Looking for spine-tingling entertainment this coming Halloween? Enjoy silent films with live musical accompaniment? If so, then check out the special event the San Francisco Symphony has lined-up for October 31.
On Halloween night, the San Francisco Symphony will present the newly restored version of the 1920 silent film, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, starring John Barrymore. The film will be accompanied by Dennis James on the Ruffatti Organ, along with Mark Goldstein and Todd Manley on percussion.
The evening's concert screening also features the uproarious Buster Keaton short, The Haunted House (1921).
The 1920 version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is an eerie screen adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s famous and often-filmed tale of a medical doctor who experiments with scientific methods of revealing the dark side of man. In experimenting on himself, the cultivated and serious-minded Dr. Jekyll turns into a brutish, lascivious person whom he names Hyde. It’s not long before the personality of Hyde begins to dominate Jekyll's affairs.
Barrymore, one of the great stage and film actors of his generation (and the grandfather of popular contemporary actress Drew Barrymore) delivers a bravura performance as both Jekyll and Hyde. Before special effects and without much make-up, Barrymore convincingly transforms himself from the genteel Jekyll into the vile Hyde. The object of both Jekyll and Hyde’s attention is Miss Gina – an Italian singer played by the alluring Nita Naldi.
Also in the cast is the lovely and tragically-fated Martha Mansfield (1899-1923) in the uncredited role of Millicent Carew - Sir George's Daughter, Louis Wolheim in an early uncredited role of a Music Hall Proprietor, and get this classical music lovers the acclaimed 20th century composer Edgar Varèse in the uncreditted role of a policeman!
Certainly, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde marks Varèse’s cinematic debut at Davies Symphony Hall. It is also a screening not to be missed.
For more info: The 1920 version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde will be shown at Davies Symphony Hall with live musical accompaniment on October 31st at 8:00 pm. Additional details and ticket availability can be found on the San Francisco Symphony website at http://www.sfsymphony.org/season/Event.aspx?eventid=42734
Thomas Gladysz is an arts journalist and author. Recently, he wrote the introduction to the new “Louise Brooks edition” of Margarete Böhme's classic book, The Diary of a Lost Girl (PandorasBox Press). Gladysz lives in San Francisco, and loves watching and reading about old movies. More at www.thomasgladysz.com.
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