Houdini: The Grim Game

Harry Houdini

The Grim Game

Friday, May 3, 2019 at 8:00 PM
Sierra Madre Playhouse


87 W Sierra Madre Blvd.
Sierra Madre, California 91024
(626) 355-4318

TICKETS & MORE INFO


In collaboration with the Catalina Island Museum and in celebration of its own beginnings as a silent movie house, the Sierra Madre Playhouse is proud to present a screening of the recently rediscovered Houdini silent film, The Grim Game

Everyone is invited to step back into 1919 — one hundred years ago — and see this lost classic as it was meant to be seen, with live accompaniment by the doyen of silent film musicians, Michael Mortilla, and violinist Nicole Garcia. This exciting event will be introduced by Houdini expert John Cox (www.wildabouthoudini.com). Michael will talk about the importance of music in the silent era. 
 
The Grim Game is a silent drama that showcases Houdini’s astonishing, world-famous talents as an escapologist, stunt performer and aviator. The film presents a series of Houdini’s trademark stunts and escapes and builds to an airplane pursuit climaxed by a mid-air collision.
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The film was considered lost for decades until it was rediscovered, restored and shown in 2015. It’s a fascinating cinematic record, revealing the reason that Houdini was one of the biggest stars of the early 20th century. 

Now, for one night only, travel in time with us back in the Playhouse’s history and see this recently rediscovered classic at Sierra Madre Playhouse!
 



Evening of Classic Silent Film Comedies

FPO flyer Mar 16 2019An Evening of

Classic Silent Film Comedies

March 16th, 2019
Burbank, California


Famous Players Orchestra will present An Evening of Classic Silent Film Comedies,  featuring the silent comedies of Laurel and HardyMonty Banks and Ben Turpin.

Hand-cranked by Joe Rinaudo and accompanied by Scott Lasky on piano. Program introduced by film historian, Stan Taffel. All films screened in 35mm.

March 16th, 2019
Doors open at 6:45 p.m.
Showtime is 7:00 p.m.

Christ Lutheran Church
2400 West Burbank Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91506

Program includes a 30 minute intermission. Concessions for sale. 

$10 admission

Order Tickets HereBUY TICKETS HERE

 

This event will be a special fundraiser to benefit 
The Famous Players Orchestra.
About Famous Players Orchestra


NETHERCUTT CANCELLED

There will be no Silent Cinema shows at the Nethercutt until October 2019 due to refurbishment.


 

Joe CRANKS UP the Oscars

The Academy Awards listened to its audience and decided after all to give credit where credit is due: to those who make cinema the exciting and stunning medium that it is.

On February 12 the Academy announced it would not show four award categories to home viewers (to be presented during commercials at the event) in order to trim the show to a shorter length of time:

  • Cinematography
  • Editing
  • Live Action Short
  • Makeup & Hair

There was quite an uproar—read these tweets, some of which are quite funny—which lead to the Academy to reverse its decision and include all the awards in the telecast.


CLICK HERE
for a COMPLETE LIST of the 2019 OSCAR NOMINEES


As Alfonso Cuarón, who is nominated for producing, directing, writing & cinematography for his film Roma, said on Twitter:

In the history of CINEMA, masterpieces have existed without sound, without color, without a story, without actors & without music. No one single film has ever existed without CINEMAtography & without editing.

That pretty much describes Silent Cinema, doesn’t it? No sound, no color, sometimes no plot…but always cinema.


Here’s a poster paying tribute to Cinematography & Editing…and the ampersand, stylized here in the tradition of classic movie title lettering. You can view a full-size version to download and print, at AmperArt.com.

#141 Cinematography & Editing

To see full size, and download for printing and framing, visit AmperArt.com


Did you see Joe Rinaudo cranking his 1909 Powers Cameragraph at last year’s Oscars? Here are some scenes:

Next is Gary Oldman cranking Joe’s vintage Powers Moving Picture Machine:


CLICK HERE
for a COMPLETE LIST of the 2019 OSCAR NOMINEES


Enjoy the Show

 

Preserving Silent Cinema Art and Technology