The Black Cat (House of Doom): A Christmasy film screening

As our "Christmas" event, we'll watch the film "The Black Cat", on 3 December in Edinburgh and online. There'll be snack and a wee drink.

This 1934 American "pre-code" film was directed by Edgar G. Ulmer and stars Boris Karloff and Béla Lugosi. Stranded American newlyweds seek shelter in the fortress-like home of a sinister architect, only to become trapped in a vengeful blood feud and satanic ritual orchestrated by a traumatized World War I veteran.

The film was among the earlier movies with an almost continuous music score, and it helped to create and popularize the psychological horror subgenre by emphasizing atmosphere, eerie sounds, the darker side of the human psyche, and emotions like fear and guilt to deliver its scares. The film was released in the United Kingdom in under the title "House of Doom".

This event will be in person and streamed online. The Quaker Meeting House has barrier-free access by lift. Tickets cost £7 / concession £5 / Docomomo members £3 in advance.

Image – Excerpt of the "alternative" version of the 1934 poster of the film "The Black Cat" by Universal Pictures Corporation