As the Sunday Cinema Series continues into autumn, a collection of classic horror films will be offered on Sunday, October 19, at Edmond Town Hall Theatre. Newtown Cultural Arts Commission has been presenting the monthly series since May, offering moviegoers the chance to celebrate what many consider to be the greatest year of film history while enjoying films released in 1939 the way they were meant to be seen: on the big screen.

This month’s offerings will, appropriately, delve into the horror genre. The October 19 program will begin with screenings at 1 and 4 pm of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. At 7 pm, moviegoers will be treated to a double-feature of The Return of Dr X and Son of Frankenstein.

In addition, Newtown High School student and filmmaker Max Galassi will celebrate the premiere of his latest film, A Really Bright Star.

Max’s 16-minute short will precede the 7 o’clock double feature offerings.

The high school senior describes his film as “a commentary on the growing problem where everyone uses their cellphones and other devices to capture everything they are doing rather than simply living their lives.”

The film was done, he said October 13, because he “wanted to create something that reflects how I have created my own memories, and reflects what I’m feeling about this big turning point in life.”

A Really Bright Star is the story of a teenage girl named Hayley and the summer between her high school graduation and college departure.

“She wants to have an amazing summer, making a lot of great memories, but she is afraid she will forget these memories,” said Max. “So she asks someone to film her.

“Then she becomes more obsessed with making the film and not living in the moment,” he continued. A Really Bright Star was written, produced, and directed by Max. He is also one of the featured actors in the film, playing Eli, the friend who spends the summer recording Hayley’s every move.

“I filmed mockumentary style, so I was kind of making the video [within the film] and also making the video that people will be watching,” said Max.

Hayley Tate, a senior at Trumbull High School, plays the central character, also named Hayley. Chris Lafky, a junior at Newtown High School, plays Hayley’s boyfriend Alex, and NHS senior Jackie Winkler plays Hayley’s best friend, Cam.

Sunday will not be the first time one of Max’s films will be screened publicly. An earlier film, Youth, was screened in September 2013 as a Newtown Arts Festival featured event. Newtown Cultural Arts Commission (NCAC) also hosted a screening in February 2013 of Astral, another Galassi film.

Max was the recent winner of a $500 NCAC Project Grant. Announced last month, the prize helped him continue working on this film.

While the new film — which was, as is depicted, created during summer break — wasn’t ready for this year’s arts festival, Sunday Cinema Series Coordinator Jen Rogers said she and others were interested in helping put it in front of an audience.

“He had just received the grant from NCAC, and we wanted to see what he had done again,” Ms Rogers said this week. Noting that A Really Bright Star is not a horror film, Ms Rogers said she believes it will nevertheless couple well with the others being offered on Sunday because of the filmmaker’s following.

“The genre is one that teens like,” she said. “And I thought the 7 pm double feature, which doesn’t happen that often, would be an extra special treat.”

A trailer for A Really Bright Star is available online, at youtube.com/watch?v=JoCtMfl8oyg.

Sunday’s Program

Ms Rogers has tried, she said, to pick a number of popular films for each month’s Sunday Cinema Series offering. Previous programs have already included Best Picture nominees Goodbye, Mr Chips, Mr Smith Goes To Washington, Ninotchka, and The Wizard of Oz, along with popular releases Gunga Din, Laurel & Hardy’s Flying Deuces and The Little Princess. November’s program will feature Best Picture winner Gone With The Wind.

“I wanted to feature as many iconic stars of the era as I could” for each month, Ms Rogers said this week. “I think this weekend is one of the biggest.”

With Son of Frankenstein alone, audiences are treated to performances by Basil Rathbone, Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, and Lionel Atwill.

The version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame being screened Sunday was a remake of the original 1923 silent film which starred Lon Chaney. The 1939 film stars Charles Laughton as Quasimodo and Maureen O’Hara as Esmeralda, and was directed by William Dieterle.

The plot for this film differs greatly from the novel upon which it was based, but it did pick up Academy Award nominations for Best Original Score and Best Sound.

The Return of Doctor X, though not a true sequel, was selected to accompany Son of Frankenstein because the role of the sinister Doctor X was a huge departure for Humphrey Bogart, said Ms Rogers. It served as Bogart’s first and last horror flick. Directed by Vincent Sherman, it also stars Wayne Morris and Rosmary Lane.

“I’m happy that I’m able to get the stars up there,” said Ms Rogers. “Charles Laughton was really a highly regarded actor. I’m very proud that we can feature so many wonderful stars of the age.”

Ms Rogers is encouraging everyone who attends Sunday’s shows to dress in costume. She hinted that she might even have a trick or two up her sleeve in terms of what she will be wearing.

“I might have to dig out some costume pieces,” she said with a laugh.

Ms Rogers has also contacted Bethel artist Richie Nigro, and invited him to display some of his art. Mr Nigro was featured at Newtown Arts Festival last month, with many paintings and prints based on classic movie posters. Ms Rogers was particularly taken by a painting featuring Frankenstein’s monster, she said, and has specifically asked that that be among the works to be display in the town hall lobby.

In all, it is turning into another program that will offer movies and more.

“I’m really excited about this season,” Ms Rogers said. Between the return last weekend of the Newtown Pumpkin Festival, the middle school’s annual Scarecrow Competition (entries will begin arriving at the school on Saturday), The Great Pumpkin Races (Saturday at Edmond Town Hall), the upcoming return of The Great Pumpkin Challenge, and the ultimate event, trick or treating on Main Street, Ms Rogers said she thinks “the whole town really looks forward to Halloween.

“It’s another fun communitywide thing to participate in,” added Ms Rogers, who sees Sunday’s program as a continuation for those who enjoy the spooky season.

All films are shown at the Edmond Town Hall Theatre, 45 Main Street in Newtown.

Tickets are $2 for the matinee shows, and $4 for the double feature and Really Bright Star premiere

All proceeds and donations will benefit the Edmond Town Hall for theater improvements.

For more information, visit NewtownArtsCommission.org and facebook.com/newtownsundaycinemaseries.