"Rat-eyed and restless," the "Cornerboys" are ready for their dark debut on Oct. 26 as part of an All Hallows evening of entertainment.

The goblin-ish "Cornerboys" first emerged into form in a poem written by Jamieson Ridenhour, currently chairman of the humanities department at the University of Mary.

The poem was published almost 10 years ago in a now-defunct horror magazine, Ridenhour said. But like all good horror characters, the "Cornerboys" didn't die there.

The boys are now on film, a collaborative production of Ridenhour's writing and narration, Bismarck artist Ali LaRock's multilayered illustrations and the suspenseful Hitchcockian score of musician Kevin Smith, a boyhood friend of Ridenhour's from South Carolina.

The film, an 11-minute journey through the dark fairy tale of Jennifer Lynn, who ignores the cautionary advice about the dangers that lurk in the dark city, will be presented by Ridenhour, LaRock and Smith free to the community Oct. 26 at the Mysteria Theatre in Mandan.

The three will answer questions about their collaboration after the premiere.

"We're calling it a film, but it's more (accurately) a film version of an illustrated book with narration and music," Ridenhour said.

It seemed like the Mysteria - in the building that housed the former Academy Theater on Mandan's Main Street - would have a good atmosphere for the program, Ridenhour said.

Continuing the evening will be a showing of "The Bride of Frankenstein," Universal Studio's classic film starring Boris Karloff.

Ridenhour also will discuss Karloff's connection to North Dakota - the time the actor spent with a theater troupe in the state.

The evening begins at 7 p.m. A cash bar and appetizers will be available, but the event itself is free of charge.

"Cornerboys" also will be shown at 7 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Aleshire Theater at Minot State University, he said.

The poem itself hasn't changed from its first published form, Ridenhour said, but hearing it with the musical score and seeing LaRock's illustrations has enlarged the experience, he said.

"It's like they pulled it out of my head," he said, "and where they changed it, they improved it."

Eventually, Ridenhour said, he'd like to see the creation published in some form.

Dakota Media Access cable television will show "Cornerboys" three times a day during Halloween as well, he said.

"Horror lets us confront the things we're afraid of," Ridenhour said.

For more information, visit www.jamiesonridenhour.com or call Ridenhour at 701-471-9659.

(Reach reporter Karen Herzog at 250-8267 or karen.herzog@bismarcktribune.com.)