Reviving the Silent Nightmare: Legendary Lost Horror Movie Transformed into Captivating Audio Drama

Summary

Reviving the timeless essence of a forgotten gem, "London After Midnight," a renowned silent horror film, will be reborn as a captivating audio drama with a complete ensemble cast. This enthralling adaptation offers audiences a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the narrative through a fresh medium.

The original film, which was released in 1927, is believed to be lost as the only known print was destroyed in a fire. Previous attempts to restore the film have only offered glimpses of its possible content.

The upcoming audio production will showcase a talented voice cast, including Art Malik, and will be recorded in Dolby Atmos to create an immersive listening experience. The release will be in limited edition vinyl format, with episodes being released throughout the fall season.

A classic horror movie from the silent era, which was believed to be lost, is now being revived in the form of a full-cast audio drama. Lon Chaney Jr., an internationally acclaimed actor, starred in London After Midnight, a gothic horror film directed by the renowned Tod Browning. Released by MGM in 1927, the movie was a sensation among audiences and led to Chaney extending his contract with the studio. Sadly, the film is now considered lost as the only existing copy was destroyed in a fire that engulfed the MGM vaults in 1965.

Although it may seem impossible for contemporary audiences to ever witness the collaboration between Chaney and Browning in their 1927 masterpiece, the story of London After Midnight will be brought to life once again through a new non-cinematic medium. Scripted Audio Drama has adapted the original screenplay written by Waldemar Young and Browning, assembling a talented voice cast that includes Art Malik, known for his role in The Little Mermaid, as Inspector Edward Burke, the character portrayed by Chaney. The audio production has been recorded in Dolby Atmos and will be initially released as a limited edition double-gatefold vinyl. Subsequently, it will be made available in episodic format this autumn through Fable & Folly. The play's synopsis is as follows:

London After Midnight Has Been Recreated Before

Businessman Sir James Hamlin delves into the secrets of the enigmatic tenants residing in the long-forgotten Balfour mansion. Their connection to the tragic suicide of Roger Balfour, five years prior, becomes increasingly apparent, raising suspicion of their vampiric nature. In a bid to unravel the truth, family friend and Scotland Yard detective Edward Burke embarks on a quest that unveils a perplexing mystery of a different realm.

London After Midnight is often regarded as one of the most sought-after treasures of the film industry. However, it now exists only in the form of production stills. In 1985, these stills were compiled to recreate the plot of the movie. Subsequently, in 2002, TCM commissioned a new restoration project utilizing these very stills. The restoration included the addition of camera motion, resulting in a 45-minute film that was included in a Chaney DVD box set. Excitingly, the most recent advancement in the ongoing restoration efforts occurred in 2022. Historian Daniel Titley presented nitrate elements from the film in conjunction with his 95th anniversary study titled "London After Midnight: The Lost Film."

The restoration efforts are valuable for historical preservation, but they only provide tantalizing glimpses of the original film. These hints may stimulate continued interest in London After Midnight, prompting efforts to salvage as much of the film as possible. However, they also serve as frustrating reminders that the film is gone forever and will never be seen again. On the other hand, an audio movie produced by Scripted Audio Drama allows audiences to at least experience the story of the original film, featuring exceptional voice talent and high-quality sound.