The Grand Rapids Arts Council is excited to announce that a silent movie will be presented in the air-conditioned Historic Town Hall on Saturday, July 9 as part of the village’s Rapids Rally Days celebration. “The Cameraman” starring Buster Keaton will be shown at 7 p.m. accompanied by Lynne Long on piano.
Keaton (1895-1966) learned the art of comedy growing up performing with his parents in vaudeville shows. A highlight involved his father Joe throwing his son across the stage. This is how Buster got his stage name. It also prepared him for his own stunt work in movies. In “The Cameraman,” Keaton first appears as an itinerant sidewalk photographer, but he yearns for the chance to become a newsreel cameraman for MGM. And there is always a beautiful woman he wants to impress! Driven by love, the hero overcomes klutziness, faces adversity, finds courage, and employs ingenuity, but will he win the girl? Keaton’s physical comedy and deadpan expressions, along with his great rapport with the street monkey Josephine, produce a dynamic story that you have to experience yourself.
Pianist Lynne Long has become well-known in the area for her musical interpretation of silent movies. Her sense of humor (often a little skewed) and collection of 70 tunes from many genres will keep the audience entertained at this family-friendly movie. Admission is a freewill offering to the Grand Rapids Arts Council and will be used to keep GRAC activities alive and well in the Otsego Community.
