Take a trip down memory lane with an organ-accompanied showcase of a silent comedy movie in one of Dundee’s most iconic venues.
The event, on November 11, is a unique opportunity to enjoy Harold Lloyd’s Speedy, while the magnificent sounds of the organ swirl and reverberate around the Caird Hall.
Organised by The Friends of the Caird Hall Organ, accompaniment on the instrument, which has the reputation of being one of the finest organs in Scotland, will be improvised by the hugely talented Richard Hills.
Lloyd’s last
Speedy, released in 1928, was Lloyd’s last silent comedy and is one of his funniest and most exciting.
In an affectionate tribute to New York, Lloyd plays Harold “Speedy” Smith, who tries to save the city’s last horse-drawn tramcar from the clutches of a ruthless railroad magnate.
Thrill-packed
Featuring a thrill-packed sequence at the Coney Island funfair, a hair-raising chase through the bustling streets of Manhattan and even a cameo by the legendary baseball star of the New York Yankees, “Babe” Ruth, the Academy Award-nominated film evokes the frenetic atmosphere of the Roaring 20s.
It also showcases why Harold Lloyd was one of the most popular comedy stars of the silent movie era.
Theatre organist
Organ virtuoso Richard Hills, meanwhile, is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s leading contemporary theatre organists.
He is also one of the very few musicians to have mastered the divide between the classical and theatre organ.
He has numerous prizes and awards to his credit, both in the UK and in the USA, where he was named Organist of the Year in 2010 by the American Theatre Organ Society.
Night to remember
Friends of the Caird Hall Organ founding chairman Jim McKellican promises a night to remember.
“Having shown both comic and serious silent movies in the past, the impression from audience feedback is that comedies were more welcome,” explains Jim.
“This ties up with the need to boost spirits at this time of year when people start rushing about to get on with the Christmas shopping and anxiety levels soar.
“What better than an old black-and-white comedy movie to enjoy and relax in a ‘used to be’ setting?”
Caird Hall organ
The organ, one of Dundee’s cultural jewels, was designed by blind organist Alfred Hollins and installed in 1923.
“Putting on Speedy marks the return of the very popular Silent Movie Night hosted by the Friends as part of their demonstration of the versatility of the historic Harrison & Harrison organ,” says Jim, who is the current appeals officer and archivist for the Friends.
The instrument has been acclaimed as one of the world’s outstanding concert hall organs. It fits perfectly with the scale of the hall itself, designed by the city architect James Thomson and renowned for its marvellous acoustics.
The organ was restored by its original builders in 1991. The Friends is a charity that aims to increase the instrument’s profile and to provide financial support that will help secure its long-term future.
The hotly-anticipated silent movie event begins at 7.30pm on Friday November 11.
- For tickets and more information see dundeebox.co.uk
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