Sammy Terry – a ghoul who emerged from his coffin each week to introduce late-night TV’s “Nightmare Theater” on an Indianapolis TV station – will emcee Indiana Landmarks’ annual Frightful: A Silent Halloween movie night. The event on Friday, October 27, at Indiana Landmarks Center also includes stage presentations, audience participation, a costume contest, and photo ops.

Sammy will introduce the 1922 silent movie classic “Nosferatu.” Award-winning theater organist Mark Herman will provide live accompaniment for the film, screened in the Grand Hall. Preceding the film, he’ll perform a short selection of classic scary music on the organ.

F.W. Murnau directed the German Expressionist horror film, an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel, “Dracula.” In the movie, the vampire is Nosferatu, and Count Dracula is Count Orlok. Stoker’s heirs sued to halt the distribution of the firm and won, with a verdict that required destruction of all copies of the film. A few survived, however, and the film won recognition as an influential masterpiece.

A cash bar will be available, and door prizes will be given out throughout the evening.  In tribute to the film and novel, dress as a vampire to compete for cash prizes in three categories:  best classic vampire, best original and best couple costume.

Frightful: A Silent Halloween features special lighting effects that join the haunting organ accompaniment to make Indiana Landmarks’ Grand Hall an eerie destination.

WHAT:    Frightful: A Silent Halloween with Sammy Terry

WHERE: Indiana Landmarks Center, 1201 Central Avenue, Indianapolis

WHEN:    Friday, October 27; doors and cash bar open at 6:45 p.m.; movie and costume contest, 7:30-10 p.m.

WHO:      Sponsored by Indiana Landmarks

INFO:       Silent film “Nosferatu,” with live organ accompaniment, costume contest and adult beverages

COST:      $15 general admission ($13 for Indiana Landmarks members). Buy tickets online at www.silenthalloween2017.eventbrite.com, at the door, or call 317-639-4534.

###

Media contacts:

Mark Szobody, Director of Special Events, mszobody@indianalandmarks.org, 317-639-4534 or

Jen Thomas, JTPR, Inc., jen@jtprinc.com, 317-441-2487

###

Indiana Landmarks, a private nonprofit organization, has worked for more than half a century saving historic places and using preservation as a catalyst to revitalize communities. What started as a small, all-volunteer group has grown to the largest statewide preservation group in the U.S., with 6,200 members and a staff of 35 in nine offices around Indiana. For more information on Indiana Landmarks, call 317-639-4534, 800-450-4534, or visit www.indianalandmarks.org.