A howling good time to be had at ‘Wolf Man’ screening
JOYCE RUDOLPH
A discussion about the evolution of werewolves in film should provide
horror fans with plenty to howl about tonight during The Alex Film
Society’s screening of “The Wolf Man” (1941).
Prior to the 8 p.m. show, Daryl Maxwell, society board member and
Burbank resident, is coordinating a panel including Ron Chaney,
grandson of Lon Chaney Jr., who starred in the movie, and Kevin
Grevioux, who plays a werewolf in Sony’s film “Underworld,” released
last month.
Dan Roebuck, TV and film character actor and a big fan of horror
films, will be the panel host.
They’ll talk about how werewolves have been portrayed in film over
the years and what it’s like to play a werewolf, said Maxwell, an
archivist with Universal Studios and a huge fan of Universal’s horror
classics made in the 1940s and ‘50s.
“Ron is just a great guy, and he is passionate about his family’s
work and continuing the Chaney legacy,” he said.
Ron’s grandfather, Lon Chaney Jr., played the Wolf Man, Dracula’s
son, Frankenstein’s monster and the mummy as well as appeared in
Westerns and the stage and screen versions “Of Mice and Men,” Maxwell
said.
His great-grandfather, Lon Chaney, was a famous silent film star.
He played the title character in “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and
“The Phantom of the Opera.”
“These are such iconic names, not just in the horror genre but in
films in general,” Maxwell said.
Also shown will be a teaser for Ron Chaney’s film “Curse of the
Wolf Man,” a continuation of the wolf man legend written in tribute
to his grandfather’s classic film.
“It gives us a chance to see Ron Chaney in the lead and in the
makeup,” he said. “It is astounding how much he looks like his
grandfather.”
In contrast, actor Grevioux will talk about the modern-day horror
genre and how the technology has changed since the 1940s, Maxwell
said.
Sony has donated promotional items from “Underworld,” like
T-shirts and posters, and Universal has donated art from the film,
“Van Helsing,” scheduled for release in May.
Van Helsing is the doctor who identifies Dracula as a vampire, and
Van Helsing kills him in the original film, Maxwell said. All the
classic characters from Universal’s horror films return in this film,
he added.
Preceding each screening at The Alex is the animated short
“Monster of Ceremonies,” directed by Paul J. Smith for Walter Lanz
Productions for Universal in 1966, featuring Woody Woodpecker as a
Frankenstein-esque monster.
Also cast in “The Wolf Man” are Claude Rains, Bela Lugosi and
Maria Ouspenskaya.
Actor and horror collector Bob Burns will be in the lobby showing
his collection. There will be werewolf figures on display from “The
Howling” (1981) and props used in horror movies.
The society’s screenings are at 2 and 8 p.m. today at The Alex
Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., in Glendale. Tickets are $9.50, $8 for
the matinee. For reservations, call 243-2539.
SPECIAL EVENTS
BRAND EXHIBIT EXPLORES ‘WHAT IS ART’
“What is art” is the theme explored by the works of artists Risk
Castinado and Gary Wood opening with a reception today in the Brand
Library Art Galleries.
Wood’s realistic depictions of outdoor signs in Los Angeles and
his contemporary portraits in the Atrium Gallery are in a traditional
vein, recognizable as paintings done in acrylics and oil. The liquid
environmental abstracts of Castinado’s large black-and-white palette
of chemicals poured on light-sensitive paper, however, could exist
only in her mind. The fantastic landscape-like worlds she creates are
in sharp contrast to the acrylic paintings of Wood’s real world.
Both artists will be in the gallery for artists’ talks and will be
taking questions from guests at 4 p.m. today, just prior to the
opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Both events are free and
refreshments will be served. The exhibit ends Jan. 17.
Brand Art Galleries are in Brand Park at 1601 W. Mountain St.,
Glendale. Hours are 1 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 1 to 6 p.m.
Wednesday; and 1 to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more
information, call 548-2051.
