1923 | USA | Dirs Fred C. Newmeyer and Sam Taylor | 1:14 | Cert U
Feature film and live music event
We are delighted to welcome Silver Street Films back to SFW for what has become an annual Film Week highlight - classic silent film with a live soundtrack provided by World renowned organist Donald MacKenzie at Southampton's unique Compton Pipe Organ.
This year our classic film is the action comedy Safety Last starring Harold Lloyd with Mildred Davis, Bill Strother, Noah Young and Westcott Clarke.
In 1922, the country boy Harold says goodbye to his mother and his girlfriend Mildred in the train station and leaves Great Bend expecting to be successful in the big city. Harold promises to Mildred to get married with her as soon as he "make good". Harold shares a room with his friend "Limpy" Bill and he finally gets a job as a salesman in the De Vore Department Store. However, he pawns Bill's phonograph, buys a lavaliere and writes to Mildred telling that he is a manager of De Vore. One day, Harold sees an old friend from Great Bend that is a policeman and when he meets his friend Bill, he asks Bill to push the policeman over him and make him fall down. However Bill pushes the wrong policeman that chases him, but he escapes climbing up a building. Out of the blue, Mildred is convinced by her mother to visit Harold without previous notice and he pretends to be the manager of De Vore. When Harold overhears the general manager saying that he would give one thousand dollars to to anyone…
“It is by general agreement the most famous shot in silent comedy: a man in a straw hat and round horn-rim glasses, hanging from the minute hand of a clock 12 stories above the city street. Strange, that this shot occurs in a film few people have ever seen.”
The Guildhall Compton Pipe Organ is one of Southampton's greatest hidden treasures. Witness to all the artists, bands, performances and events which have taken place at the 02 Guildhall, the organ pipes wait patiently and quietly above the stage for opportunities such as these when at the hands of the maestro they are brought to life. Our organ in Southampton is wonderful and unique, providing two beautiful walnut consoles - one classic and one theatre, or Variety as it was originally called. The consoles are positioned either side of the stage and like the pipes above the proscenium arch generally go unnoticed.
This event provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the wonder of the silent-age as it would have been experienced at the time Safety Last was produced, whilst enjoying the magnificent Compton Organ and a glimpse of an often over-looked jewel in the City's rich heritage.
is run by film charity Charity Number 1089882
We are delighted, with support of our partners, to present a number of events for free but if you are able to make a donation when purchasing your ticket or attending an event we will be incredibly grateful - and able to sustain City Eye and Southampton Film Week for years to come! Thank you.