Duality and Robots Muses The PCT

The Pocono Community Theater in East Stroudsburg, PA presented a special Haunted Halloween edition of their Silent Films to Loud Music Series on Thursday October 27th featuring the 1920 Horror Classic “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” starring John Barrymore and 1927 science-fiction classic “Metropolis” directed by German expressionist Fritz Lang. Also featured were music performed by Willbium, King Dead, and Rez Lep and the Apparatus. The combination of these artistic forms created a newly inspired experience which led to a deeper appreciation of each approach expression of talent. The event was well attended and emceed by Derek McCauley of The Pocono Internet Broadcasting Company (PIBCO).

The evening began with the screening of  “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” as accompanied by Willbium whose instrumental explorations enhanced the film’s qualities by providing a score denoting the psychological implications of the film. The film is based upon The 1886 novel written by Robert Louis Stevenson titled, “Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” and is about a London lawyer named Gabriel John Utterson who investigates strange occurrences between his old friend, Dr Henry Jekyll, and the evil Edward Hyde.

The film departs from the novel in several ways which includes the introduction of characters not found in the novel along with deleting some that were. However, the film remains cinematically effective through it’s beautifully constructed scenes and thoughtful ##intertitles (aka title cards) which not only revealed the content of the dialogue but the inner workings of the characters. This added a depth as well as a sense of dread as the audience began to become involved in the story and wonder where the actions of the characters (especially those of Jekyll and Hyde) would lead.

The next film to be shown was “Metropolis” which was first accompanied by King Dead featuring Charlie Abriel on drums, Wil McG on 6-string bass, Will Sovinski on slide guitar and harmonica, and Kevin Vanderhoof on bass and later by Rez Lep and the Apparatus. King Dead’s music is often associated with a sound similar to the music found in what has become known as  “Spaghetti Westerns” #(aka Italo-Westerns or Continental Westerns) which were films made popular during the 1960s and were a sub genre of Westerns made in Italy. Utilizing this musical genre as a soundtrack added an uncommon dimension to the film which reinterpreted much of its classic imagery. It was the stuff film historians get overly excited about but those who attended the event were able to simply sit back and enjoy the film.

Rez Lep and the Apparatus accompanied a later portion of the film and his performance added an eerie texture to the work even beyond the considerable one it had gained a reputation for. Rez Lep’s familiar use of electronic voiceovers, demonic vocalizations, and peculiar instrumentalities allowed the audience to explore the deeper and darker aspects of the film and themselves. In spite of the technical difficulties that plagued the performance, Rez Lep and the Apparatus created a dystopian environment reflecting that of the film while creating a Hellishly unique realm derived from his imaginative performance.

“Metropolis” takes place in a futuristic mega-city in which society is divided into two classes. These classes are managers (about 1 percent of the population) and workers (well, the rest). The city is a repressive and controlled state where those worker who are enslaved by the city’s managers live a meager existence while those who rule live in luxury. The conflict of the film derives from the love that blossoms between the city’s founder’s son named, “Freder” and a worker Named, “Maria.” Freder soon realizes the horrors the workers must endure and begins to sympathies with their condition as his love for Maria increases.

After his son leaves, #Joh Fredersen is disturbed by the news he had become aware of. However, his disturbance doesn’t inspire him to make life better for the workers but to find ways to secure the status quo and to discredit or do away with any thoughts of self determination among the workers. This later approach  becomes more imperative when Maria begins to preach to the workers the need for a mediator to explore the needs of management and the worker so they may both be accommodated in equanimity.

Fredersen discovery of this threat to his way of life and control of his domain leads him to seek out his old collaborator Rotwang. Rotwang introduces Fredersen to a Machine-Man he has constructed. A plan is put into place in which Maria would be abducted and a replica of her would go before those whom she swayed with her oratories. This occurs and the Machine-Woman imitating Maria endeavors to discredit her reputation through various methods including presenting herself as “The Whore of Babylon.”

I wish I could share with you how the film progressed, but, like the screening of “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” the film was discontinued as the musical performances came to an end. This was an unfortunate aspect of an otherwise enjoyable evening which included a costume contest. Still, it was a good night to get out and enjoy some good music and films with friends. You’ll find more photographs in The Music 2011 Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150134623910421.332199.636000420&type=1&l=5c69119dd6.

The Pocono Internet Broadcasting Company (PIBCO) is a radio station which broadcasts its programming over the internet with a desire to help support and promote our community, local musicians and artists, locally owned small businesses, and give the surrounding communities a locally owned broadcast outlet that it has been missing for many years. Towards these ends, PIBCO offers a variety of programs covering a wide array of interests and musical styles. Please Explore #The Pocono Internet Broadcasting Company (PIBCO) Website at www.pibco1.com to listen to their programs and for more information about all the station has to offer.

The Pocono Community Theater is located in East Stroudsburg, PA. The relatively small theater houses three screening rooms in which films ranging from the commercially popular films of the day to the Independent and Foreign films not readily available in larger venues are shown. The Pocono Community Theater also holds special events throughout the year including a Red Carpet Event at The Stroudsmoor Terraview on Friday November 11th, and a screening of the 1959 film “The Diary of Anne Frank” on Sunday November 13th in remembrance of Kristallnacht followed by a special presentation given by Ken Wolk. Please Explore The Pocono Community Theater Website at www.poconocommunitytheater.org or call 570-421-2036 for more information about these event and all the theater has to offer.