Silent Movie Fest

Running time: N/A

The Stanford Theatre Foundation and Cinequest present silent films at the California Theatre.

A TRIBUTE TO HAROLD LLOYD ? SILENT MAVERICK ? A spectacular double feature at the California Theatre, where audiences will be captivated by the Harold Lloyd masterpieces Safety Last and Movie Crazy. Lloyd's granddaughter, Suzanne Lloyd, will attend to talk with audiences about the work of her master comedian grandfather. Films will be accompanied by the entrancing sounds of the California Theatre organ.

Safety Last (1923)

Harold scales a skyscraper (and winds up dangling from a clock) to win $1000. Safety Last has proven to be by far the most popular silent film at the Stanford Theatre. Thousands have seen it! With Harold Lloyd, Mildred Davis, Noah Young. Directed by Sam Taylor, Fred Newmeyer. Produced by Harold Lloyd. Hal Roach Studios. 90 minutes.

Movie Crazy (1932)

Widely considered Harold Lloyd's best sound effort, Movie Crazy offers a fascinating behind-the-camera look at the studio system in the early days of talkies. Lloyd plays a movie-struck Kansas boy, who, through a mix-up, is invited to come to Hollywood to make a screen test. With Harold Lloyd, Constance Cummings. Directed by Clyde Bruckman. Produced by Harold Lloyd. 82 minutes.

DOUBLE FEATURE OF SILENT CINEMA ? A mesmerizing double feature of Cecil B. Demille's Carmen (1915), starring Geraldine Ferrar, and King Vidor's La Bohème (1926), starring the ?first lady of silent screen? Lillian Gish. Films will be accompanied by the entrancing sounds of the California Theatre organ.

Carmen (1915)

Geraldine Farrar was a major opera star when director Cecil B. DeMille approached her to recreate on film her role as the fiery temptress Carmen. Farrar gives a performance that is earthy and heartless. Her Carmen proves a worthy precursor to the film noir heroines of the 1940s as she remorselessly leads Don Jose to his death. This was Farrar's first film, and its tremendous success ensured her an ironic career as a silent film star. With Geraldine Farrar, Wallace Reid, Pedro De Cardoba, William Elmer, Horace B. Carpenter, Jeanie Macpherson, Anita King, Milton Brown. Directed and produced by Cecil B. DeMille. Paramount Pictures. 5 reels (approx 1 hour).

La Bohème (1926)

The story of struggling artists living (and dying) in the garrets of Paris. Lillian Gish's performance as Mimi is beautifully sensitive and nuanced, while co-star Gilbert's is more passionate and flamboyant. Lillian Gish made her first film in 1912, and for many years worked exclusively for director D.W. Griffith, who helped guide her to become the ?First Lady of the Silent Screen.? She left Griffith in 1926 for MGM, where she had the right to approve her picture, director, co-star and cameraman. La Bohème was her first film under this contract, and proved to be a great commercial success. Gish continued to act through the 1980s. With Lillian Gish, John Gilbert, George Hassell, Roy D?Arcy, Edward Everett Horton. Directed by King Vidor. 101 minutes.