VISUAL ARTS SPECIALIST GIVES LECTURE
Joseph A. Gatto, founder and former chairman of the
internationally recognized Visual Arts Department at the L.A. County
High School for the Arts, will give a lecture from 2 to 4 p.m. today
at Brand Library in Glendale.
The event is sponsored by The Associates of Brand Library.
Gatto is renowned for his influence and contributions in art
education. Over four decades, he developed an award-winning
curriculum that was designed to guide young artists in achieving
their highest maximum potential.
Throughout his career, Gatto’s students became known for their
portfolio presentations and have been recruited by the most
prestigious art colleges in the country. He is the author of several
books, including “Careers in Art,” “Exploring Visual Design Drawing”
and “Media Technique.”
He is a recipient of the BRAVO award, the Bell Teaching award and
the White House Presidential Distinguished Teacher award.
Gatto retired in 2002 and continues to teach part time and
participate in programs designed to benefit and mentor young artists
in the spirit of community activism.
There will be a question-and-answer period. Brand Library is in
Brand Park at 1601 W. Mountain St., Glendale. For more information,
call 548-2051.
PHILHARMONIC OPENS CONCERT SEASON
The opening concert of the Burbank Philharmonic Orchestra’s season
begins at 7:30 tonight at the Hall of Liberty at Forest Lawn
Hollywood Hills.
The free concert is under the direction of Music Director and
Conductor Steven Kerstein.
The classical concert will feature a performance by Aroussiak
Baltaian of Altadena, who took top honors at the 2002
Hennings-Fischer/Burbank Philharmonic Orchestra’s Young Artists’
Competition. Baltaian will be the featured soloist on Sibelius’
Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op. 47.
Baltaian was born in Bulgaria and began playing the violin at 5.
She completed her education in Bulgaria at the Plovdiv Music School.
She attended the University of Central Arkansas where she received a
bachelor’s degree in music and was awarded a grant from the British
Council to study violin at the Guilhall School for Music and Drama in
London. In 2003, she received a master’s degree in music at USC,
under the direction of Martin Chalifour.
Baltaian has performed as a soloist and recitalist throughout the
United States and Europe. She has worked with many legendary musical
artists, including Andre Previn, Zubin Mehta and Sir Colin Davis.
Also on the program are Brahm’s Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80
and Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 in E Minor (from the New World), Op. 95.
Forest Lawn is at 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles. For more
information, call 771-7888.
RECORDING ARTIST GIVES PIANO CONCERT
Internationally renowned recording artist Steve Hall will appear
in concert at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Burbank First United Methodist
Church.
“A Grand Concert With Steve Hall” will feature “Claire de
Lune/Jesus Loves Me,” “I Believe/The Impossible Dream,” “The Lord’s
Prayer,” a “West Side Story” medley and more.
Hall has been playing the piano since he was 5, having been
classically trained until he was 15. He enjoyed a successful
management career in banking, and became known as The Banker with a
Beat. He started the company Bankbeat Productions Inc. in 1992 and
has sold more than 1.3 million albums.
Tickets are $5 with proceeds benefiting the Burbank First United
Methodist Church Chancel Choir. The church is at 700 N. Glenoaks
Blvd., Burbank. For more information, call 845-1531.
‘LULU’ CONTINUES PREVIEWS AT VICTORY
Previews continue this weekend for Vox Humana Productions’ “Lulu”
at The Little Victory Theatre in Burbank. It is directed by Jerry
Kernion.
Veering crazily between sex farce and bleak tragedy, “Lulu” is
Peter Barnes’ carnival-tinged adaptation of Frank Wedekind’s
proto-modern classic of sex, obsession, deception and death.
Inhabiting the shadowy world of tents and trailers in a circus
carnival-on-the-edge, Lulu is a woman blessed and cursed with the
instinctive ability to appear the object of fantasy. But is her life
a sexual funhouse, or is every distorted reflection in her lovers’
eyes just a little further from the truth, and a little closer to
destruction?
