Special Guests

Two unforgettable faces from the strange world of David Lynch are taking center stage in a very special one-night-only double feature at The Frida on October 22nd: I Don’t Know Jack + I Know Catherine, the Log Lady. And as an added bonus, the directors of both films, Chris Leavens and Richard Green will be joining us for a Q&A between screenings! And Robert Broski (Episode 8 "Gotta Light" Woodsman) will be the judge for the costume contest! First up is I Don’t Know Jack (2002), the documentary portrait of Jack Nance, the unforgettable star of Eraserhead and one of Lynch’s most distinctive recurring collaborators. Through interviews with friends, family, and fellow artists, including David Lynch and Catherine Coulson, Chris Leavens’ film explores the complicated life and career of the man behind Henry Spencer, Pete Martell, and so many other unforgettable characters. Then, meet the woman behind the log. Director Richard Green’s I Know Catherine, the Log Lady (2025) goes far beyond Margaret Lanterman, exploring the extraordinary life of Catherine Coulson as an actress, artist, mother, friend, and longtime Lynch collaborator. Featuring Lynch, Kyle MacLachlan, Grace Zabriskie, Mark Frost, and many others, the film culminates in Coulson's final days, when she returned to the role of the Log Lady for Twin Peaks: The Return. Two documentaries. Two remarkable artists. One beautifully Lynchian family tree. Please join us for this very special event.  One ticket gets you access to both films. Doors open at 7:00PM, and the films will begin at 7:30PM. There will be a Q&A during the intermission. 

Just added: Author Julian David Stone will be joining us to introduce the film and sell copies of his novel, It’s Alive!, in the lobby in the lobby!  Before Frankenstein. Before the Wolf Man. Before the Mummy. There was… Dracula! Our Universal Monster Movie Weekend begins with the film that started it all: Tod Browning’s immortal 1931 classic Dracula! When solicitor Renfield (Dwight Frye) travels to a remote castle in Transylvania to help Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi) finalize a real estate transaction, he has no idea he’s dealing with one of the most dangerous creatures on Earth. Soon, the seductive vampire has followed him to London, where he sets his sights on the innocent Mina Seward (Helen Chandler) and begins feeding on the city’s unsuspecting residents. Adapted from Bram Stoker’s legendary novel and featuring Bela Lugosi’s iconic, hypnotic performance, Dracula transformed the vampire from literary monster into one of the most recognizable figures in popular culture. Its eerie atmosphere, expressionistic shadows, unforgettable imagery, and Lugosi’s unmistakable screen presence helped establish the Universal Monsters as one of Hollywood’s greatest cinematic legacies.

Just added: Author Julian David Stone will be joining us to introduce the film and sell copies of his novel, It's Alive!, in the lobby!  One man. One monster. One of the greatest horror films ever made. Our Universal Monster Movie Weekend continues with James Whale’s Frankenstein, the 1931 masterpiece that gave the movies one of their most enduring monsters. Obsessed with unlocking the secret of life, the brilliant but reckless Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) robs graves and assembles a body from stolen parts, bringing his creation to life with a bolt of lightning. But the creature (Boris Karloff) is not the mindless monster Henry expected. Rejected and feared by everyone he encounters, he soon becomes the target of a terrified mob. Adapted from Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel, Frankenstein remains one of the foundational works of American horror, balancing genuine terror with a surprising amount of sympathy for its misunderstood creature. Boris Karloff’s performance turned the Monster into an icon, while James Whale’s striking production design and unforgettable laboratory sequence helped define the visual language of the Universal Monsters for generations to come.

Just added: Latin horror expert, journalist, and former Frida volunteer Justina Bonilla will be introducing this screening! Think you’ve seen Universal’s Dracula? Think again! Our Universal Monster Movie Weekend kicks off its Sunday lineup with Drácula, the extraordinary Spanish-language version of the 1931 vampire classic. While Tod Browning and Bela Lugosi were filming their English-language Dracula by day, director George Melford and an entirely different cast, including Carlos Villarías as the Count, were shooting their own Spanish-language version on the same Universal sets by night. The story is familiar: Count Dracula arrives in Transylvania, travels to London, and sets his sights on the beautiful Eva, but this version brings its own distinct style, atmosphere, and interpretation of Bram Stoker’s immortal vampire. Long overshadowed by Lugosi’s iconic performance, Drácula has undergone a major critical reevaluation, with its inventive camerawork, striking compositions, and more expansive approach earning it a reputation as one of the most fascinating alternate versions in early horror cinema. Villarías even studied footage of Lugosi’s performance during production, but the result is anything but a copy.

