3/11, 7:00PM California Theater

“Nosferatu” made history when it was released in 1922 and still influences horror movies today (perhaps most notably the excellent 2000 film “Shadow of the Vampire”). Based loosely on Bram Stoker’s novel “Dracula,” it features a vampire of an entirely different breed than the ones of modern entertainment. Count Orlock is no dashing, tragically romantic hunk. He’s hunched, bald, rat-faced, with enormous claws — he is a creature you can really believe is a reanimated corpse. Director F.W. Murnau creates a curious, almost surreal vampire tale in this silent film, and if you have an interest in vampire stories, silent film, early German cinema, or horror films, it is a must-see. A 35mm restored print will be shown, accompanied by Dennis James on the California Theater’s great Wurlitzer organ.