The Stanford Theatre Foundation presents silent films at the California Theatre.
Metropolis (1927)
Directed by Fritz Lang, starring Brigitte Helm, Gustav Froelich, Alfred Abel, Rudolph Klein-Rogge.
March 3rd @ 7:30pm California Theatre ? $10 Ticket includes organ accompaniment by Clark Wilson.
Metropolis, generally considered the first great science fiction movie, is an astonishing triumph of stylized towering sets, idiosyncratic, sometimes overwrought, acting and strange visual beauty that stays with the viewer long after the film has ended. The focus is on this strange world director Fritz Lang has created, not necessarily on plot or character. In the futuristic city of Metropolis, there are two distinct classes: the ruling class who live in luxury in a magnificent city aboveground and the impoverished working class, whose entire monotonous existence is limited to operating the mechanized underground city, which provides power to all of Metropolis. It is a nightmare vision of a modern industrialized society dependent upon technology at the expense of the humanity of the workers. Fritz Lang?s science fiction spectacle of the future is a stunning visual achievement. Lang may have been inspired by a visit to New York City, but the breathtaking cities he created for Metropolis come from his own creative vision. This epitome of German Expressionism remains the archetype for futuristic science fiction films and continues to influence modern filmmakers.
Seven Chances (1925)
Directed by and starring Buster Keaton, with Ruth Dwyer, T. Roy Barnes and Snitz Edwards
March 10th @ 7:30pm California Theatre ? $10 Ticket includes organ accompaniment by Christian Elliott.
Seven Chances was made in the midst of Buster?s greatest artistic decade. Buster is set to inherit $7 million dollars if he marries by 7pm on his 27th birthday?but this news is given to him on that very day. This sets off a series of mishaps as Buster tries to do whatever he can to get a bride to the church on time.
Preceded by the short: One Week (1920)
Written, directed and starring Buster Keaton. With Sybil Seely and Joe Roberts.
Newlyweds attempt to build a do-it-yourself house without much success. This is one of Keaton?s very best short films.