Made in 1920, the silent horror film, ‘The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari’ shocked the world with its edgy and well-placed cinematography. Likewise, Nosferatu (also directed by F.W. Murnau) came out just two years later and turned movie-goers into full-blown insomniacs upon its theatrical release.

For those who’ve never seen a silent movie get a live music treatment symphonic or otherwise, you’re in for a real treat. “We strive to create soundtracks that give modern -day audiences a context to appreciate these 100-year-old movies,” said Josh Robins, Invincible Czars founder and bandleader.

And while there are just as many fans of both German expressionist films, most would agree ‘Nosferatu’ and its eerie main character, Count Orlok (played by Max Shreck), is the evening’s main attraction. For the uninitiated, the movie was an unauthorized adaptation of Dracula that soon met the legal wrath of Bram Stoker’s heirs, the estate of the Dracula brand.

For those who’ve not yet seen Nosferatu, ‘Shadow Of The Vampire,’ released in 2001, is a wonderful, though fictitious account, of how the movie came to be and, more importantly, a good look at the trials and tribulations of producing silent cinema.

Now in its 17th year of accompanying live film, The Invincible Czars’ touring troupe today includes Phil Davidson (violin, keyboards, percussion), Skunk Manhattan (piano, keyboards, bass), Josh Robins (guitar, bass, samples, percussion), Louis Landry (drums, percussion, keyboard), and Hampton Rattan (winds, keyboard).

Doors open at 6:30pm and the 2+ hour show starts promptly at 7:30pm. Tickets start at $15 and go up to $35 and can be purchased at crestsacramento.com. The Crest Theatre is located at 1013 K Street in Sacramento, CA. Concertgoers are encouraged to cosplay.

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Fast Eddie

Categories: News, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, The Invincible Czars