The Other Side of Yuletide film season at Cornerhouse ft Dead of Night

As part of its The Other Side of Yuletide… An Alternative to Christmas season, Cornerhouse will be screenings films telling the darker tales of the holiday season. Selected  by chief projectionist Gary Watson, these screenings vary from eerie Christmas noir to macabre tales of devil pacts and even a 1944 celebration by Second World War captives. The season features Alberto Cavalcanti’s 1945 classic Dead of Night (pictured, Sat 21 Dec, 3.30pm) which follows a visitor to a manor house who can’t shake of déjà vu when the guests begin to recount sinister experiences. This horror movie is accompanied by an introduction by Linnie Blake, principle lecturer in film and director of the Manchester Centre for Gothic Studies at Manchester Metropolitan University. The series will also include Thorold Dickinson’s The Queen of Spades (Sun 15, 12pm) from 1949. The rare screening of this forgotten 1949 British classic, which tells the story of an ancient countess and her dealings with the devil, will be followed by a post-screen discussion led by Blake. The season also features Lady in the Lake (Sat 14, 4pm), Curse of the Cat People (Mon 16, 6.20pm) and A Midnight Clear (Thu 19, 6.10pm). Running alongside the season is a festive deal in the cafe where audiences can enjoy a glass of mulled wine with a slice of traditional Italian Christmas dessert Panforte di Siena for £3.95. And, as is tradition, Cornerhouse will be running daily screenings of Frank Capra’s 1947 classic It’s a Wonderful Life from Friday 20 until Monday 23 December. Tickets usually sell out quickly – so booking is essential.

Sat 14 – Mon 23 Dec, Cornerhouse, 70 Oxford Street, M1 5NH, £5.50 (£4 students), www.cornerhouse.org