“The Witch’s Dungeon Classic Movie Museum, created and managed by Cortlandt Hull since 1966 recently completed its 49th consecutive year as the longest running Halloween attraction in the country. Since moving to the Bristol Historical Society two years ago this one-of-a –kind movie museum has become an international attraction, as well as, garnering support from across the country.
Attendees from over 14 countries have included such distant places as Spain, U.K., Canada, Lebanon, Iraq, Jamaica, and Mexico. Citizens from 25 states have also enjoyed this unique artistic and cultural attraction. States from across the country include California, Missouri, Utah, Arizona, Florida, and Ohio, as well as, every New England and Mid-Atlantic states. This year alone over 80 communities from Connecticut were in attendance, said a press release from the Dungeon’s host, the Bristol Historical Society on Summer Street.
Cortlandt Hull has managed this attraction for 49 consecutive years. The BHS press release said he is capably assisted by tour guides and ghostly hosts, Jodi Dickson (Carmilla Karnstein) and Rob Lansley (Farnsworth the Butler). Emmy Award winner, Bill Diamond, from Bill Diamond Productions in New York provided the lighting effects in addition to developing set design. Peter Bradley provides the audio expertise, while Audrey Weller has been instrumental in special costume design and restoration. Dan Jorgensen and Kelly Mann assist with original prop restoration, so that more items can be displayed. John Bartucca and Mark Zaniewski welcome guests and assist with movie prop explanation and history. Members of the Bristol Historical Society assisted guests, as well as, narrating the history of its organization.
Many special guests, attractions, events and new figures will greet the many guests, who are sure to attend and commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Witch’s Dungeon Classic Movie Museum, which will open on Friday, September 30, 2016.
“Bristol is certainly blessed to have Cortlandt Hull, who has been so instrumental in developing an attraction that represents the artistic and cultural aspects, as well as, the entertainment and historic value of the movie industry,” said the press release from the historical society.
Until this attraction opens next year at the Bristol Historical Society on Friday, Sept. 30, Cortlandt Hull will be sponsoring the “Hollywood at the Bijou” classic movie series at the Bristol Historical Society.
This series, which include a major feature, vintage cartoons and short subjects, are presented from original reel-to-reel movies. They are held twice monthly on Friday evenings at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. A nominal admissions donation of $3 is requested to assist the two non-profit museums.
Light movie-style refreshments are available.