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Live music by Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra
King Vidor’s charming satire of Hollywood in the twenties stars the irrepressible Marion Davies as Peggy Pepper from Georgia who moves west to be in the movies. Peggy gets her start in slapstick but soon enough is signed to the prestigious High Art studio where she becomes “Patricia Peppoire” and takes herself a bit too seriously. In some behind-the-scenes maneuvering, William Randolph Hearst used his influence with studio head Louis B. Mayer to nix Vidor’s planned pie in the face for Davies. Hearst never properly appreciated her natural comedic style, but even without the benefit of custard pie, Davies gets the laugh.
Free admittance for children under 12
Live Music by Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra
A chamber ensemble that revives the tradition of silent-film orchestras, Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra culls historic libraries of music for its live musical accompaniments. Together, musicians Rodney Sauer, Britt Swenson, David Short, Brian Collins, and Dawn Kramer have recorded and toured widely, creating vibrant, emotional, and historically appropriate scores for more than 125 films. Officially formed in 1994 after discovering the music collection of a 1920s-era theater music director, the ensemble combines precision playing with expert selections to bring silent cinema to life.
Image credit: Pamela Gentile
Details
Director
King Vidor
Country
United States
Year
1928
Cast
Marion Davies, William Haines, Dell Henderson, with cameos by Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, William S. Hart, and John Gilbert
Runtime
79 min
Print Source
Library of Congress
Format
35mm