Nosferatu

Just in time for Halloween, Duck Soup Cinema presents one of the original vampire films, the silent Nosferatu (1922), directed by F. W. Murnau. Max Schreck gives a suitably creepy performance as Count Orlok (a Dracula stand-in) — the only thing more forbidding may be the strains of the Capitol Theater’s original Grand Barton organ playing the soundtrack. A touch of vaudeville with James the Magician opens the show, and Jelani Eddington is the organist.

media release: Overture Center once again reclaims the silent film heritage of the Capitol Theater with its silent film series, Duck Soup Cinema, with the first show—"Nosferatu"—on Saturday, Oct. 14 (more on the film below). Nationally known for providing an authentic silent film experience, the film screenings include local vaudeville entertainment with an emcee, door prizes and a classic feature film. A skilled organist plays live organ accompaniment on Overture’s original Grand Barton Organ, mirroring the actors’ emotions, just as it was done in 1928.

This season’s series is curated by James Kreul, who is thrilled to continue the tradition of Duck Soup Cinema to keep silent film history alive in Madison. Kreul has worked in film programming for more than 25 years, serving as the first programming assistant for the UW-Cinematheque 1998 and a programmer for the inaugural Wisconsin Film Festival in 1999. He has a Ph.D. in film history, focusing on distribution and exhibition of experimental films. Kreul has contributed reviews and film related articles to Isthmus since 2000. Since 2018, he has programmed Mills Folly Microcinema, a monthly experimental film series at Arts + Literature Laboratory, and MMoCA Cinema screenings at Madison Museum of Contemporary Art.

Jelani Eddington and Clark Wilson are the featured organists, and Joe Thompson returns as emcee.

Tickets ($9 for adults, $3 for ages 12 and under) go on sale Friday, Sept. 8 at 11 a.m. at overture.org. Join the Duck Soup Cinema Club by purchasing a package ($24), which includes tickets to all three Duck Soup Cinema shows, priority seating and email newsletters with fun facts about each title.

The films this season, "Nosferatu," "Her Wild Oat" and "Queens of Destruction," explore the disruption of societal norms and expectations in different time periods. In each of these films, there is a subversion of established norms, whether through feminist protest, supernatural horror or comedic rebellion. These films challenge the status quo, often in unconventional and even fantastical ways, highlighting the tensions between tradition and change during their respective time periods. Each film presents a unique perspective, reflecting evolving societal landscapes.

Nosferatu

Saturday, October 14, 2023, 2pm and 7pm

F.W. Murnau | Germany | 1922

Prepare for Halloween chills and thrills with our kickoff for the Duck Soup Cinema season. "Nosferatu" features some of the most iconic vampire imagery in film history, despite being an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula.” F.W. Murnau (“Sunrise,” “The Last Laugh”) directs a legendary performance by Max Schreck as the sinister Count Orlok. The Count leaves death in his wake as he journeys from his castle in Transylvania to prey upon the good people of Wisborg. Murnau's visionary direction crafts a hauntingly atmospheric spectacle, captivating audiences with a macabre ballet of fear and fascination. As a result, "Nosferatu" remains an immortal landmark in cinematic history.

Costumes welcome.

35mm film print provided by Kino Lorber.

Organist: Jelani Eddington

Vaudeville: James the Magician

Preshow lobby entertainment: Doc the Rube and Wayne the Wizard