Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival will host the 1919 Cinema Centennial at Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Avenue in Chicago, on Wednesday, October 23 at 7:00pm. The special program celebrating films released 100 years ago will feature a collection of shorts followed by a feature with contemporary music and sound effects performed live.
Among the films to be showcased will be “Bumping Into Broadway,” a silent short featuring Harold Lloyd, that tells the story of a young playwright who spends his last cent to pay the rent of a struggling actress in a theatrical boarding house. Through pursuing her, he ends up at a gambling club where he wins big just before a police raid.
The evening’s feature presentation will be Victor Fleming’s “When the Clouds Roll By,” featuring Douglas Fairbanks. The silent romantic comedy will be presented on 16mm (courtesy of the Museum of Modern Art).
The full program will cover a range of genres with both live action and animation.
“What geeks me out the most about this year’s film selection is the number of ‘firsts’ it happens to showcase,” said Program Director Tricia Legat. “Our feature film happens to be the directorial debut of Victor Fleming and one of our shorts is the first appearance of Felix the Cat.”
Each film will have live music accompaniment performed by Gail Gallagher, a music director, composer, and theatre/music teacher. Gallagher has been seen playing for many improv groups, including Storytown Improv and the Therapy Players, and recently released her first single.
“When I think about what I do as an improv music director,” said Gallagher. “I realize that so much of it has evolved from the tradition of live music over silent film and I’m so excited for the opportunity to play in that style.”
Live sound effects will be performed by percussionist Nick White utilizing his collection of percussion instruments specifically used during the silent movie era. White’s demonstrations of these instruments have been featured on stage, radio, local news, and silent film shows around the Chicagoland area.
According to Legat, “Between Gail Gallagher’s contemporary musical accompaniment and Nick White’s vintage sound effects, our Cinema Centennial experience is sure to demonstrate how cool silent film can be and leave you wanting more.”
Tickets for the 1919 Cinema Centennial are available online at musicboxtheatre.com for $11.00. Discounts apply for Music Box Theatre members. For a complete breakdown of the program, visit cinemacentennial.com.
