On July 14 at 4pm Peace Lutheran Church once again invites you to spend the afternoon enjoying a silent film as if you were back in the roaring 20s. Celebrating this film’s 100th anniversary, the renowned Walt Strony will accompany on theater organ the 1924 film, Girl Shy, starring Harold Lloyd. The early movie production method before sound relied on a live organist playing a live organ for dramatic background music and sound effects – an experience rarely found today.
Girl Shy is a romantic comedy with Lloyd starring as a poor boy named Harold Meadows, apprentice to his tailor uncle. He is so shy around women that he stutters terribly in their presence with only stopping the stutter when his uncle blows a whistle. However, even though he knows nothing about dating(!) – he writes a book on how to woo different types of women. He calls it The Secret of Making Love (What!?) and attempts to get it published. On that premise, the comedy begins, as the publisher decides to publish it as a parody, unbeknownst to him! Along the way, he meets a rich girl, Mary Buckingham played by Jobyna Ralston. His publishing experiences and his efforts to win the girl make for a hilarious adventure.
Silent Movies With Walt Strony has become a very popular addition to the arts/entertainment scene here in Western Nevada County, and draws audiences from all over.
Walt Strony
“When we started doing silent movies at Peace, I had no idea how popular they might be,” said Strony. “We’ve evolved to the point where we have regular fans and some people even request certain films! We are also seeking sponsors to help us with the expenses presenting future films.”
“My interest in accompanying silent films started when I was a child and had my first silent film experience. Over the years, I studied and hob-knobbed with some of the original master silent film players. My goal is to provide an accurate experience of how these silent films were presented originally. If you’ve never seen a silent film with live accompaniment, it will be a revelation”.
Strony is an inductee into the American Theater Organ Society Hall of Fame and is the only living two-time winner of the ATOS Organist of the Year Award. Beginning his public career at the age of 18, this year Strony is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of his professional career. He has performed around the world in a variety of venues from London’s Southwark Cathedral to New York’s Radio City Music Hall. He will perform on Peace’s blended digital/pipe organ, which he had a hand in designing. It’s a versatile organ that includes sounds from many different types of organs from the baroque, romantic and even the Mighty Wurlitzer.
There is no charge for the event; however, donations to the non-profit Arts@Peace fund will be welcomed. A wine and cheese reception in Peace’s beautiful Fellowship Center will follow the film showing. Doors will open at 3:30pm.
Peace Lutheran Church is located at 828 W. Main Street just up the hill from Historic Downtown Grass Valley. Arts@Peace offers high-quality, free cultural events to Western Nevada County. For more information visit www.PeaceLutheranGV.org or call (530) 273-9631.
Picture courtesy of Peace Lutheran Church. Ad as appeared in the Motion Picture News/Wikipedia
PRESS RELEASE – PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH
Media Contact: Carrie McDowall, (916) 761-9202 or carriemct@gmail.com
More Info: www.PeaceLutheranGV.org or (530) 273-9631