Previews are at 8 tonight and 7 p.m. Sunday. Opening night is 8
p.m. Tuesday. Performances continue at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays
and 7 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 23. Tickets are $20 and $15 for
students, seniors and union members. The theater is at 3326 W.
Victory Blvd., Burbank. For reservations, call (323) 769-5794.
SPANISH OPERETTA BENEFITS YOUTH EDUCATION
The premiere performance of “Estrella,” a Spanish operetta, will
be presented by Guild Opera Company at 2 p.m. Sunday at Casa Adobe de
San Rafael in Glendale.
“Estrella” is the latest production in Guild Opera’s repertory of
works to introduce elementary school children to the magical world of
opera. The original libretto by Gabriel Reoyo-Pazos is set to famous
Spanish music and will be performed bilingually.
The $25 donation includes refreshments and will benefit school
outreach programs.
The casa adobe is 1330 Dorothy Drive, Glendale. For tickets or
additional information, call (323) 463-6593.
BIG BAND MUSIC CONTINUES AT MOOSE LODGE
The Bobby Perino Big Band is continuing its series “Big Band
Dancing at the Moose” from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the Moose Lodge,
357 Arden Ave., Glendale.
Guests can exhibit their ballroom and swing dancing skills to an
orchestra playing the standards from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.
Dance styles are East and West Coast swing, waltzes, foxtrots and
mixers. Latin dance styles include cha-cha, rumbas, mambos and
tangos.
Additional dates are Nov. 23 and Dec. 28. Admission is $6. For
information, call 240-1505.
HALLOWEEN CELEBRATED AT DOCTORS’ HOUSE
A special celebration featuring how Halloween was celebrated
during the Victorian era is planned from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the
Doctors’ House Museum in Glendale.
Docents will be showing exhibits and explaining how the Victorians
lightened up the serious holiday traditions. Guests can enjoy a cup
of hot apple cider and participate in games and activities of days
gone by. Those attending are encouraged to come in costume.
The Doctors’ House Museum is in Brand Park, 1601 W. Mountain St.,
Glendale.
ON STAGE
‘LATE NIGHT CATECHISM’ PRODUCED AT FALCON
“Late Night Catechism” is continuing in an open-ended run at 7:30
p.m. each Sunday at The Falcon Theatre in Burbank.
It was written by Vicki Quade and Maripat Donovan. Directed by
Marc Silvia, the interactive comedy features an irrepressible
“Sister” teaching a class of “students” (the audience). Parochial
school was never this funny!
The Falcon is at 4252 Riverside Drive, Burbank. Tickets are $25.
For reservations, call 955-8101.
‘TEN LITTLE INDIANS’ OPENS AT CENTRE THEATRE
Agathe Christie’s “Ten Little Indians,” directed by Burbank
resident George Strattan, continues its run at Glendale Centre
Theatre.
It’s a suspenseful tale of murder as one by one guests at a dinner
party fall victim, leaving the audience guessing until the final act.
Tickets range from $16 to $20. The play continues through Nov. 22.
For the children, “Jack and the Beanstalk” by Byron Simpson
continues at 11 a.m. Saturdays through Nov. 15. Tickets are $12 and
$10 for children.
For reservations, call 244-8481. Glendale Centre Theatre is at 324
N. Orange St., Glendale.
COMEDY NIGHT AT MARIE CALLENDER’S
Glendale now has a comedy club. Shows begin at 9 p.m. Fridays and
Saturdays at Marie Callender’s, 707 N. Pacific Ave., Glendale.
The headliner tonight is Darren Carter and the featured act is
Stephanie Blum.
Tickets are $10 and can be reserved by calling 503-7388. Dinner
packages are available. There is a two-drink minimum. Doors open at
8:30 p.m.
FUNKY PUNKS RETURN TO THE FALCON
The Troubadour Theater Company’s Funky Punks are back at The
Falcon Theatre in Burbank with an all-new “Circus Spectacular!”
The Troubies have transformed the Falcon Theatre stage into a
rollicking three-ring circus. Lion tamers, acrobats and jugglers
abound as these misfits of mayhem find any excuse to wreak havoc.
