Join us for Movie Nights in Minerva

We’re kicking things off with William Castle’s spooky classic, starring the one and only Vincent Price. Millionaire Frederick Loren invites five strangers to spend the night in a creepy mansion, promising a hefty cash prize if they survive until morning. But the house has more in store than just rattling chains… expect campy thrills, ghostly gags, and a rollercoaster of haunted fun.
 

• Rated: Unrated (1950s thrills & chills, not too gruesome. Perfect for a spooky night)
• Runtime: 1 hour & 15 minutes

And of course, it wouldn’t be Movie Nights in Minerva without hot, fresh popcorn on hand. So grab your friends, stake out a seat, and prepare for a month of eerie cinema history every Wednesday in October, right here in the Minerva Room.

Registration is not required, but preferred. 

Our October chills continue with a special afternoon matinee screening of one of the most iconic horror films of all time: The Phantom of the Opera (1925).

Like all the films in this series, Phantom lives in the public domain, free from copyright restrictions and open for anyone to view, share, and study. And while we’re celebrating Banned Books Week, it’s worth remembering that it’s not just books that get censored; films do too. In fact, The Phantom of the Opera was banned in the United Kingdom from 1925–1929 because censors felt Lon Chaney’s horrifying Phantom makeup was too grotesque and shocking for audiences. The ban reminds us that whether on the page or the screen, stories that push boundaries have always faced attempts at suppression.

The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
This silent film classic, starring Lon Chaney in his legendary self-designed makeup, follows the mysterious, masked Phantom who haunts the Paris Opera House and secretly tutors a young soprano he adores. Romance, obsession, and unmasking terror collide in one of the most visually haunting movies of the silent era. Bring your imagination—because in true silent-film style, the horror speaks louder than words.

• Rated: Unrated (Silent-era gothic thrills, suitable for most audiences)
• Runtime: 1hr 32mins

And yes, we’ll still be serving hot, fresh popcorn because nothing pairs with silent screams like a loud crunch. Join us in the Minerva Room for this afternoon dive into cinema history, and reflect on how both books and films have been censored throughout history, and why free expression is worth defending.

Registration is not required, but preferred. 

The scares don’t stop! Our October lineup continues with another night screening that’s as campy as it is creepy: The Blob (1958).

Just like the rest of this month’s picks, The Blob is part of the public domain, meaning no copyright chains are holding it back. Public domain works live on through classrooms, libraries, and movie nights like this, ready to be rediscovered and reimagined.

The Blob (1958)
A strange meteor crashes to Earth in a small Pennsylvania town, unleashing a mysterious, ever-growing blob of alien goo that absorbs everything (and everyone) in its path. It’s up to a group of teens, led by a young Steve McQueen in one of his first starring roles, to warn the town before it’s too late. A perfect blend of 1950s sci-fi and drive-in horror, The Blob is equal parts chilling and charming—and the theme song is unforgettable!

• Rated: Unrated (1950s creature-feature thrills)
• Runtime: 1hr 22mins

And yes, the hot, fresh popcorn will be flowing—just watch out that it doesn’t get absorbed by the Blob first. Bring your friends, grab a seat in the Minerva Room, and join us for a squishy, squirmy night of classic horror fun.

Registration is not required, but preferred. 

Our October film series continues with one of the most influential horror films ever made: Night of the Living Dead (1968). This screening is presented as part of National Transfer Student Week programming, with a special welcome to transfer students joining our UAlbany community, but of course, everyone is welcome to attend!

Like the rest of our lineup, this film is part of the public domain, freely available for study, teaching, and viewing. Its availability has helped generations of scholars and fans explore how horror reflects cultural fears, social change, and shifting identities.

Night of the Living Dead (1968)
When the dead begin to rise and feast on the living, a small group of strangers barricades themselves inside a rural farmhouse. Tensions mount as survival instincts clash, and the horrors outside mirror the divisions within. George A. Romero’s groundbreaking film not only launched the zombie genre as we know it but also broke barriers with its casting and bold social commentary.

• Rated: Unrated (graphic violence and intense horror for its time)
• Runtime: 1hr 36mins

And yes, the hot, fresh popcorn tradition continues—perfect for nervously snacking as the zombies close in. Join us in the Minerva Room for this chilling entry in our October series, and help us welcome new transfer students while experiencing one of horror cinema’s most legendary classics.

Registration is not required, but preferred. 

We’re closing out our October series with a hauntingly atmospheric classic, shown as a special afternoon matinee just in time for Halloween: Vampyr (1932).

Like the other films this month, Vampyr lives in the public domain: free for anyone to screen, study, and reinterpret. For scholars, that openness makes films like this a window into the history of cinema and storytelling. For audiences, it means we can keep rediscovering these eerie treasures decade after decade.

Vampyr (1932)
Directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer, Vampyr is a surreal and dreamlike masterpiece often considered one of the most unsettling vampire films ever made. When a young traveler arrives in a quiet village, he becomes entangled in a web of strange visions, eerie shadows, and a family under the curse of a vampire. Known for its haunting imagery, innovative cinematography, and fog-drenched atmosphere, Vampyr feels like stepping into a nightmare you can’t quite wake from.

• Rated: Unrated (stylized gothic horror, light on gore but heavy on chills)
• Runtime: 1hr 23mins

And of course, we’ll have hot, fresh popcorn—a must-have snack for surviving shadowy vampires. Join us in the Minerva Room during the week of Halloween for this afternoon screening and the grand finale of our October film series. Step into the fog and experience one of cinema’s most haunting early horror visions. 

Registration is not required, but preferred.