A special night dedicated to the acting powerhouse that is Al Pacino will be taking place at the Chelmsford Picture House on Thursday 11 October. Pacino, is the multi award-winning method actor who has starred in The Godfather films, Scarface, Glengarry Glen Ross, Carlito’s Way and Donnie Brasco, to name just a few, will be celebrated in the ‘Pacino Evening’. The night starts with a screening of his classic role as the whistle blowing cop who exposes corruption in the NYPD, in the Sidney Lumet directed ‘Serpico’ (18). The role as Serpico resulted in Pacino’s first ‘Best Actor’ Oscar nomination, and he has been nominated a further seven times and has taken away the award once. After the film screening there will be a Q&A session with renowned film critic Mark Searby, who has written a book about Pacino. This is a treat for film geeks, or those just interested in learning a little bit more about one of Hollywood’s greatest actors.
Children and adults will have a rare opportunity to see Dr Who on the big screen when ‘Dr Who and The Daleks’ (U) receives a special showing on Thursday 25 October. The film was originally released in 1965 and was the first celluloid outing for the Doctor, played by the classic British actor Peter Cushing. The film was shot in glorious technicolour and in the widescreen format, so the Daleks are bigger, brighter and much scarier than on the small screen! Inventive British science fiction at its best and rarely screened in cinemas these days. This is not to be missed in the half-term holiday, and will be screened at 2.30pm.
October is the month of Halloween and the Picture House has lined up some scary treats. Kicking the Halloween season off is ‘Carry on Screaming’ (PG). Released in 1966, it was the twelfth film in the franchise and features most of the classic carry on crew; Kenneth Williams, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Simms, Jim Dale, and the recently departed Fenella Fielding, who stole the film as Valeria. This is one of the best Carry On’s and it’s also just a little bit scary as well. Has there ever been a better named monster than ‘Oddbod’? Reunite with an old friend on Tuesday 30 October.
Next in the Halloween season is a double of horror on Wednesday 31 October, with ‘Frankenstein’ and ‘Dracula’ (15). Frankenstein stars Boris Karloff as the monster creation of Dr Frankenstein in this 1931 film adaptation of Mary Shelley’s gothic horror book. Dracula stars two great actors who will always be thought of as classic horror actors, Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. This 1958 British film was the first Hammer Horror film to star both Lee and Cushing, as Count Dracula and Dr Van Helsing. The chilling film is based upon Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel. The big question is – are you brave enough to see both of these gothic horror films in the same evening?
Finishing the season off is ‘The Exorcist – Director’s Cut’ (18) on Thursday 1 November. This 1973 supernatural horror film is widely regarded as one of the greatest horror movies of all time, and the Director’s Cut adds extra footage and scenes to William Friedken’s masterpiece.
There are two live cinema events in October. Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ will be live direct from the stage of the Vaudeville Theatre, London, on Tuesday 9 October at 7.15pm. Michael Fentimen’s adaptation breathes new and vital air into this well-loved comedy, and stars Sophie Thompson (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Harry Potter) as Lady Bracknell. On Tuesday 16 October at 7.15pm the ballet ‘Mayerling’ will be shown pre-recorded from the Royal Opera House. The ballet has emotional depth, haunting imagery and one of the most demanding roles ever created for a male dancer.
All of the Chelmsford Picture House films, apart from live theatre screenings and Dr Who and The Daleks, start at 7.30pm.
For full details and to book tickets visit www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres or call the Box Office – Tel No: 01245 606505.
