Silent Movie with Walt Strony on the Organ
Sunday, August 30, 4:00 pm
Followed by refreshments in the fellowship center
The film was a box office hit and served as Bow’s star vehicle, turning her into one of the most popular actresses of the era. It popularized the concept of the “it girl”, with the term “it” defined in the opening as the “quality possessed by some which draws all others with its magnetic force.” The story was written and the film produced in part by Elinor Glyn. For silent film buffs, IT was thought to be lost until the 1960’s when a nitrate copy was found in Prague.
This silent film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”. The story centers around Bow as salesclerk Betty Lou Spence, in the “world’s largest store,” who sets her sights on the heir to the new manager of the establishment, Cyrus Waltham Jr. played by Antonio Moreno. However, there is a large difference in social class and Cyrus is already involved with socialite Adela Van Norman. Betty Lou is noticed by Monty, a friend of Cyrus, and she uses Monty as a conduit to Cyrus. Betty Lou is able to get a date with Cyrus to Coney Island, which he thoroughly enjoys, but ends with Cyrus’ attempted kiss and a slap. With Monty again in the middle, there is a huge misunderstanding involving Betty Lou’s roommate, a baby, and the offer of an arrangement that highly offends Betty Lou. With the assistance of Monty, Betty Lou sets out to teach Cyrus a lesson on a yachting excursion he is hosting which is also attended by socialite Adela. What follows is drama as only a silent movie with live organ can portray. Movie production before sound relied on a live organist playing dramatic background music and sound effects.
There was no original score produced for IT; the accompanying music and effects will be personally written and performed live by Walt Strony. IT will be an exciting opportunity to hear Strony and theatre organ at its most dramatic. Please plan to attend—and tell your friends and neighbors!