THE CAMERAMAN and The Orpheum's Mighty Wurlitzer Kicks Off Summer Movie Series

Step back in time to the Roaring '20s as The Orpheum Theatre kicks off its 85th Anniversary Summer Movie Series with Buster Keaton's silent comedy classic, THE CAMERAMAN on Friday, June 7 at 7:00 PM. Pre-movie events include Happy Half-Hour drink specials from 6:00 to 6:30 PM immediately followed by "Behind the Screen with Indie Memphis."

THE CAMERAMAN will feature live accompaniment by award winning musician Tony Thomas on the Orpheum's Mighty Wurlitzer organ, lovingly named Louise. Thomas will give audiences a rare and exhilarating opportunity to experience the hilarious antics and comedic ambiance of the film expertly conveyed through music.

"We wanted to recreate the 'Old Hollywood' that played such a major role in the Orpheum Theatre's rich history, and that meant presenting a silent film with live music," said Orpheum President and CEO Pat Halloran. "The Orpheum's Mighty Wurlitzer was specifically designed for this theatre. It was created for what is now a lost art of live, impromptu scoring, and we want to show audiences what Louise can really do."

In addition to live accompaniment, Indie Memphis will host the first of its exiting Summer Movie lecture series, "Behind the Screen with Indie Memphis," led by the organization's Executive Director Erik Jambor. Come early to discover what the Hollywood silent film era was really like, experience first-hand the role that music played in silent filmmaking, and learn more about silent film star Buster Keaton.

"We are so excited to kick off the 'Behind the Screen' series with THE CAMERAMAN," said Jambor. "Buster Keaton's comedic style still resonates today, and we are thrilled to play a part in introducing this classic film to a whole new audience."

In this slapstick comedy, THE CAMERAMAN stars famed comedic master Buster Keaton as a bumbling photographer who, in order to win the favor of a beautiful woman, takes a job as a newsreel cameraman. Hilarity ensues as he stumbles through a parade, a Chinese Tong war, a yacht club regatta, a crowded dressing room, and a solo baseball game. The picture also stars Marceline Day and Harold Goodwin. Released in 1928, THE CAMERAMAN shares its anniversary with the historic Orpheum Theatre, which was built in the same year.

The Orpheum Theatre's 2013 Summer Movie Series, presented for a second year by Orion Federal Credit Union, commemorates the theatre's 85th Anniversary with the best-loved films of the past eight decades. The series will run from June to August at the Orpheum Theatre.

Included in the Summer Movie Series are Thursday Night Chick Flicks, Friday Night Classics, and Family Matinees. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Tickets are on sale now and available for purchase online at the official Orpheum Theatre website, www.orpheum-memphis.com, The Orpheum Box Office (901.525.3000), the ticket counter at The Booksellers at Laurelwood, and all Ticketmaster centers (901.743.ARTS).

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