We’re excited to welcome back the talented musicians of the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra to accompany the classic Harold Lloyd comedy Speedy. In his final silent movie (and one of his best), extensively filmed in New York City, Lloyd plays Speedy, a Yankees fan who comes to the aid of his girlfriend’s (Ann Christy) grandfather, the owner and operator of the city’s last horse-drawn streetcar. With a notable appearance by Babe Ruth as himself, this terrific comedy features the acrobatics and chase scenes that helped make Lloyd one of the best comedy performers in the movies. Program approximately 90 minutes, followed by special presentation.
Immediately following the screening, historian John Bengtson will offer a fascinating illustrated presentation about the New York City locations for Speedy, including archival photographs and contemporary images of what the places look like today. (The film also contains Hollywood locations doubling for New York.) Bengtson is the author of Silent Visions: Discovering Early Hollywood and New York Through the Films of Harold Lloyd, among other books.
Photos © 2011 The Harold Lloyd Trust
Based in Louisville, Colorado, the members of Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra enrich the silent movie experience with authentic music of the era, performing under the direction of Rodney Sauer, who compiles and arranges the scores. Mont Alto made their Bay Area debut the same week that the restored Rafael opened in April 1999, and they have returned several times over the years. The New York Times wrote about their work: “The results are often breathtakingly beautiful and always in the strict service of the film on the screen.”
Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra will also perform at the Castro on Saturday, December 1 as part of “A Day of Silents” from the San Francisco Silent Film Festival.
ADMISSION TO THIS PROGRAM: $20 General | $18 Seniors | $15 CFI Members & Youth
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