Silent Movies

Last night Hutch and I went to the Organ Loft aka Edison Street. It is located off of 33rd south and just east of State Street. A few times a month they play silent films and have a real pipe organ accompany the film.

The first organ was in 1946 the Utah Theatre's Robert Morton. Later additions included the organs from SLC's Gem Theatre and Ogden's Egyptian Theatre. Finally they purchased the 3 manual-19 rank Wurlitzer with two consoles from the New York Staten Island Paramount. The owner of the Organ Loft, Lawrence Bray, then combined the two consoles to build the organ they use today. A Colossus five keyboard console with 378 stop tabs, which controls today's 2,400 highly unified pipes. After Lawrence's passing, his nephew, Larry Bray, continues this historical treasure.

Last night they played the film "Nosferatu" It has been called "A Symphony of Terror". It's the first and best telling of the Dracula tale. I guess I can't really say it's the best telling since I haven't really seen any Dracula movies. The Organ Loft's program says it's the best telling so I'll go off of what they say. It was made it 1922. When the film first came out, Bram Stoker's widow sued the film company for creating it without permission. The case didn't end until 1924 so it was too late to stop distributing since it had already been sent around the world over that two year time. It was a fun night. The film was actually kind of funny since silent film acting is way different then acting we have today. The vampire was really creepy though. He had long pointy fingers and a pale white face. He also had a pointy nose and his teeth came over his bottom lip. His eyes were dark and sunken. The actor did a great job with that character. The person who played the organ to the movie impressed me the most. He makes up the music as he goes. There's no set score. He says he gets the feeling of the room and it guides him to play the music. He did such a great job!!! I was impressed.

If you ever get a chance to go to Edison Street (aka The Organ Loft - the sign on the side of the building says Edison Street) go and see a great silent film. It cost's $5 a person. The seating isn't like a normal theatre. It's just chairs they place facing the organ and the film plays above the organ. The next film they are doing is "The Phantom of the Opera" starring Lon Chaney. They will be playing that film October 22, 23 & 24 at 7:30 p.m. get there a bit early to get a good seat. You can call ahead for tickets by calling 485-9265. If you want to know what films they will be playing in November and December you can go to their website which is http://www.organloftslc.com/.

This is Count Orlock better known as Nosferatu played by Max Schreck. Very creepy!!