Museum of the Moving Image Screens SPEEDY With John Bengtson, 10/16

With his wonderful books on Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, John Bengtson created an exciting new form of urban archeology by extensively researching the locations in which silent films were photographed. His latest book, Silent Visions: Discovering Early Hollywood and New York through the Films of Harold Lloyd, includes an extensive chapter on Lloyd's classic 1928 comedy Speedy, which co-stars Babe Ruth, and was filmed on locations throughout Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx, from Coney Island to Yankee Stadium.

On Sunday, October 16, 2011, at 3:00 p.m., Museum of the Moving Image will present a special program, "Slapstick on the Streets of New York." Speedy will be presented in a beautifully restored 35mm print and with live accompaniment by noted silent film composer Donald Sosin, following a presentation by Bengtson. Using a trove of photos, he will show Lloyd's film locations, as they looked in 1928 and as they are today. As film historIan Leonard Maltin wrote, "John Bengtson has done it again: Part detective, part historian, this dedicated silent-film enthusiast has opened a window to the past for all of us."

"This will be an unforgettable afternoon for anybody who loves New York City, silent movies, baseball, or live music," said David Schwartz, the Museum's Chief Curator.

After the program, there will be a book signing of Bengtson's Silent Visions in the Museum store. Tickets for the screening and presentation are free with Museum admission and will be available first-come, first-served on the day of the event. Museum members may reserve tickets by calling 718 777 6800.

Speedy (dir. Ted Wilde, 1928, 85 mins.) follows Harold Lloyd as a New York Yankees-obsessed taxi driver who picks up Babe Ruth as a passenger and has to race across the city to get him to the game on time.

 

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