Category Archives: Scott Lasky

Evening of Classic Silent Film Comedies

FPO flyer Mar 16 2019An Evening of

Classic Silent Film Comedies

March 16th, 2019
Burbank, California


Famous Players Orchestra will present An Evening of Classic Silent Film Comedies,  featuring the silent comedies of Laurel and HardyMonty Banks and Ben Turpin.

Hand-cranked by Joe Rinaudo and accompanied by Scott Lasky on piano. Program introduced by film historian, Stan Taffel. All films screened in 35mm.

March 16th, 2019
Doors open at 6:45 p.m.
Showtime is 7:00 p.m.

Christ Lutheran Church
2400 West Burbank Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91506

Program includes a 30 minute intermission. Concessions for sale. 

$10 admission

Order Tickets HereBUY TICKETS HERE

 

This event will be a special fundraiser to benefit 
The Famous Players Orchestra.
About Famous Players Orchestra


NETHERCUTT CANCELLED

There will be no Silent Cinema shows at the Nethercutt until October 2019 due to refurbishment.


 

Jan. 13 Fundraiser in Burbank, CA

Attend Our Special Fundraiser Evening to Benefit Famous Players Orchestra’s Recording Project

Help the Famous Players Orchestra complete their new CD:

“Music of the Silent Cinema”

Share your love of silent films and the great historic orchestral film music of the silent era! Join us for a fun-filled evening which will include a screening of rare silent films featuring:

• Mary Pickford
• Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy
• John Bunny
• Windsor McCay
• Edgar Bergen
• Clara Kimball Young
• Billy Gilbert
• Edgar Kennedy

Silent Auction

The evening will also include a silent auction featuring:
• Movie Memorabilia
• Original Movie Posters
• Original Artwork
• DVDs
• BluRay
• And more!

Place your bid on a variety of fabulous auction items while supporting a great cause! Your generosity will help FPO as they endeavor to preserve this charming, long-forgotten music for future generations to enjoy! All proceeds will go directly toward completing production of the CD.

Your Master of Ceremonies will be film historian, Stan Taffel. Musical accompaniment will feature Scott Lasky on piano.

 

LOCATION:
Christ Lutheran Church
2400 W. Burbank Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91506

TIME:
Doors open at 6:15 p.m.
Event starts at 7:00 p.m.

ADMISSION:
$10 suggested donation

Famous Players Orchestra is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is dedicated to performing and recording this charming and long forgotten music. For their repertoire, Famous Players Orchestra draws upon historic orchestrations used by movie theater orchestras of the silent era, and performs this music in programs as accompaniment to live screenings of silent era films. Through live concert performances and recordings, Famous Players Orchestra endeavors to revive and preserve this significant chapter in cinema history. The ensemble is comprised of professional musicians based in the Los Angeles area.

Packed House! Buster Keaton & Live Orchestra

Video courtesy of Stan Taffel, the evening’s Master of Ceremonies.

What happens when you combine a live orchestra with a silent film? A packed house! Over 300 people showed up, and we had to open up the balcony. There was laughter, applause, and excitement throughout the entire show. 

As Bob Duncan says, “An impressive evening in every way—the orchestra’s score was in sync with the film from beginning to end and definitely enhanced the audience’s enjoyment and the film print was crystal clear. A memorable evening that all the participants can be very proud of.”

The show included a couple cartoons and the popular “Steamboat Bill Jr.” starring Buster Keaton; hand-cranked on a Power’s 1909 Cameragragh Model 6 Motion Picture Machine by Joe Rinaudo; and accompanied by the Famous Players Orchestra, scored and conducted by Scott Lasky. Stan Taffel served as Master of Ceremonies and Shane Glander projected the glass lantern slides.

In addition to the silent cinema and live orchestra, there was a raffle of original Disney artwork, hot dogs, refreshments, and of course popcorn. 

Famous Players Orchestra Board of Directors

Famous Players Orchestra Board of Directors

The evening was an overwhelming success. As Mr. Taffel says, “It’s an honor to be involved with Famous Players Orchestra and to serve on the board of directors with Scott Lasky, Joe Rinaudo, Joni Varner, Gary Lacher, Gary Gibson, Paul Butler, and Dean Mora.”

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