Founded in 1966, the Gothique Film Society specialises in double bills ‘for the connoisseur of the macabre’.

Originally rejected by the British censor for being “against nature”, Island of Lost Souls, the first and best screen adaptation of H. G. Wells’ The Island of Dr. Moreau, is a taboo-flaunting, blood-curdling spectacular, and one of Hollywood’s wildest, most notorious, pre-Code pictures.

Shipwrecked and adrift, Edward Parker finds himself a guest on Dr. Moreau’s isolated South Seas island, but quickly discovers the horrifying nature of the doctor’s work and the origin of the strange forms inhabiting the isle: a colony of wild animals reworked into humanoid form via sadistic surgical experiments. Then Dr. Moreau introduces Edward to his ‘Panther Girl’, intending more than just friendship.

Featuring a terrific performance by Charles Laughton as the diabolical doctor and a sterling appearance by Bela Lugosi as the half-beast-half-man “Sayer of the Law”, this is one of the most imaginative and nightmarish fantasies from Hollywood’s Golden Age of Horror.

By contrast, Horror Hospital is the ultimate 1970s UK horror! Legendary British actor Michael Gough stars as Dr. Storm, the depraved proprietor of a ‘health hotel’ in the English countryside. But when a burned-out rocker (Robin Askwith, of ‘Confessions’ fame) and his sexy new girlfriend arrive for a relaxing vacation, they’ll instead become trapped in a nightmare of psycho bikers, cheeky dwarves, rampant decapitations, gratuitous nudity, lethal luxury sedans and a diabolical plan to create a slave army of lobotomized zombies.

This outrageously bloody and totally camp cult favourite comes from the warped mind of writer/director Antony Balch – and has to be seen to be believed!

Both films will be presented on 35mm film, courtesy of The Cinema Museum.

Doors open at 18.00 for a 19.00 start.

Refreshments will be available in the licensed cafe/bar.

TICKETS & PRICING

Everyone welcome: Individual tickets at £8.00 can be purchased on the door (cash only, please) or via TicketLab.

Alternatively, Gothique Film Society membership subscriptions are available. Each season comprises six shows, from October to March. The subscription for all six shows is £30.00, but discounted membership is available for in-season joiners. For further enquiries about membership, contact Simon Davies j_s_davies@hotmail.com or come along and join up on the door. (Cash only, please!)