Lurch on, Universal monsters!

Film

There have been frightening happenings at the film world’s Halloween Headquarters, also known as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences — and they’re still going on. “A Monstrous Centennial,” the Academy’s month-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of Universal Pictures, screening 13 classic horror classics, has reach mid-point. The series is augmented by a fabulous lobby display at the Academy’s Wilshire Boulevard facility, including monster-movie paraphernalia, posters, still and production photos, and lobby cards.

First up in our photos: A charming shot of Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences President Howard Koch (aka “Hawk,” who just in August assumed the post) in the company of the actress Carla Laemmle, who will turn 104 years old in just two days. She’s the surviving niece of Universal Pictures founder Carl Laemmle. A delighted audience enjoyed seeing Carla play a small speaking role in “Dracula” (1931).

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Academy President Hawk Koch & actress Carla Laemmle, surviving niece of Universal founder Carl Laemmle at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

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Oscar®-nominated writer/directors Guillermo del Toro & John Singleton prior to screenings of "The Bride of Frankenstein" and "Dracula."

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Oscar®-winning makeup artists Dick Smith & Rick Baker prior to screenings of "The Bride of Frankenstein" and "Dracula."

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Donna Langley, Co-Chairman, Universal Pictures, celebrating 100 years of movie making, is joined by Carla Laemmle prior to screenings of "The Bride of Frankenstein" and "Dracula." We love the female studio boss!

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Oscar®-winning makeup artist Rick Baker following screenings of "Bride of Frankenstein" and "Dracula."

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Ron Chaney, grandson of Lon Chaney Jr., and daughter Jaclynn Chaney prior to screenings of "The Wolf Man."

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Guillermo del Toro, Oscar®-nominated writer/director, introduces "Bride of Frankenstein" and "Dracula."

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Oscar®-winning makeup artist Rick Baker & director John Landis prior to screening "An American Werewolf in London."

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Director John Landis discusses "An American Werewolf in London," appearing as part of "A Monstrous Centennial: Universal's Legacy of Horror."

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Actor David Naughton, director John Landis prior to screenings of "The Wolf Man" and "An American Werewolf in London.

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Actress Julie Adams star of "Creature from the Black Lagoon" appearing as part of "A Monstrous Centennial: Universal's Legacy of Horror."

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Randy Haberkamp, Managing Director, Programming, Education and Preservation, and Jessica Rains, daughter of Claude Rains, prior to a screening of "The Invisible Man."

*          *         *

Randy Haberkamp, Managing Director, Programming, Education and Preservation, who curated the impressive program together with NBC/Universal said,”Horror films today are all blood and gore, but in their generation, they were about unrequited love. The classic horror genre has underlying emotion beyond the shock.”

Says Jeff Pirtle, NBC/Universal’s Director of Archives and Collections who oversaw restoration of the 13 titles in the series: “What the monsters want is to be loved, a universal theme (no pun intended!) that all people feel. I think the genre defines Universal. In the early 1930s, they saw this basic human emotion that people needed. We wish to share the horror films with a new generation of audience.”

Still to come in “A Monstrous Celebration”: a cool schedule that stretches till All Hallow’s Eve. What a great resource! It’s cheap, it’s fun, just go~!

October 23, 7:30 pm
Samuel Goldwyn Theater
The Birds (1963)
October 27, sundown, Oscars Outdoors 
The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)
Tarantula (1955)
October 27, 2 pm, Linwood Dunn Theater
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966)
October 30, 7:30 pm
Samuel Goldwyn Theater
The Phantom of the Opera (1925)

Photo credits: Greg Harbaugh, Richard Harbaugh, Todd Wawrychuk / ©A.M.P.A.S.

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