Silent Movie Mondays at the Orpheum
Enjoy Silent Movie Mondays at the Orpheum theatre, May 1, June 5, and July 10, 2023!
This spring and summer, escape to the fabulous 1920s silent film era at the opulent and historic Orpheum theatre. Vancouver Civic Theatres’ nostalgic new series, Silent Movie Mondays, features screenings of popular productions from the roaring twenties paired with live music played on the Orpheum’s Wurlitzer pipe organ – an instrument originally developed to accompany silent films. The Orpheum’s Wurlitzer, one of only 12 worldwide, is the last in Canada that still performs in its original home.
Three screenings will unfold in the Orpheum’s stunning domed auditorium: A centennial celebration of Safety Last (1923) on May 1, The General (1926) on June 5, and Charlie Chaplin Shorts (1916-1917) on July 10. Following each show, Vancouver Film School instructor Keith Blackmore will host a lively discussion about the movie and the role of silent films in the evolution of film history.
The first show on the lineup, Safety Last, will be introduced by a special guest—Suzanne Lloyd, granddaughter of the film’s lead actor Harold Lloyd, who is widely considered among the most influential comedians of the silent film era.
The plotline of Safety Last follows a boy (Lloyd) who moves to New York City in an effort to earn enough money to support his girlfriend (Mildred Davis), but soon discovers that making it in the big city is harder than it looks. When he hears that a store manager will pay $1,000 to anyone who can draw people to his store, Lloyd enlists his friend (Bill Strother) to climb the building as a PR stunt and split the profits. But when his pal gets in trouble with the law, Lloyd must complete the crazy stunt on his own.
When Safety Last first hit Hollywood screens a century ago, audiences reportedly covered their eyes – and some even fainted – at the jaw-dropping sight of Lloyd dangling from a clock on the side of a high-rise building. It would later be considered one of the most iconic images from the era and, according to the New York Times, “the movie stunt that led to the cliffhanging, skyscraper-loving action hero of today.”
The second film, The General, follows hapless railroad engineer Johnny Gray (Buster Keaton) as he faces off against Union soldiers during the American Civil War. The tale begins when Johnny’s fiancée, Annabelle Lee (Marion Mack), is accidentally kidnapped on a train stolen by Northern.
Finally, Charlie Chaplin Shorts features some of the famed actor-filmmaker-composer’s best works, in which he both starred and directed. Made for the Mutual Film Corporation, The Pawn Shop, The Rink, and The Immigrant were films that helped Chaplin perfect what would become the trademark themes and techniques of his career.
Tickets start at $15.50! Buy tickets and learn more at through Vancouver Civic Theatres online.
Vancouver Civic Theatres gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.
Enter to Win
Visit our Facebook page for a chance to win tickets (and more) for Safety Last at the Orpheum on May 1st.
