HIT to show silent era masterpiece 'Nosferatu'

IRONWOOD — The Historic Ironwood Theatre will present a highly touted silent movie Saturday evening.

Andrew Rodgers will return to the Barton Organ to accompany “Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror.” Show time is 7:30 p.m.

The German-made silent movie was first released in 1922, but didn’t see a release in America until 1928 because of some copyright issues, according to theater manager Bruce Greenhill.

“Nosferatu was very influential in the silent movie industry because of its filming techniques and make-up,” Greenhill said, adding that Rotten Tomatoes rated it the second best horror movie ever made.

The silent horror film tells the story of the mysterious Count Orlok, who lives in a castle in the remote Transylvanian mountains.

Rodgers is no stranger to the Ironwood Theatre, as he has performed at several silent movie presentations. He is the staff organist at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor. “They also have a Barton there,” said Greenhill. “They have silent movies three, four times a week. He’s quite an accomplished accompanist.”

Greenhill said the horror movie works well with the season, “So, come out and get your Halloween on.”

Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

—Larry Holcombe