Marietta, Ga. (January 17, 2012) —The Strand kicks off its second season of silent films on Sunday, January 29th at 3pm with Sparrows, a classic tale of escape and rescue set in rural Louisiana, accompanied by Strand Organist Ron Carter.
In the tradition of silent film theatre, Ron Carter, Strand organist, will play live accompaniment along with the film. There will be an organ pops preshow and sing-a-long at 2:30pm.
“In today’s society we are so caught up in multi-tasking. We are on our cell phones, watching TV, on the computer- all at the same time. We have lost what it means to be absorbed into one experience. With a silent film you have to watch every nuance, every facial expression, every lighting effect, the words on the screen, and listen to the musical themes,” says Ron Carter, who will be accompanying Sparrows. “So many people come up to me after the film ends and exclaim that they had no idea what a wonderful experience it is to be a part of a silent film screening with live theatre organ accompaniment.”
Sparrows (1926) stars the Oscar winning Mary Pickford as Molly, a teenage girl forced to care for unwanted and lost children on a “baby farm” in Louisiana run by the cruel and villainous caretaker, Mr. Grimes. When Grimes gets on the wrong side of the law by kidnapping a child from a wealthy family, he throws the kidnapped child into the swamp surrounding the farm. Molly hears of this and escapes with the children through the alligator infested swamp. What follows is a harrowing and emotionally charged journey to safety through the wilderness of the deep south in what critics call Mary Pickford’s best performance.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $7 for seniors, students, and military.
The historic Earl Smith Strand Theatre is a multi-use performing arts and events facility. The theatre is governed by the Friends of The Strand, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and depends on the financial support of private and corporate donors. It is The Strand’s mission to serve the community with cultural entertainment for a diverse audience and to promote economic health in the City of Marietta and Cobb County. For more information or tickets, visit www.EarlSmithStrand.org or the Box Office at 770-293-0080 or 117 North Park Square, Marietta, 30060. The Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 12 PM; 1 PM to 4 PM; and two hours before the show.