Sarah Autry
Staff Writer
The Magic Lantern Film Society hosted a Halloween double feature movie night at 6:30 on Oct. 25. The organization presented the classic films “Frankenstein” and “King-Kong” in the CETES building.
The free event was open to the public. Snacks were also provided. The organization served Halloween cookies, suckers, coffee and popcorn.
Amanda Bell, Magic Lantern Film Society’s Vice President and senior English major, said the Halloween feature draws in the most people. About 40 people came to watch the films.
Audience members included children, senior citizens, middle-aged couples and college students.
“I enjoy watching old movies that I’ve never heard of and learning the interesting facts that Dr. Morris and Dr. Newell introduce the films with,” Bell said.
“Also, it’s a just a really fun way to spend a Friday night.”
Before each film, Morris and Newell provided a brief synopsis of the movie, extra information about the film and the actors and some context for the time period that the movie was released.
“We had to start a little earlier tonight because we are showing two films,” Newell said. “We usually only show one film, and we start much later.”
The first feature was “Frankenstein,” a movie about a mad scientist who quarantines himself and his assistant in a lab far from town where he conducts experiments on a human body.
The body – composed of parts from other human bodies – is brought back to life after a violent storm. The scientist uses electricity from lightning to revive the heart, ultimately bringing his creation to life.
The humor in the movie comes from the mad scientist’s attempts at destroying the monster he created, but Dr. Frankenstein cannot seem to defeat his monster.
“Frankenstein” was released in late 1931 and directed by James Whale. The black and white film has been recreated several times since then, inspiring several shows and spin-off movies.
The second feature was “King-Kong,” starring Fay Wray and Bruce Cabot. The 1933 film was one of the first films to use stop-motion animation created by special effects professional Willis H. O’Brien.
The technology was described as “stunning” by movie critics and viewers.
The Magic Lantern Film Society shows an old movie once a month. The organization continues to play these movies and provides snacks to audience members through its donations.
“We’ll probably get new t-shirts,” Bell said of the night’s donations.
The next film being presented will be “On the Beach,” on Nov 15.
The movie is about a group of Americans who survive an atomic war that wipes out all of humanity in the northern hemisphere.
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