At the Town Hall Theatre in Wilton, N.H., this Sunday marks the end of a journey.
That's because we're running the long-awaited final chapter of 'Officer 444,' a ten-part police adventure serial that we've been screening since January.
And what a long road it's been. Join us as we learn the identity of Officer 444's arch-nemesis, 'The Frog,' and find out how justice will be served. Or something like that.
I have to say: nine chapters into this tale, and it still hasn't made much sense.
But we'll finish it up on Sunday, May 23 as the lead-in to our "pre-Memorial Day weekend" screening of 'Old Ironsides' (1926), a swashbuckling dramatization of the early years of the USS Constitution.
And just doing some math...if the real USS Constitution (still afloat in Charlestown, Mass.) was commissioned in 1797, that means it was 129 years old when this film was released.
And right now, we're 95 years from when 'Old Ironsides' (1926) was released. So it won't be too much longer until we reach the point when this film is closer to the ship's launching than to the present day.
The fun begins at 2 p.m. More info in the press release below. Hope to see you there!
* * *
MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021 / FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Jeff Rapsis • (603) 236-9237 • jeffrapsis@gmail.com
Silent film classic 'Old Ironsides' to screen on Sunday, May 23 at Town Hall Theatre
Sea-faring epic recreates early years of USS Constitution, built to battle pirates; presented with live music
WILTON,
N.H.—Relive the early days of the USS Constitution, when the ship was
launched by a young nation to battle pirates off Africa's Barbary Coast.
'Old
Ironsides' (1926), an epic silent adventure film, will be screened with
live music on Sunday, May 23 at 2 p.m. at the Town Hall Theatre, 40
Main St., Wilton, N.H.
The screening is free to the public; a
donation of $10 per person is suggested to support the Town Hall
Theatre's silent film series.
The Town Hall Theatre continues to
observe procedures to comply with all state and CDC public health
guidelines. Capacity is limited to 50 percent; patrons are required to
maintain social distance and wear masks until seated.
Live music will be provided by Jeff Rapsis, a New Hampshire-based silent film accompanist.
The
film tells the story of the early days of the USS Constitution, which
today is the world's oldest commissioned naval vessel still afloat.
Launched in 1797, she was one of six original frigates authorized by the
Naval Act of 1794 and the third constructed.
Nicknamed 'Old
Ironsides,' she was originally scheduled to be broken up in 1830, the
end of her normal service life. But the ship was saved that year by a
poetic tribute published by Oliver Wendell Holmes. The poem supplied the
story for 'Old Ironsides' nearly a century later.
Directed by
James Cruze, 'Old Ironsides' is an action/adventure film that traces the
story of an early USS Constitution crew member.
The crew member,
a gunner, is shanghaied while ashore in Boston and forced to serve on
another ship, the Esther, a commercial vessel bound for Italy.
Among those on board are a young boy running away from home, and the daughter of the ship's owner.
After
crossing the Atlantic, the Esther is attacked by pirates off the coast
of Algiers in the south Mediterranean Sea, with the crew and passengers
taken captive.
Will the USS Constitution arrive in time to save the ship's daughter from being presented as a gift to a Sultan in Algiers?
The
film, a big-budget extravaganza from Paramount Pictures, boasts an
all-star silent era cast that includes Wallace Beery, George Bancroft,
Charles Farrell, and Esther Ralston. Among the crew members is Boris
Karloff, famous later for his starring role in 'Frankenstein' (1931).
'Old
Ironsides' was filmed at sea off the coast of California's Catalina
Island, using a full-scale replica of the original ship. The movie was
praised for its authenticity and commitment to historical accuracy. Only
a handful of scenes used small-scale models, a rarity for the time.
In
addition to its elaborate battle scenes, the film is notable for its
high quotient of comedy. At the time, Hollywood was first starting to
make motion pictures with stories that delivered all-around
entertainment. Cruze was among the directors becoming adept at
integrating comedy, drama, romance, and action all into one spectacular
audience-pleasing package.
Surprisingly, 'Old Ironsides' sank at
the box office in its original release. Critics praised the film, but
Jazz Age audiences failed to flock to the historic epic, which was
released at the height of the Roaring 1920s.
See the sea-faring epic 'Old Ironsides' (1926) on Sunday, May 23 at 2 p.m. at the Town Hall Theatre, 40 Main St., Wilton, N.H.
The
screening is free to the public; a donation of $10 per person is
suggested to support the Town Hall Theatre's silent film series.
For more information, call (603) 654-3456 or visit www.wiltontownhalltheatre.com.
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