THEATRE OF HORRORS: THE SORDID STORY OF PARIS’ GRAND GUIGNOL TO RECEIVE WORLD PREMIERE AT L’ETRANGE FESTIVAL
Producer/Director David Gregory and Horror Icon/Narrator Barbara Steele Will Be In Attendance To Introduce the All-New Documentary On Sept. 6th
Los Angeles, CA (August 26, 2025) Severin Films today announced the World Premiere of their original documentary THEATRE OF HORRORS: THE SORDID STORY OF PARIS’ GRAND GUIGNOL, which explores the grisly history and pervasive legacy of the Grand Guignol Theatre. Produced, directed and edited by award-winning filmmaker David Gregory and narrated by horror icon Barbara Steele, its debut screening will be held on September 6th at L'Etrange Festival in Paris.
Occupying a former chapel in a seedy Pigalle alley, Paris’ Théâtre du Grand-Guignol first welcomed audiences to witness its unflinchingly horrific and naturalistic stage plays in 1897. During the next 65 years of gruesome performances, the ‘Theatre of Death’ developed a distinct brand of drama so sadistic yet brilliant, it captivated the world well beyond its final bow. Today the theatre’s name remains synonymous with macabre plots, and its legacy – from the modern horror genre to tabloid journalism, the true-crime phenomenon and beyond – continues to have a profound impact on popular culture worldwide.
David Gregory – whose previous explorations of transgressive entertainment include LOST SOUL: THE DOOMED JOURNEY OF RICHARD STANLEY’S ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU, BLOOD & FLESH: THE REEL LIFE & GHASTLY DEATH OF AL ADAMSON, ENTER THE CLONES OF BRUCE and SUZZANNA: THE QUEEN OF BLACK MAGIC – will be present to introduce the documentary at its World Premiere alongside Ms. Steele, the legendary star of such horror classics as BLACK SUNDAY, THE PIT & THE PENDULUM, THE GHOST and SHIVERS.
“I’ve been fascinated by The Grand Guignol since childhood,” says Gregory. “But despite brief mentions in horror history books and deep scholarly studies, my search for a cinematic exploration of the subject had consistently proved unrewarding. Even my interactions with French genre filmmakers revealed their own superficial knowledge of the Theatre’s significance. It all led me to dig deeper and discover the truth behind the pat adjective that ‘Grand Guignol-esque’ had become. The French approach to l'épouvante and fantastique – of which The Grand Guignol plays a major role – has always had its own distinctive influence which now deserves new focus.”
Following the screening of THEATRE OF HORRORS: THE SORDID STORY OF PARIS’ GRAND GUIGNOL, L’Etrange Festival will also be presenting a series of Grand Guignol shorts with live musical accompaniment by Serge Bromberg including rare restorations of films by Maurice Tourneur, Georges Méliès, and three of Fred Paul’s 1921 British Grand Guignol films newly restored by Severin Films.
Additionally, during a double-feature that honors Barbara Steele in two of her starring roles, Severin Films’ restoration of Riccardo Freda’s landmark 1963 horror thriller LO SPETTRO/THE GHOST will be shown at the festival on September 3rd in tandem with David Cronenberg’s SHIVERS, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
Tickets sales and additional details for the festival can be found at: https://www.etrangefestival.com/2025/fr/movie/theatre-of-horrors-the-sordid-story-of-paris-grand-guignol
Trailer Link: https://vimeo.com/1110616391/f6fd502af3?ts=145228&share=copy