Just added: Bekah Phillips, The Frida Cinema's Director of Marketing, will be introducing this screening!  Universal Monster Movie Weekend disappears into the shadows one of our all-time favorites: James Whale’s The Invisible Man! A mysterious stranger arrives at a remote English inn, his face completely hidden beneath bandages and dark glasses. But there’s more to Dr. Jack Griffin (Claude Rains) than meets the eye...literally. After discovering a way to make himself invisible, Griffin begins to lose his grip on morality, using his newfound power to terrorize anyone who stands in his way. Based on H.G. Wells’ groundbreaking novel, The Invisible Man was a technical marvel in 1933, with effects that still impress nearly a century later. But what really makes the film unforgettable is Claude Rains, whose entire performance is delivered through his voice, turning Griffin from brilliant scientist into an increasingly unhinged menace. Add James Whale’s darkly comic touch, and you get a Universal Monster movie that is as funny as it is frightening.

Experience Benjamin Christensen’s 1922 silent occult classic Häxanlike never before, reimagined with a haunting live metal score by The Silent Light. This hallucinatory descent into witchcraft, superstition, and the occult will be performed one night only live at The Frida Cinema on October 27th, 2026! About The Silent Light Founded in 2015 by Michael Formanski, The Silent Light is a musical endeavor that breathes new life into classic silent films through the power of live heavy metal. Formanski, composer and film director, crafts each score drawing from the dark and intense realms of black metal, doom metal, and original fantasy soundtracks with influences such as The Body, Sunn O))), Emperor, Summoning, and Nobuo Uematsu. Accompanying Formanski is Matt Hardy, the steadfast drummer who has been a key member for the past several years, along with a rotating ensemble of skilled musicians who contribute to the project’s ever-evolving sound. The Silent Light’s performances transform silent films like Metropolis, Faust, and Nosferatu into contemporary masterpieces with their haunting and powerful metal scores. They continue to push the boundaries of what silent film scoring can be, inviting audiences to experience the classics in a way they never have before. To learn more about The Silent Light, check out their website.

At Reclaiming Your Power you’ll hear from powerful speakers who have reclaimed their power: A Two-Day Experience to Reclaim Your Voice, Your Story & Your Power November 6th & 7th, 2026 | The Frida Cinema | Orange County, CA What if the next chapter of your life begins with one decision: start reclaiming. Reclaim Your Power is an immersive two-day experience designed to inspire you to reconnect with who you are, what you carry, and what becomes possible when you stop giving your power away. Walk the red carpet and join Dr. Azadeh Atzberger, L.H.D., founder of Power With-IN Publishing, speaker, best-selling author, educator, and transformational leader, alongside an incredible lineup of speakers and thought leaders for two unforgettable days of stories, connection, insight, inspiration, and transformation.

Get ready to shrink down and relive the wild adventure of Honey, I Shrunk the Kids with Friends of the Mouse! Eccentric inventor Wayne Szalinski's (Rick Moranis) experimental shrinking ray accidentally miniaturizes his teenage kids and their next-door neighbors. The four tiny children are mistakenly thrown out with the trash and must navigate the perilous, jungle-like terrain of their own backyard. To make it back home safely, they have to dodge giant lawnmowers, treacherous sprinklers, and backyard insects, all while their frantic parents launch a desperate search to find them before it's too late! Along with prizes and a special cartoon, star Amy O'Neill (Amy Szalinski) will be joining us for a post-show Q&A as well as a meet & greet/autographs before the film. Tickets for this event are free but you must RSVP each attendee. Priority seating is available for Friends of the Mouse members. Memberships are available for $20/yr per family and can be purchased at this link.

Join cult filmmaker and drag icon Peaches Christ, Sleepaway Camp star Felissa Rose, and filmmaker and podcaster Michael Varrati for an unforgettable evening celebrating one of the most gloriously shocking horror films of all time! The event begins with a live pre-show featuring performances, conversation with Peaches, Felissa, and Michael, behind-the-scenes stories, audience participation, and a 1980s Camp Costume Contest, followed by a screening of Sleepaway Camp. A limited VIP Meet & Greet experience ($80) will also be available. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a first-time camper, this is a unique chance to experience Sleepaway Camp like never before! VIP ticket holders will be invited to a special meet-and-greet with Felissa Rose, Peaches Christ, and Michael Varrati at 6:30PM including a photo opportunity and autographs (up to two items per guest). 6:30 PM Doors Open for VIP ticket holders | 7 PM Doors open for general admission ticket holders | 7:30 PM Live pre-show | 8:30 PM Feature Presentation Frida Cinema member discount and comp passes do not apply!