Sierra Madre Playhouse Screens Buster Keaton Silent Film Comedy Sherlock Jr. with Music from R.E.M. Hit Album New Adventures in Hi-Fi, 6/13 at Sierra Madre Playhouse

Sierra Madre Playhouse, in partnership with Silents Synced, pairs Buster Keaton’s hilarious 1924 silent comedy Sherlock Jr. with the atmospheric sounds of R.E.M.’s 1996 hit album "New Adventures in Hi-Fi,” merging vintage cinema and modern rock to create a compelling fusion of past and present. The one-night only screening takes place on Friday, June 13, 2025, 8 pm, at Sierra Madre Playhouse. 

“This innovative and immersive experience reimagines Buster Keaton’s masterful comedy through a contemporary musical lens,” says Matt Cook, Artistic and Executive Director of Sierra Madre Playhouse. “Mash ups of music and silent film breathe new life into classic motion pictures and also build upon Sierra Madre Playhouse’s roots as a silent film house.” 

Sherlock Jr. stars Buster Keaton as a well-intentioned film projectionist and would-be detective who plies his negligeable skills when he gets framed for stealing a pocketwatch from his sweetheart’s father. The Hollywood Reporter declares Keaton “the greatest of all silent film comedian-auteurs.” Sherlock Jr. was selected in 1991 by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry for its historical and cultural significance. 

R.E.M.’s "New Adventures in Hi-Fi,” released in 1996, was named it among the best albums of the year by Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, and Spin. Recorded after the bands’ challenging 1995 world tour, the evocative album reflects the ephemeral aspect of life on the road.  

For tickets ($20) and information, please call 626.355.4318 or visit www.sierramadreplayhouse.org. Sierra Madre Playhouse is located at 87 West Sierra Madre Boulevard, Sierra Madre, CA 91024.