Halloween season brings retro scary movies

It’s officially scary movie season, and several retro film series are scheduled throughout the month to celebrate. Here’s your guide.

Radical Rewind presents VHS classics

Barleycorn’s, 608 E. Douglas. Free (must be 21 to enter).

Double Feature Friday: “The Return of the Living Dead” and “The Dead Can’t Dance” – Local DJ Andrew Blake’s ongoing Radical Rewind film series this month features two zombie movies. Up first is the 1985 “Living Dead” sequel that follows two bumbling employees at a medical supply warehouse who accidentally release a deadly gas that causes the undead to rise.

Following that is my zombie comedy/drama that I wrote and directed in 2010 in Wichita with an all-local cast and crew. It’s about a mysterious virus that turns everyone into zombies except Native Americans, who must band together to get through the night and save mankind. (“Return” starts at 8 p.m. Friday, “Dead Can’t Dance” follows at about 9:45 p.m.)

Sixth annual October at the Oldtown Horror Festival

Curated by Leif Jonker and his Wichita Big Screen group, this film series is a fundraiser for the LAPP animal shelter. Unless noted, tickets to all screenings are $5 at Warren Old Town, 353 N. Mead.

“Phantasm: Ravager” – The fifth and final installment of the series has two men joining forces to defeat the evil, dimension-hopping Tall Man (the late Angus Scrimm) once and for all. (Showing at 7 and 10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday)

“Friday the 13th” – The one that started it all, the 1980 original that introduced us to hockey mask fan Jason Voorhees. (7 and 10 p.m. Oct. 17)

Vincent Price double feature: “The Fly” and “House on Haunted Hill” – The 1958 original “Fly” follows a scientist who has a horrific accident when he tries to use his newly invented teleportation device, while 1959’s “Haunted Hill” has a millionaire who offers $10,000 to five people who agree to be locked in a spooky house overnight with him and his wife. Sounds harmless enough, right? (7 p.m. Oct. 18)

“Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer” – The 1986 controversial horror classic gets a 4K digital restoration, following a drifter who commits a series of brutal murders. It’s pretty dark stuff, even by today’s standards (it was originally rated X). (7 and 10 p.m. Oct. 24 and 25)

Double feature: “Halloween” and “Halloween 2” – Closing the fest are John Carpenter’s first two installments of the classic franchise that introduced us to a young actress named Jamie Lee Curtis, who would go on to become known as the “Scream Queen.” (7 p.m. Oct. 31 and Nov. 1; admission $10)

B&B Retro nights

Hutchinson Mall 8, 500 E. 11th St. in Hutchinson. Tickets $5.

“Alien” – Ridley Scott’s terrifying 1979 space thriller stars Sigourney Weaver as the iconic Ripley, who along with her crew must battle a vicious alien that has made its way onto their spaceship. In space, no one can hear you scream. But they sure can in the theater! (4 and 7 p.m. Thursday)

“Halloween” – Another showing of John Carpenter’s classic. (4 and 7 p.m. Oct. 20)

Orpheum film series

Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadway.

“Carrie” – Brian De Palma’s 1976 classic based on Stephen King’s novel celebrates its 40th anniversary. It stars Sissy Spacek in an Oscar-nominated performance as a loner high school student who unleashes her telekinetic powers after she is the victim of a cruel prank at prom. Think twice before you ignore that girl sitting in the corner again! (7 p.m. Oct. 20; tickets $5, $4 students, seniors, military)

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” – The notorious horror parody returns, following the exploits of naive couple Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon) after they stumble upon the lair of transvestite Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry). Costumes are encouraged but not required. Get there early; last year’s screening sold out. (Midnight Oct. 28, doors open at 10:30 p.m.; tickets are $10, $8 for groups of 10 or more, for larger group inquiries, call 316-440-9044; participation kits are $5.)

This story was originally published October 7, 2016 at 11:00 AM with the headline "Halloween season brings retro scary movies."