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Special to The Union
Three of the most obscure but bone-chilling tales from the Master of the Macabre, Edgar Allan Poe, are showcased in the acclaimed European fantasy-chiller “Spirits of the Dead,” having its local premiere this Halloween weekend at the Off-Center Theatre at The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley.
Directed by Roger Vadim, who first exposed Brigitte Bardot to world audiences in the scandalous “And God Created Woman,” "Metzengerstein" (based on Poe's first published story) stars Jane Fonda as a decadent French contessa whose erotic indulgences include orgies and sadism. But when her aloof cousin (Peter Fonda, in his only screen appearance opposite his sister) rebukes her amorous advances, she maliciously burns down his prized stable – with him in it – unaware that his spirit will live on in the form of a magnificent black stallion determined to exact his revenge on his murderer.
“William Wilson,” directed by Louis Malle of “Atlantic City” and “Pretty Baby” fame, features Alain Delon as an arrogant 19th century Austrian soldier who cheats at cards, humiliates women and enacts petty revenge upon anyone who crosses him. But Wilson gets a taste of his own medicine one day when his identical twin (also played by Delon) appears from nowhere and begins treating Wilson with the same abuse and degradation which he has so enthusiastically been inflicting on others.
The third and final tale, “Toby Dammit, or Never Bet the Devil Your Head” was directed by the legendary Federico Fellini and hailed by the Tribeca Film Festival as “a Fellini masterpiece.” Terence Stamp stars as a wealthy, drunken, debauched movie star who has achieved his lofty status in life via an impromptu pact with the Devil -- a pact for which the Devil now intends to collect his payment!
“Spirits of the Dead” (rated R) screens this Saturday and Sunday at 5 and 7:30 p.m. Admission for all seats is $5.
For information, call
The Center for the Arts at
(530) 274-7374.
Three of the most obscure but bone-chilling tales from the Master of the Macabre, Edgar Allan Poe, are showcased in the acclaimed European fantasy-chiller “Spirits of the Dead,” having its local premiere this Halloween weekend at the Off-Center Theatre at The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley.
Directed by Roger Vadim, who first exposed Brigitte Bardot to world audiences in the scandalous “And God Created Woman,” "Metzengerstein" (based on Poe's first published story) stars Jane Fonda as a decadent French contessa whose erotic indulgences include orgies and sadism. But when her aloof cousin (Peter Fonda, in his only screen appearance opposite his sister) rebukes her amorous advances, she maliciously burns down his prized stable – with him in it – unaware that his spirit will live on in the form of a magnificent black stallion determined to exact his revenge on his murderer.
“William Wilson,” directed by Louis Malle of “Atlantic City” and “Pretty Baby” fame, features Alain Delon as an arrogant 19th century Austrian soldier who cheats at cards, humiliates women and enacts petty revenge upon anyone who crosses him. But Wilson gets a taste of his own medicine one day when his identical twin (also played by Delon) appears from nowhere and begins treating Wilson with the same abuse and degradation which he has so enthusiastically been inflicting on others.
The third and final tale, “Toby Dammit, or Never Bet the Devil Your Head” was directed by the legendary Federico Fellini and hailed by the Tribeca Film Festival as “a Fellini masterpiece.” Terence Stamp stars as a wealthy, drunken, debauched movie star who has achieved his lofty status in life via an impromptu pact with the Devil -- a pact for which the Devil now intends to collect his payment!
“Spirits of the Dead” (rated R) screens this Saturday and Sunday at 5 and 7:30 p.m. Admission for all seats is $5.
For information, call
The Center for the Arts at
(530) 274-7374.
SPIRITS OF THE DEAD
121 minutes - rated R,
Off-Center Theatre, The Center for the Arts, Grass Valley Shows Sat., Oct. 31 & Sun., Nov. 1 at 5 and 7:30 p.m. The 200th anniversary of the birth of Edgar Allan Poe is celebrated in this lavish fantasy-chiller inspired by three stories from the Master of the Macabre. Director Roger Vadim's "Metzengerstein" stars Jane Fonda as a decadent French countess who enacts a horrific revenge on her cousin (Peter Fonda) after he rebukes her amorous advances. Louis Malle's "William Wilson" features Alain Delon as a sadistic 19th Century Austrian soldier tormented by his own doppleganger (also played by Delon) who gives the soldier a taste of his own medicine. Federico Fellini's "Toby Dammit, or Never Bet the Devil Your Head" features Terence Stamp as a wealthy, drunken, debauched English movie idol who owes his status in life to a decades-old pact with the Devil -- for which the Devil now intends to collect his horrifying payment! |
