Horror-Thon 2007 Film Festival comes to the historic Lafayette Theatre, October 19-20-21

posted by PeterApruzzese on October 18, 2007 at 8:00 am

SUFFERN, NY — The Horror-Thon 2007 Film Festival at the historic Lafayette Theatre presents seven chilling movie programs including several rarely shown titles from the golden age of cinema and all on the Lafayette Theatre’s giant silver screen. The festival is an annual tradition at the Lafayette and this year’s event promises to be the best one yet. Screening on October 19-20-21 will be films starring Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Vincent Price, Lon Chaney and even Abbott & Costello. All of the films are screening in the finest studio and archive 35mm prints available and most shows will feature pre-show music from the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ.

Special Added Attraction Bela Lugosi’s original Dracula cape will be on display. The Lafayette is proud to announce that prior to the showing of Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein on Sunday at 2pm, there will be a display of the Bela Lugosi’s legendary Dracula costume cape, as worn on-screen in the film. This incredible one-of-a-kind artifact comes to the Lafayette courtesy of collector Todd Feiertag. There will also be displays of rare movie posters and other movie memorabilia throughout the weekend.

Film Schedule
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19
8:00 pm PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE (1956, directed by Ed Wood) starring Bela Lugosi and Vampira presented for the first time in Color.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20
2:00 pm FRANKENSTEIN (1931, directed by James Whale) starring Boris Karloff and Colin Clive

4:15 pm MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH (1964, directed by Roger Corman) – starring Vincent Price and Hazel Court, presented in Panavision

8:00 pm THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1925, directed by Rupert Julian) – starring Lon Chaney, this silent chiller will be presented with LIVE Theatre Pipe Organ Accompaniment by Jeff Barker on the Lafayette’s Mighty Wurlitzer.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21
2:00 pm ABBOTT & COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN (1948, directed by Charles T. Barton) starring Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Bela Lugosi, Lon Chaney Jr., Glenn Strange

4:15 pm CURSE OF THE DEMON (1957, directed by Jacques Tourneur) starring Dana Andrews, presented in its original full-length British version

7:30 pm THE HAUNTING (1963, directed by Robert Wise) starring Julie Harris, Richard Johnson, Russ Tamblyn, Claire Bloom, presented in Panavision.

Tickets are $8.00 for each show. Advance tickets are now on sale at the Lafayette Theatre’s box office during theatre hours. Day-of-the-show tickets will go on sale at the box office 30 minutes before showtime.

The Lafayette Theatre – named one of USA Today’s 10 Great Places to Revel in Cinematic Grandeur – is a renovated and restored 1000-seat 1924 movie palace. Featuring a large auditorium, superb acoustics, clear sight lines, modern projection equipment, and the Ben Hall Memorial Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ, the Lafayette Theatre is the premiere venue for classic films in the tri-state area.

The Horror-Thon 2007 Festival is a production of Nelson Page and the Big Screen Classics film series; the director of Film Programming is Peter J. Apruzzese. The official website for the festival is available at: Big Screen Classics.

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Comments (4)

TheaterBuff1
TheaterBuff1 on October 19, 2007 at 1:00 am

I’d always heard that Lugosi was buried in his Dracula costume, assuming this included that famous cape he wore as well. So perhaps some clarification could be made here? Thanks!

PeterApruzzese
PeterApruzzese on October 19, 2007 at 6:15 am

According to his son, he was buried in one of the many capes he wore on stage as Dracula.

The cape we are displaying was a Universal Studios Costume Department cape that was worn by Bela in the film Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein.

TheaterBuff1
TheaterBuff1 on October 19, 2007 at 11:18 pm

Ah, thanks for explaining that! For I was going to say, is collector Todd Feiertag a grave-robber or what? So I’ll sleep easier now that I know the truth on that! (And I’m sure Lugosi’s spirit will continue to as well!)

Meantime, I don’t know how much it’s common knowledge, but I read that Vampira, during the making of Ed Wood’s PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE, would put on her make-up and costume at home, then ride the public Los Angeles bus to the studio that way!

hotwaterbottle
hotwaterbottle on October 24, 2007 at 9:43 am

-update- A big congratulations and thank you must be given to the Lafayette Theatre and it’s management & staff for another memorable Horrorthon! Seeing these classics (or “classics” in Plan 9’s case) on the giant screen was indeed a treat and something to look forward to every year. The highlight of the weekend was seeing Bela Lugosi’s Dracula cape up close and in person on display on the stage. Probably half of the 300 people who attended the show came to the front of the stage for a closer look and to take pictures. The original 3-sheet for A&C meet Frankenstein on display in the lobby was'nt bad, either! It was just great to see almost all the films draw a big and enthusiastic crowd! Keep up the good work, guys!

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