Nov. 26
Film
The Bells
Before he was stitched together by Dr. Frankenstein, Boris Karloff appeared in nearly 75 films, including the occasional sign of a stellar career in horror to come. James Young’s 1926 silent, The Bells tells the story of an innkeeper whose greed drives him to murder and whose guilt drives him to madness. Karloff pops up as a creepy mesmerist hired to spook the killer into confessing. The film’s loosely based on the Edgar Allan Poe poem as notable for its use of “tintinnabulation” as it is for wringing sheer terror out of the sound of bells, bells, bells. (Cheryl Eddy)
7 p.m.
Brainwash Cafe
1122 Folsom, SF
Free
(415) 255-4866
www.brainwash.com
Stage
The Velveteen Rabbit
The much beloved and dreaded holidays are about to descend upon us once again. For those who aren’t into Santa-style consumption or churchgoing and don’t really enjoy vaguely Christian-flavored entertainment, there’s The Velveteen Rabbit. ODC calls its annual winter holiday offering, a nationally toured theatrical event now in its 20th year, “a tale of love, loyalty, and hope.” Rabbit is a kids’ show, but like all good fairy tales, its appeal is not restricted to those four feet and under. (Rita Felciano)
Through Dec. 10
Thurs.-Fri., 11 a.m.; Sat., 1 and 4 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
700 Howard, SF
$10-$40
(415) 346-7805
www.odcdance.org