A Severed Night at The Sherman

The Sherman Theatre* in Stroudsburg, PA presented the first of their Severed Cinema series on Friday January 23rd hosted by its founder Earl Kessler. The films featured that evening were “Demons” directed by Lamberto Bava and “Blood and Black Lace” directed by Lamberto‘s father Mario Bava. The films were shown in the theatre’s lobby which served as a perfect setting for the relatively sizable audience to experience this Double Feature of Golden Era Cult, Horror, and Bizarre Cinema.

After a viewing of trailers from other cult classics, the film “Demons” was shown. The majority of the film took place inside a movie theatre in which members of the audience turned into demons one after another. In spite of the gore peppered throughout the film, “Demons” was had more (unintentional) comedic elements to it than the horrific ones. The 1980’s wardrobe alone kept the audience from taking anything in the film seriously enough to become involved to the point of sharing their horror as they encountered one grotesque creature after another.

The second film, “Blood and Black Lace” was by far the better of the two shown that evening. It began as “slasher” film (which I’m told was the influence of later films such as (dare I say it?) the original “Friday the 13th”) but became a suspense film as it progressed. The entire film seemed to have the aspirations of being a Federico Fellini Film with a healthy mixing of Alfred Hitchcock. However, there were times when the mixture didn’t come out as the director intended. But it was a good film.

With all this said, to approach these or any films contained in the Severed Sinema Series with expectations of witnessing the high quality of film making seen in films like “The Others” or “The Shining” would lead to a devastating feeling of disappointment. These films were made on a small budget and (in many cases) by directors with little experience in the art. Therefore, many mistakes in plot continuity and editing are there for the whole world to see. This is exactly what makes these film favorites of those who attended the Severed Sinema Double Feature. They are fun to watch because of their lack of quality; not in spite of it.

Among those who were brave enough to be in attendance included Rich Berkowitz*, Bill Kelly* and Theresa Woehrel* of The Sherman Theatre* along with Merrill McGuiness* and Dave Morton*. The next presentation in The Severed Sinema Series will be a Zombie Fest on Friday February 20th featuring the films “Let Sleeping Corpses Lie” and the original “Night of the Living Dead” beginning at 7pm. The next shows at The Sherman Theatre* will be The Methodical* CD Release Show at 6pm on Saturday January 24th as part of The Sherman Theatre’s Independent Rock Series featuring The Vivid Twisted*, Vengeful Oath*, Birth by the Grind*, and more, The Annual Mountain Dance Concert at 2pm on Sunday January 25th featuring a gorgeous display of dance-art performances, and Winterfest on Saturday January 31st from 11am until 11pm.

Please Explore The Sherman Theatre* Website for more information. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society A Severed Night at The Sherman Gallery at myspace.com/forwardian_arts.

(*) denotes members of The Forwardian Arts Society in good standing and are considered Our Good Friends.