Horror of Dracula 35mm + Christopher Lee Art Show

CRITIC’S PICK: Eminent horror actor Christopher Lee, who often played the role of Bram Stoker’s Count Dracula during his lengthy career, is the subject of Dr. Morte’s latest Silver Scream Spook Show, taking place at the Plaza Theatre for one night in June. What’s unusual about this installment is the inclusion of a gallery of paintings by a mysterious local artist named Jimimi Fowlkes who reportedly used some of her own blood to depict Lee on canvas numerous times. Ever-vigilant Spook Show co-creators Madeline Brumby and Shane Morton acquired the 200-plus paintings from a neighbor who had inherited the works and was planning to discard them.
According to Brumby, Fowlkes was a quiet, enigmatic presence in the Morningside neighborhood where she lived for decades with her husband, a scientist. Fowlkes’ obsession with Lee was her main artistic passion and she spent more than 30 years capturing his portrait on canvas with acrylic paints, and sometimes, her own blood. In the diary entries she penned alongside her paintings, she described her fascination with the actor: “What beauty illuminates the face. Such joy to be permitted to spend my days contemplating that face.”
Brumby says Fowlkes rarely talked about her work or showed any of it to anyone. Giselle Malluche, the neighbor who assisted Fowlkes throughout the final years of her life, was bequeathed the artist’s entire output, and will be taking $40 donations to her favorite charity for each painting sold. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to own one of these original, weird works of art for a small charitable donation,” says Brumby, adding that Professor Morte will interview Malluche about Fowlkes and her art and discuss his own obsession with Lee and the classic Hammer films.
In addition to the eerie gallery, Horror of Dracula (1958), starring Lee with Peter Cushing as Dr. Van Helsing, will be shown in 35mm “in its ultimate gory glory” on the venue’s big screen. This was the first of 10 times Lee portrayed Dracula on screen, and critical reception from trade publications was positive. “Its shock impact is, in fact, so great that it may well be considered as one of the best horror films ever made,” a Harrison’s Report pundit wrote. “What makes this picture superior is the expert treatment that takes full advantage of the story’s shock values.” Esteemed film critic Vincent Canby noted: “It’s chillingly realistic in detail (and at times as gory as the law allows). The physical production is first rate, including the settings, costumes, Eastman Color photography and special effects.” — Kevin C. Madigan
$20 for movie tickets. Paintings are $40, and proceeds will benefit changesforhumanity.org. The gallery opens at 6 p.m. and the movie starts at 9:30 p.m. Plaza Theatre, 1049 Ponce De Leon Avenue, Atlanta 30306. 470-410-1939. plazaatlanta.com