It’s 60 minutes of family entertainment.
Performances are 1 and 3 p.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m. Sundays through
Nov. 23. Tickets are $12 and $10 for children 12 and younger. The
Falcon Theatre is at 4252 Riverside Drive, Burbank. For reservations,
call 955-8101.
‘WISHING WELL’ IN WORLD PREMIERE AT VICTORY
The world premiere of Jon Klein’s comedy “Wishing Well” continues
at The Victory Theatre in Burbank.
It is directed by Maria Gobetti and co-produced by Tom Ormeny,
Robert E. Alschuler, Susan Alschuler and Gobetti.
It’s about a family of strong women and their men. Secrets define
their lives and shocks of discovery force them to change.
Show times are 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 4 p.m.
Sundays through Nov. 16. Tickets range from $22 to 24. The Victory is
at 3326 W. Victory Blvd., Burbank. For reservations, call 841-5421.
‘A FEW GOOD MEN’ AT THIRD STAGE
Aaron Sorkin’s military courtroom drama, “A Few Good Men,”
continues its Los Angeles run tonight at the Third Stage in Burbank.
The play is directed by David Blanchard, who also is playing the
role of Lt. Jonathan Kendrick. Co-producing the play are Birdman and
Old Country Productions.
Before the film, the play was on Broadway and even though it went
on national tour, it was never produced in Los Angeles.
Show times are 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays until Nov. 22.
Tickets are $20, $15 for students and seniors. The theater is at
2811 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank. For reservations, call 842-4755.
A NOISE WITHIN PRODUCING CLASSICS
Two productions are running in repertory at A Noise Within,
Glendale’s classical theater company.
Director Craig Belknap makes his debut with Moliere’s “The Miser.”
Harpagon, the Miser, loves money almost as much as he loves himself.
Determined to marry off his son and daughter -- at a profit -- and
take a young bride for himself at an even greater profit, Harpagon’s
attempts at courtship are almost thwarted when a conniving
matchmaker, a shrewd servant and a surly cook all want money in order
to do their work. But when Harpagon’s secret love -- his buried
treasure -- is stolen, romance is off and the chase for the criminal
is on.
The play continues in repertory with Shakespeare’s “Coriolanus”
until Dec. 7.
Coriolanus, a creature singularly bred for violent combat, braces
for a meteoric rise as Rome’s greatest warrior. Unable to sever the
tentacle-like apron strings of his honor-seeking, bloodthirsty
mother, Coriolanus struggles to grasp control of a universe filled
with treachery and rebellion. It is only when Coriolanus uses honesty
as a blunt instrument to strive for real depths, does he discover his
real self.
Company artistic co-directors Geoff Elliott and Julia Rodriguez
Elliott are directing this piece. Geoff Elliott also appears in the
starring role.
It plays in repertory through Dec. 6. Tickets range from $20 to
$40 and can be reserved by calling 240-0910. A Noise Within makes its
home at 234 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale.
FRIGHT GALLERY SCARES UP ANOTHER ATTRACTION
The Fright Gallery is producing another haunted attraction with
“Experiments in Terror” at the Burbank Media City Center.
The story line centers on Dr. C.J. Henderson, head of operations
for the Institute of Paranormal Research. Hazelwood Manor, a site of
many apparition sightings, has been de-constructed and brought to the
institute’s new research facility at the mall.
Members of the Fright Gallery come from various areas of the
entertainment industry. They created many haunted mansions for
Halloween seasons in the 1980s and 1990s until 1993.
Hazelwood Manor is next to the carousel on the first level of the
mall, 201 E. Magnolia Blvd. Hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through
Thursday and 6 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday through Nov. 1.
Admission is $10 to $15.
A special family friendly song and dance “Trick or Treat” matinee
for young children is from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $6 per
child and $2 per adult.
* If you have press releases for the 48 Hours column, please call
JOYCE RUDOLPH at 637-3241 or e-mail joyce.rudolph@latimes.com or fax
them to 241-1975.