Recreating the small local orchestras in America from 1890 to 1930, the days before the "talkies," this five-piece chamber ensemble plays live to silent film. One of the most beautiful films of all time, in Sunrise George O'Brien and Janet Gaynor make a fantastic trip to the city to rebuild their destroyed marriage. Combining the artistic approach of German Expressionism with the romance and comedy of Hollywood, Sunrise won a special Academy Award for most artistic production. This is one in a series curated by Mick Ranney.
Footprints Silent Film Series at the Lawrence Arts Center
The last decade has brought a resurgence of interest in silent film as an art form. Though many great films from that era are lost to history, there remains a rich variety of films available. They are especially wonderful to view if seen with live musical accompaniment as they were originally intended. Festivals for silent films have popped up in various cities across the country. Topeka and Iola both have wonderful festivals. Mick Ranney, owner of Footprints, loved attending the festivals in Topeka and Iola and wondered “why doesn’t Lawrence have something like that?” Footprints has joined forces with KTWU, KPR and the Lawrence Arts Center to produce periodic silent films with some of the best musical groups in the country. We hope you can attend these special events.
