Palace Theatre screens silent horror classic ‘Nosferatu’

If Halloween Hijinks weren’t spooky enough for you, the Palace Theater is proud to present the monumental horror classic “Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror” at 7 p.m. Saturday. Organist extraordinaire Tommy Stark will perform an original score on the mighty Palace pipe organ to accompany the silent film classic.

F. W. Murnau’s landmark vampire film begins in the Carpathian mountains, where real estate agent Hutter has arrived to close a sale with the reclusive Herr Orlok.

Despite the feverish warnings of the local peasants, Hutter journeys to Orlok’s sinister castle. Hutter soon discovers that Orlok is no ordinary mortal.

Inspired by the Bram Stoker novel “Dracula” and renowned for being one of the silent era’s most influential masterpieces, Nosferatu’s eerie, gothic feel — and a chilling performance from Max Schreck as the titular vampire — set the template for the horror films that followed.

“This iconic piece of cinema brought to new life by an amazing and spooky organ accompaniment is sure to thrill our audience,” said Phillips Payson, executive director of the Palace Theater.

“The stark black and white imagery will haunt you long after the film ends. The influence of the classic silhouette of Count Orlok can still be seen in the vampires of today’s silver screen!”

The special screening event is a fundraiser for both the Palace Theater and The Hilo Organ Society for maintenance of the mighty Palace pipe organ.

Tickets are only $10 and are available at the Palace box office, by phone at 934-7010 or online at hilopalace.com.