Silver Scream Spook Show: Curse of the Demon
August 22, 2008 at 2:59 pm by Curt Holman in A&EOn Sat., Aug. 23, the Silver Scream Spook Show, the Plaza Theatre’s monthly presentation of vintage horror film and burlesque entertainment, presents Curse of the Demon, a supernatural classic from 1957. Alternately known as Night of the Demon, the film features one of horror films’ most famous monster mug shots. Ironically, Curse’s now-iconic demon was almost not part of the final cut, but a late addition at the studio’s insistence that appears only at the beginning and ending of the film. Here’s a short clip:
Curse’s occult story features a scholarly skeptic (Laura’s square-jawed Dana Andrews) who exposes frauds, only to discover that a coven leader (Niall MacGinnis) may actually known how to summon dark forces. It may be the masterpiece of director Jacques Tourneur, who established himself as an expert in building mood and ratcheting up our fears of the unseen and unknown (especially in his collaborations with producer Val Lewton, including the original Cat People and I Walked With a Zombie). If the X-Files sequel and M. Night Shyamalan’s recent efforts left suspense-seekers disappointed, Curse of the Demon will show you how it’s done.
Curse of the Demon screens at 1 and 10 p.m., Aug. 23.
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