Silent films return for ‘Mirthquake’

Friday, October 16, 2009

MANCHESTER – The great comedians who showed early movie audiences how to laugh are returning to the big screen this weekend during Mirthquake, a four-day festival devoted to celebrating vintage film comedy in local theaters in Manchester, Keene, Wilton and Concord.

The festival, which began Thursday, runs through Sunday and includes screenings of great silent comedies starring pioneer funnymen Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd and others.

“We invite the public to see these great comedies, which helped audiences first fall in love with the movies,” said Jeff Rapsis, festival co-organizer and musical accompanist for the silent films. “These films are cinematic treasures that come to life when shown in the environment for which they were designed: on the big screen, in a real theater, with live music and with an audience.”

Also featured will be programs of rarely seen films that remain proven laugh-getters, including a scarce W.C. Field silent feature and a pair of comedies starring now-forgotten star Raymond Griffith, who attended St. Anselm College in Goffstown before hitting it big in Hollywood.

“Adam Sandler wasn’t the first movie star from the local area to conquer the movies,” Rapsis said. “Raymond Griffith was incredibly popular during the early days of the movies. He’s unknown today because most of his silent films are lost. But two of his best comedies survive, and we’re pleased to present them to the public on the campus of his alma mater, St. Anselm College, as part of this year’s Mirthquake.”

It’s the third year that Mirthquake has presented a series of vintage comedies in southern New Hampshire for local residents and visiting film buffs alike. It’s the largest vintage film event in New England. All events are open to the public; some screenings are free; others carry an admission charge.

The complete schedule of screenings is online at www.mirthquakenh.com. Highlights of this year include:

8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16: “Buster Keaton, Accidental Genius.” See how Keaton, the legendary stone-faced comedian, created laughter almost by accident. The feature is “Seven Chances” (1925) in a 16mm print with restored technicolor sequence. Plus short films including “The Garage” (1920) and “Cops” (1922). Program accompanied by live music. Red River Theatres, 11 S. Main St., Concord. www.redrivertheatres.org, $15.

8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17: Homecoming Double Feature, “Raymond Griffith, Local Hero.” Celebrate the forgotten silent film comedy genius of Griffith, who attended St. Anselm prep school. Griffith’s films remain outstanding in their ability to produce audience laughter. Features are “Paths to Paradise” (1925) and “Hands Up!” (1926), plus introductions from guest film historians. Program accompanied by live music. The Dana Center for the Humanities, St. Anselm College, Goffstown. www.anselm.edu/dana. $7.

Noon Sunday, Oct. 18: “W.C. Fields As You’ve Never Seen Him.” Before Fields made his classic talkies, the ascerbic curmudgeon starred in a series of popular silent comedies. The feature is “Running Wild” (1927), plus short films and live music. The Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester. www.palace theatre.org. $8.

4:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18: “Chaplin, the All-Time Audience Favorite.” The feature is “The Kid” (1921) starring Charlie Chaplin and Jackie Coogan, plus selected short films with introductions from guest film historians. Program accompanied by live music. The Wilton Town Hall Theatre, Main Street, Wilton. www. wiltontownhalltheatre.com. $5.

Mirthquake also encompasses three days of daytime screenings of classic short comedies at the Manchester Public Library. The daytime shows are free and open to the public.

Show times are: 9 a.m.-noon Thursday and 9 a.m.-noon and 2-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Screenings are in the auditorium of the Manchester Public Library, 405 Pine St.