TOPEKA (KSNT) – A Topeka Halloween tradition returned Friday night as Silents in the Cathedral welcomed moviegoers to Grace Episcopal Cathedral for its 29th year.
The event featured the 1926 German expressionist film “The Student of Prague”, accompanied by live music from organist Marvin Faulwell and percussionist Bob Keckeisen.
Bill Schaffer, director of the Kansas Silent Film Festival and Silents in the Cathedral, said the event started as an experiment after cathedral staff approached organizers about hosting a spooky silent film around Halloween. The first event featured “The Phantom of the Opera” and drew a much larger crowd than expected.
Schaffer said organizers initially anticipated around 200 to 300 people, but 750 showed up. Now, nearly three decades later, the tradition continues.
“This is now the 29th year we’ve been doing this,” Schaffer said. “We’ll be happy to get to the number 30 next year.”
Denise Morrison, who introduces the films and shares their history with audiences, said silent films offer a different kind of moviegoing experience.
“Having the live music experience really adds something to it,” Morrison said. “There’s no talking, so you read the titles. You really have to invest in the characters.”
Morrison described this year’s film as more creepy than traditional horror, telling the story of a man tempted by wealth and riches in exchange for something he doesn’t fully understand.
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Organizers said the unique atmosphere of Grace Episcopal Cathedral, combined with live musical accompaniment, helps make the event a memorable experience for the community.
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