Horror classics to bring spooky thrills to silent film series
Get your horror thrills this Halloween season with a series of classic silent films, hosted by the Silent Film Society of Chicago. All the screenings will feature live organ scores performed by the popular accompanist Jay Warren.
On Friday, Oct. 18, see Max Schreck as Count Orlok in the 1922 classic "Nosferatu" at 6:15 p.m. at Lisle Public Library, 777 Front St. The film was directed by German director F.W. Murnau. Admission is free. Register at lislelibrary.org.
On Saturday, Oct. 19, enjoy "Trick & Treat Silent Film Fun" with shorts by Felix the Cat, Laurel & Hardy and Buster Keaton from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Mokena Public Library, 11327 119th St. Admission is free.
On Sunday, Oct. 20, the "Terror of the Paris Opera House" returns with the 1925 classic "The Phantom of the Opera" starring Lon Chaney and Mary Philbin at 4 p.m. at Gorton Community Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest. Ticket are $10 at gortoncenter.org. It is part of a "Ghoulish Feature Fest," also featuring "Hocus Pocus" at 1 p.m.
On Tuesday, Oct. 22, a screening of the 1920 German silent film "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" will feature an introduction by film historian and Turner Classic Movies personality Annette Bochenek. The evening begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St. (Route 64) in St. Charles.
It will feature a live photoplay accompaniment by Jay Warren on the Arcada's original 1926 Geneva-Marr & Colton pipe organ. Admission is $10. For tickets, visit www.arcadalive.com/event/dr-caligari-cabinet/.
On Wednesday, Oct. 23, "America's Sweetheart!" Mary Pickford stars in the 1921 film "The Love Light" at 7 p.m. in the Crimi Auditorium at Aurora University, 407 S. Calumet Ave., Aurora. It was directed by one of the renowned female screenwriters Frances Marion. Admission is free. The live organ score will be performed by Jay Warren on the grand Letourneau pipe organ.
On Thursday, Oct. 24, see "The Man of a Thousand Faces!" Lon Chaney in the 1925 "The Phantom of the Opera" at 6:30 p.m. at Wheaton Public Library, 225 N. Cross St. The film also stars Mary Philbin and Norman Kerry and is directed by Rupert Julian. Sign up at www.wheatonlibrary.org.
On Friday, Oct. 25, the original Dracula will be coming to the Catlow Theatre, 116 W. Main St. in Barrington. The 1922 film "Nosferatu" will be shown at 8 p.m. The film, directed by F.W. Murnau, stars Max Schreck, Greta Schroeder and Gustav von Wagenheim. Doors open at 7 p.m. The evening also will feature vendors, free posters, charity auction, and more. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 cash at the door. Visit www.thecatlow.com.
On Saturday, Oct. 26, get embroiled in "Murder, Mayhem and Mystery" with the 1927 black comedy "The Cat and the Canary" at 7:30 p.m. at the Rockefeller Memorial Chapel at University of Chicago, 5850 S. Woodlawn Ave., Chicago. The film, directed by German Expressionist filmmaker Paul Leni, stars Laura LaPlante, Creighton Hale, Tully Marshall and Marta Mattox. It will feature a live photoplay accompaniment by Jay Warren on the 8,565-pipe E.M. Skinner organ. There is a $10 general admission or $1 for students with college ID at the door.
On Sunday, Oct. 27, see Lon Chaney in the 1925 "The Phantom of the Opera" at 2 p.m. at Fremont Public Library, 1170 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. Register at fremont.libnet.info/events.
On Thursday, Oct. 31, the Silent Film Society of Chicago's horror series will wrap up with a screening of the 1922 film "Nosferatu" at 7 p.m. at Dundee Library, 555 Barrington Ave., East Dundee. Register at www.frvpld.info/silent-film-theater-nosferatu.