Tag: boris karloff

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The Walking Dead at the Allenby Cinema

Eric Veillette

With Halloween but a day away, here’s a photo of the Allenby Theatre’s lobby in 1936, showing Boris Karloff in The Walking Dead, with Gorilla Man, Snooper Service and Night Watchman as b-pictures. The gimmick on the poster (“Blow on this spot — If it turns GREEN, you are too weak to…”) is typical of that era, and was probably tongue-in-cheekly enforced by a tuxedo-wearing cinema manager. By the time The Walking Dead reached the east-end cinema in July of 1936, it had already played several Toronto theatres, including the Aster, the Kenwood and the Madison (now the Bloor), where … Continue reading The Walking Dead at the Allenby Cinema

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Classics From The Vault presents Scarface (1932)

Eric Veillette

On Thursday, July 29, 7PM, my new screening series at the Fox Theatre continues with one of my favourite films from Hollywood’s Pre-Code era, Howard Hawks’ Scarface (1932). Considered one of the greatest early gangster films, Paul Muni’s performance in Scarface ranks alongside James Cagney in The Public Enemy and Edward G. Robinson in Little Caesar, and would influence the genre for generations to come, from The Godfather to The Sopranos. Scarface chronicles Tony Camonte’s rise through the grisly, realistic underworld of the ’30s sound film, when the riccochet of bullets, wiseguy banter and tough-talkin’ dames could finally be heard. … Continue reading Classics From The Vault presents Scarface (1932)

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Creepy Classics presents Frankenstein!

Eric Veillette

Creepy Classics Returns on March 25, 7pm! The Revue’s examination of early sound horror films continues with Boris Karloff’s defining performance in James Whale’s Frankenstein! In 1931, two indisputable horror classics were released. While Tod Browning’s Dracula (shown here in November) may have thrilled audiences, it was James Whale’s Frankenstein that truly frightened them. The film even began with a disclaimer spoken by one of its stars, Edward Van Sloan. It’s a stark, gothic affair, drawing parallels to the German expressionist films of the previous decade.  Boris Karloff, gaunt, ghostly and cadaverous thanks to Jack Pierce’s masterful makeup, played the … Continue reading Creepy Classics presents Frankenstein!

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Creepy Classics presents The Bride of Frankenstein

Eric Veillette

The Bride of Frankenstein (1935) Directed by James Whale Written by William Hurlbut from Mary Shelley’s novel Starring Boris Karloff, Elsa Lanchester, Colin Clive, Ernest Thesiger PG | 35mm | 75min. Autumn signals the arrival of chilly weather, falling leaves, early sunsets and the best holiday of them all: Halloween. Deep in its secret laboratory underneath the streets of Roncesvalles Ave., The Revue has concocted a lineup of spine-tingling films to celebrate the Halloween season. On October 29, Creepy Classics, which launched last year at Cine-Cycle, moves to its new home at the Revue Cinema. By celebrating the spirit of showmanship, admission grants you access to much more than a … Continue reading Creepy Classics presents The Bride of Frankenstein