The perfect date movie. “The Bride of Frankenstein” will be streamed at the Majestic on Friday, Oct. 27 with the proceeds going toward the Art & Culture Commission’s public art initative. (Photo by Nick Sestanovich)

Frankenstein’s monster returns in search of a bride in a one-night screening of “The Bride of Frankenstein” at the Majestic Theatre on Friday, Oct 27.
This showing of the 1935 Universal classic horror picture starring Boris Karloff is a part of Spooktacular, a Halloween event put on by the by Benicia’s Arts and Culture Commission (ACC), which is currently securing funds for a Public Art Initiative. The initative aims to incorporate more murals and other forms of public art around town to brighten up some areas and further emphasize Benicia’s status as an artistic community. The commission hosted the screening of another legendary movie at the Majestic over the summer, “Casablanca,” and decided to try and repeat that success.
“Adults are really looking for an opportunity to be a kid again, dress up and have some fun” ACC Chair and event organizer Terry Scott said. “We are giving them that fun.”
Spooktacular came about after Scott and commission members saw how successful the “Casablanca” screening– which also included a few old movie trailers and a “Tom and Jerry” cartoon– was. Scott began to look for another time a movie could be shown at the Majestic. He zeroed in on October because of Halloween and started reading entertainment papers to see what horror movie had broad appeal. Scott chose “The Bride of Frankenstein” due to the fact people could be scared of the monster but laugh at the campiness of the movie.
“A lot of people like to go to the Majestic Theatre,” he said. “It brings back a lot of memories of their youth. We have a lot of people who have been in Benicia 20, 30 years and showing ‘Casablanca’ was a way to wind it back and remember what it was like to be a kid again and date somebody. It is a very much a culturally significant item for our community, and we are trying to make sure people have access to it.”
Scott hopes Spooktacular will become a tradition within the community. He already has a live show planned in December at the Majestic and hopes for more in the future. The Spooktacular organizer won’t divulge what costume he will be coming in but says he looks forward to seeing everyone who comes out to the event.
“Spooktacular is totally funded by the Public Art Initiative and we are looking for ways to brighten Benicia into an aven better place than it is,” Scott said. “So by coming, you are supporting the initiative.”
The Majestic screen lights up at 8 p.m. As with the “Casablanca” screening, old movie trailers will also be shown before the film. Ticket prices for the event are $15 for just the movie and $25 for the movie and after party at Elviarita’s Cantina across the street, which will go on from 10 to 11:30 p.m. Proceeds from Spooktacular all go to the Public Arts Initiative. Costumes are encouraged for the event. The Majestic is located at 710 First St. For more information and to buy tickets, go to eventbrite.com/e/halloween-spooktacular-tickets-37739053525.

Sharing is caring!