On Oct. 13, a reporter ventured into the dark recesses of the unknown. 24 hours later, he returned … as a changed man.
Okay, maybe that’s a bit dramatic, but I did have the pleasure of attending the 10th annual Shock Around the Clock this past Saturday. Each year, the Drexel hosts a 24-hour horror movie marathon where audience members are subjected to the terror and dread of horror movies both new and old. This year’s line-up included such horror classics as The Innocents (1961) and From Dusk Till Dawn (1996). There were also new horror films that exclusively premiered for the first time, such as Luz, Hagazussa: A Heathen’s Curse, and Crystal Eyes.
In addition to these horror features, there was also a costume and scream contest held where winners could potentially win $100. All audience members are encouraged to participate, because even if you don’t win, they have really cool participatory prizes available, such as horror magazines and comic books. In between screenings, there are short intermissions where vintage cinema trailers in 35mm are shown, and insightful commentary is provided before each film.
An event of this magnitude has definitely cultivated a dedicated following over the years. One man at the event drove all the way from Pittsburgh.
“The 24-hour Horror Marathon started in 1988, at the Drexel North,” said Joe Neff, a main organizer for the event. “The Drexel North closed in 1995. I kind of resurrected the horror marathon in 1999 at Studio 35. Did five of the 24-hour events there, and then that stopped. Since 2013, we’ve been here at the Drexel.”
Ever since, the event has been going strong and has managed to attract audiences both young and old. You might be wondering though, how do people manage to stay the whole time? What are some strategies?
“I know people who eat a lot during the event, and they stay awake the whole time,” said Neff. “Some people go the classic caffeine way, or take NoDoz.”
Here’s some advice from my first experience. First, show up early to secure a seat that best suits you. Second, bring a blanket or some kind of small pillow to increase comfort. Third, take advantage of the Drexel’s food and beverage selection specifically tailored to the event. Choices included Donatos pizza, White Castle, sloppy joes, soft pretzels, hot dogs, and unlimited refills of coffee.
Now that some tips have been given, let’s talk about the heart of the event, which is horror films. One of the best films of the night had to be Scream For Help. It’s a pretty bad ’80s movie with terrible line delivery, but that’s what made it so enjoyable. The main character, Christie, is kind of a brat, but that’s why her character was so fun to watch. Luz and Hagazussa were slow burns, but they are very well made films that are absolutely beautiful to look at. All the films get good recommendations from me.
Horror can be a very divisive genre among general audiences. Some people are completely turned off by it because it freaks them out too much, and admit that they can’t handle it. Others can’t get enough of the thrills that come from being spooked. During an intermission, I asked Neff why he loves the genre so much.
“Science fiction is about the brain, and horror is about the body and the physical part of things. It’s dealing with the dread of the unknown; kind of playing around in darkness. Horror explores uncomfortable territory, but in a controlled way. It’s fun to be scared,” he said.
There you have it. Next year, bring a friend and attend Shock Around The Clock. You’re in for some haunting thrills and possible laughs from the more “cheesy” films that are shown. By actually managing to stay the whole 24 hours, you can proudly say that you survived the night.
