Paul Fejos' 1928 part-talkie Lonesome, a tale of love found and lost on one day in New York City, will be screened at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills on Friday, September 14, at 8 p.m. Lonesome will be accompanied by the Alloy Orchestra.
According to the Academy's press release, "the film's stunning views of Coney Island and other Gotham locations will be shown to full advantage in the newly tinted print to be screened courtesy of the George Eastman House and Universal."
Lonesome sounds a bit like F. W. Murnau's Sunrise, released the previous year. The film stars two little-known performers, Glenn Tryon and Barbara Kent (above) — who's to the best of my knowledge still around at the age of 100. I haven't seen Lonesome, but I've heard several other Alloy scores before.
Once again, quoting from the Academy's press release, "the three-man musical ensemble, under the direction of Ken Winokur, frequently uses electronic synthesizers alongside such outrageous objects as musical saws and toilet seats — part of its 'rack of junk' — to create its renowned silent film scores."
Now, while watching my silent movies, I can certainly do without the rhythms of toilet seats. Whenever I listen to the melodious film scores composed in the 1910s and 1920s, I'm reminded of how far off the mark modern composers usually are when scoring silent films. Their work isn't just inadequate; it's a crime against art. Anyhow, here's hoping that this particular musical accompaniment will be faithful to both Lonesome and its era.
Tickets to Lonesome are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members. They may be purchased by mail or at the Academy box office during regular business hours. Tickets also may be purchased online at www.oscars.org/events until noon PDT on the day of the event. There are no minimum order requirements and no transaction or processing fees.
Doors will open at 7 p.m. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The Samuel Goldwyn Theater is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. For additional information, call (310) 247-3600.
Barbara Kent photo: © A.M.P.A.S.
The Silent City: New York in the Movies, 1898-1928
Q&A with NOW PLAYING Author Anthony Slide
San Francisco Silent Film Festival 2007
Indeed Ms. Kent is very much alive and getting ready to celebrate her 102nd Birthday on 12/16/2008!