What sets H.P. Lovecraft ahead of other horror and science fiction writers is his means of setting up a story. He drops a pin early in The Call of Cthulhu, his 1926 short work with this: "We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far."
It's a doom-filled summary of human potential, cast by a character who has seen too much. From there, the tale plays out. Mysterious statuaries are discovered, depicting an ancient creature. Deaths are reported. Cults reappear.
It's become one of Lovecraft's most famous tales and has been resurrected through various media adaptations. One of the most interesting film versions was created by the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society in the mid 2000s, and is done in the style of an old black and white creature feature. DOA Bloodbath Entertainment is bringing both it, and Lovecraft's pulpy alien suspense story, "The Whisperer in Darkness" to Texas Theatre on Sunday. And, like any proper monster movie matinee, they're showing them back to back.
The double helping is served up at 2 p.m. For more information, go here.