“Dracula” @ FLMNH (July 13)

The Florida Museum of Natural History’s “Creative B” summer film series features entertaining science fiction films and roundtable discussions by scholars, scientists, writers, and artists.

This summer’s “Masters of the Night” theme continues with Tod Browning’s 1931 film Dracula.

The first authorized film adaptation of Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel, Dracula is among the most influential works of the horror film canon. Lugosi’s weird, mannered performance is considered the definitive Dracula, and made him a lasting cultural icon. Director Browning’s distinguished career as a director of silent films is discernible in this sound film’s many borrowings from conventions of silent film – descriptive intertitles, long periods of pregnant silence, and lingering, full-screen close-ups – which serve to heighten the film’s uncanny theatricality and intensity.

The evening’s events begin at 7 PM. The screening will be preceded and followed by a roundtable discussion featuring:

• Ian Breheny – Museum Operations Specialist at the FLMNH and co-founder of the film series
• Madeline Gangnes – PhD candidate, UF Department of English, and President of the UF Graduate Comics Organization
• Tim Lawrence – Special effects artist and concept sculptor
• Brian Pope – Director of the Lubee Bat Conservancy and former Animal Programs Keeper at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Dracula is unrated and is suitable for general audiences. Some scenes may be unsuitable for pre-teen viewers.

On July 21, beginning at 7 PM, the series continues with Arthur Hiller’s Nightwing (1979).

All “Creative B” events are free and open to the public.