The following is a guest post by Jenny Paxson of the Packard Campus.
Friday, August 16 (7:30 p.m.)
Beverly of Graustark (MGM, 1926)
Marion Davies stars in this romantic comedy as Beverly, an American college girl, who gets talked into masquerading as her cousin, Oscar (Creighton Hale), who happens to be the Prince of Graustark, a small European monarchy. Complications arise when she falls for her bodyguard (Antonio Moreno), a shepherd who rescues the “prince” from an ambush. The film, often cited as Davies’ most profitable, was directed by Sidney Franklin with a screenplay by Agnes Christine Johnston based on one of the Graustark series of novels by George Barr McCutcheon. Also on the program, the two-reel comedy short You’re Darn Tootin’ (1928) starring Laurel and Hardy. Live musical accompaniment will be provided by Ben Model. 35mm archival film print from the Library of Congress Film Preservation Lab in 1978. 70 min.
Saturday, August 17 (2 p.m.)
You’d Be Surprised (Paramount, 1926)
Raymond Griffith, the tuxedoed and top-hatted comedian who delighted silent movie audiences with his quirky plots and witty comedic touch, stars as a coroner detective called to the scene of a murder most foul, which ruins his plans to spend the evening at the theater. When the search for the killer turns out to be more complicated than he had expected, he must use every trick in the book to reveal the culprit. This sophisticated comedy murder mystery was directed by Arthur Rossen and the title cards, written by humorist Robert Benchley, are a particular highlight. Also on the program, the two-reel comedy short Dog Shy (1926) starring Charley Chase. Live musical accompaniment will be provided by Ben Model. 35mm archival film print, 66 min.
Saturday, August 17 (7:30 p.m.)
The Pajama Game (Warner Bros., 1957)
This adaptation of the hit Broadway musical–with much of its original cast intact– virtually defines the word “exuberance.” Doris Day is a joy as the head of a factory grievance committee who unexpectedly falls in love with the new foreman (John Raitt, in his only starring film). Richard Adler and Jerry Ross’ songs include “Hey, There” and “Hernando’s Hideaway.” Choreography by Bob Fosse includes the famous “Steam Heat” number performed to perfection by Carol Haney. Guest speaker Mana Allen will share stories about her mother Mary Stanton’s experience in the original Broadway cast of The Pajama Game and in the film with Raitt and Day. Mana Allen made her Broadway debut in the original cast of Merrily We Roll Along, and currently serves on the faculties of Manhattan School of Music, Barnard College and Fordham University. Her former students have performed, are performing in or helped create over 50 Broadway shows. 35mm archival print, 101 min.
For more information on our programs, please visit the website at: //www.loc.gov/avconservation/theater/