Hits NH with ‘Brides of Dracula’
by Marc Patterson
You know, I’d really be a douchebag if I didn’t post news for The Colonial Theatre’s third annual Spooktacular. After all, this event is going down in my own backyard. I can personally tell you this is going to be a night of immense fun for the entire family. And I really mean that. It’s so rare to get a really good Halloween event that adults and kids can both truly enjoy together without those awkward and embarrassing moments that inevitably come at so many adult Halloween parties. This event is one of those rarities.
One thing I love about the events Mark Nelson of Saturday Fright Special holds is that he is an ardant fan of film, so the events he holds aren’t just fun shindigs. Usually he manages to dig up rare, or even freshly printed 35mm films to show. This event will be no exception as he’s procured a very rare 35mm printing for Hammer Film’s Brides of Dracula.
Since I can’t put it any better than he did I’ll give it to you straight from the press release:
Ferocious female vampire feast upon Keene, NH at The Colonial Theatre’s SPOOKTACULAR, Saturday, October 24, 2009. Curated by Saturday Fright Special, New Hampshire’s first home-grown horror host show, the cornerstone of the event is a rare 35mm screening of the 1960 Hammer horror classic Brides of Dracula, starring Peter Cushing. The SPOOKTACULAR will also feature additional Hammer and other vintage monster movie trailers and other fearsome film goodies too frightful to mention, horror DVD and T-shirt giveaways as well as an original Brides of Dracula sketch from renowned artist S.R. Bissette, as well as signed copies of the Bissette-illustrated The Vermont Monster Guide and The Vermont Ghost Guide, and a signed Monsters & Girls comic from Vermont artist Denis St. John. The costumed cast from Saturday Fright Special will be on hand to introduce the film and live “vampire brides” will hand out free vampire fangs to the first 50 patrons.
“After the smashing success of our screening of King Kong Vs. Godzilla in April, we wanted to offer monster movie fans another opportunity to see a great vintage horror movie with a bit of old-time showmanship,’ says Mark Nelson, Saturday Fright Special curator for the event, “We saw folks from 7 to 70 having a blast watching the old trailers and enjoying the rare opportunity to see a quirky film from long ago on the big screen. People came from all over New England to attend the last Spooktacular, and we’re hoping that the event continues to grow into a regional destination for both film fans and folks who like a fun night out at the movies.”
Audience members are encouraged to come in costume to help add to the pre-Halloween atmosphere, and a prize will be awarded for the audience favorite for best costume.
Tickets are on sale now ($10 general admission). For more information, or to purchase, call The Colonial Theatre Box Office at 603/352-2033, toll free at 800/595-4849 or visit TheColonial.org.
About Brides of Dracula:
A disciple of Dracula unleashes a plague of vampirism upon a small village, turning the students at a school for girls into a den of vampire vixens. Peter Cushing stars as Professor Van Helsing, who arrives on the scene to once again do battle with his ferocious fanged foes. Brides of Dracula was the second film in Hammer’s long-running Dracula series, combining the elegance of European cinema with the thrills of the classic Universal monsters, with lavish sets and costumes presented in glorious color. Despite the lack of Christopher Lee in the iconic title role, it is considered by many to be the best of Hammer’s vampire films.
About Saturday Fright Special:
Saturday Fright Special is New Hampshire’s first home-grown horror-host television program, featuring the best (and worst) public domain horror films from the 1950s to the 1970s. Hosted by Scarewolf, a well dressed werewolf with a good sense of rhythm, Saturday Fright Special evokes the spirit of drive ins and independent TV stations of days gone by, with vintage commercials, snack bar ads, and comedy bits sprinkled throughout the shows two hour running time. Additional characters lend a hand in presenting the films, including Santoro The Honduran Grappler (a masked wrestler who fights for strong moral character and good nutritional values), Tae Kwon Dunk (a mischievious basketball-headed martial artist), and Morbia Poppatoppolis (a demented domestic diva). Saturday Fright Special airs weekly on public access stations in over 20 states coast to coast.
About The Colonial Theatre:
The Colonial Theatre is a non-profit performing arts center serving the greater Monadnock region in fulfilling its vision to be the model regional performing arts center, exciting, educating and challenging audiences of all ages. In its 16th year as a non-profit organization, The Colonial Theatre presents world class live performances, acclaimed film selections, and hosts numerous community events for the benefit of local non-profit organizations. For more information, please visit The Colonial Theatre.
