Founded in 1966, the Gothique Film Society specialises in double bills ‘for the connoisseur of the macabre’.

White Zombie was a rather surprising follow-up by Bela Lugosi to his fantastically successful – and truly iconic – star performance as the Count in Universal’s seminal horror classic Dracula. But it defies its low budget and is great fun!

It was intended to cash in on the fascination with voodoo that began with William B. Seabrook’s 1929 book on Haitian rites, ‘The Magic Island’, that introduced the concept of a zombie.

‘Dear Bela’ hams it up for all he’s worth, and is thought to have based his portrayal of ‘Murder’ Legendre on a Svengali-like hypnotist, with especially mesmerising eyes, he played in his first German film, Slaves of a Foreign Will.

An Angel for Satan provided Barbara Steele with her final role in an ‘Italian Gothic’. The Birkenhead-born actress, a graduate of the infamous ‘Rank Charm School’, had relocated to Italy, where she gained cinematic immortality by starring in legendary director Mario Bava’s classic Black Sunday. Her chiselled, distinctive features then graced a string of genre titles.

In this evening’s ‘finale’, as with her breakthrough film, she plays dual roles. When the Count of Montebruno gets his lavish mansion ready to welcome his niece, he discovers a mysterious old statue of one of his ancestors, a young girl. And when the niece arrives, it becomes apparent that the statue is exerting an unsettling influence.

Doors open at 18.00 for a 19.00 start.

Refreshments will be available in the licensed cafe/bar.

TICKETS & PRICING

Everyone welcome: Individual tickets at £8.00 can be purchased on the door or via TicketLab.

Alternatively, Gothique Film Society membership subscriptions are available. Each season comprises six shows, from October to March. The subscription for all six shows is £30.00, but discounted membership is available for in-season joiners. For further enquiries about membership, contact David Simpson david.simpson399@btinternet.com or come along and join up on the door.