12.5.09: Discover Silent Films
Tribeca Kids Club celebrates the hilarious antics of Buster Keaton's amazing deadpan face and physical comedy on the big screen—complete with live piano accompaniment!
10:30 am: The Playhouse and The Electric House (ages 3+)
Note: The 10:30 event will take place at Tribeca Cinemas, 54 Varick Street (one block south of Canal Street). Click for a map.
1:30 pm: The General (ages 7+)
Note: The 1:30 event will take place at Tribeca Screening Room, 375 Greenwich Street (between N. Moore and Franklin). (See map.)
December 5, 10:30 am
(Ages 3+)
The Play House
(1921) 22 min.
directed by Buster Keaton
The Electric House
(1922) 19 min.
directed by Buster Keaton and Edward F. Cline
A special selection of shorts written, directed and starring Buster Keaton: The Play House (1921) and The Electric House (1922). In the hilarious The Play House, Keaton plays everyone in a theatre simultaneously (through multiple exposures). The Electric House is described as one of Keaton's best shorts.
In true 1920's style, both screenings will be introduced and accompanied by a live pianist, Ben Model. Ben has been accompanying silent films on piano and theatre organ for MoMA for a quarter of a century. Earlier this year he co-curated MoMA's "Cruel and Unusual Comedy" slapstick film series, and in 2006 he co-curated their 2-month Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle retrospective. Ben is a regular accompanist at the annual "Silent Film Days" festival in Norway, "Slapsticon" in Arlington, VA, the "Fall Cinesation" in Massillon, OH, and an ongoing silent film series at the Cinema Arts Centre on Long Island. Ben also travels around the U.S. presenting silent films at universities, churches, museums and historic theaters.
Note: This event will take place at Tribeca Cinemas, 54 Varick Street. Click for a map.
December 5, 1:30 pm
(Ages 7+)
The General
(1926) 75 min.
dir. Buster Keaton and Clyde Bruckman
The General (1926) Written and directed by Buster Keaton and Clyde Bruckman, The General is regarded by some as the greatest of all silent comedies and was Keaton’s own personal favorite. Raiload engineer Johnny Gray (Keaton) is rejected by the Confederate Army and by his sweetheart, Annabelle (Marion Mack). But when Northern spies kidnap both Annabelle and The General (his beloved train engine), it sets in motion cinema’s most perfectly structured comic epic. Keaton gave this movie his all and without stunt doubles executes some of the most breathtaking stunts and ingenious gags ever put on film.
In true 1920's style, both screenings will be introduced and accompanied by a live pianist, Ben Model. Ben has been accompanying silent films on piano and theatre organ for MoMA for a quarter of a century. Earlier this year he co-curated MoMA's "Cruel and Unusual Comedy" slapstick film series, and in 2006 he co-curated their 2-month Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle retrospective. Ben is a regular accompanist at the annual "Silent Film Days" festival in Norway, "Slapsticon" in Arlington, VA, the "Fall Cinesation" in Massillon, OH, and an ongoing silent film series at the Cinema Arts Centre on Long Island. Ben also travels around the U.S. presenting silent films at universities, churches, museums and historic theaters.
Note: This event will take place at Tribeca Screening Room, 375 Greenwich Street (between N. Moore and Franklin). (See map.)
Click here to join the Tribeca Cinemas Kids Club Mailing List.
TC Kids Club Upcoming Events
12.05.09: Discover Silent Films
12.19.09: A Holiday Celebration
01.09.10: Oui! Oui! Shorts from France
01.23.10: Magical Friends Lamb Chop & E.T.
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