This Halloween night, COMET is proving that there’s nothing scarier than dreadful silence by hosting a marathon of classic silent horror films in an event we’re calling Hushaween.
The old-fashioned terror kicks off at 10/9 C Halloween night with the 1922 classic German expressionist film, Nosferatu. Nearly 100 years later, this Dracula adaptation still features arguably the most terrifying and disturbing portrayal of the world’s most famous vampire (though he’s called Count Orlock in the film since it was an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel), as Max Schreck’s unsettling portrayal has influenced countless movie monsters over the years.
Then, it’s time for another classic example of German silent horror with 1920’s The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Known for its twist ending, highly-stylized appearance, and for perhaps being the first ever true horror film, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari tells the story of its titular character, a psychopathic hypnotist who uses a man who suffers from sleepwalking to commit grisly murders at his behest… but all is not as it seems.
Finally, to close out the night, we’re bringing you the most terrifying silent film of them all: 1925’s The Phantom of the Opera, starring horror great Lon Chaney as the phantom. The classic tale has been told on screen a number of times, but none are more iconic or haunting than this silent rendition featuring one of the greatest monster designs in Hollywood history.
These three classic silent horror films on COMET’s Hushaween are so scary they might just leave you speechless — but don’t be surprised if you’re able to eke out a scream or two.
