ICFS and HMATOS present: Buster Keaton Shorts w/Live Organ (Program #2)

A giant of American comedy, filmmaker of grace and beauty, and performer of the impossible defines the work of Buster Keaton. Working without special effects or stuntmen, Keaton’s ability to hold a straight face through every calamity while also being so incredibly expressive, seems impossible. Further, his towering achievement of producing 19 silent short films and 10 silent features would be called impossible if it were not for the fortunate fact that the films exist. Join us as we celebrate four of Keaton’s greatest shorts. Also, watch our calendar as we possibly add a third program of Keaton Shorts!

Providing musical accompaniment for all of these treasures is – a treasure himself – Carl Hackert, Program Director of the Hudson-Mohawk American Theatre Organ Society and one of New York’s most celebrated theatre organists. Hackert’s performance partner for this event will be the magnificent “George,” an incredible recreation of George Wright’s famous Hollywood Philharmonic recording studio organ!

Hard Luck (1921): A down on his luck young man makes several attempts to end it all, yet fortunately proves a failure at that too! (22 min)

The Electric House (1922): A Botany major, Buster mistakenly graduates in Electrical Engineering and gets hired to wire a house. (23 min)

My Wife’s Relations (1922): Buster and an intimidating woman accidentally get married. (24 min)

The Balloonatic (1923): A hapless amusement park attendant finds his runaway balloon ride has left him in a strange predicament. (22 min)

NOTE: This program is not rated and has a total running time of approximately 95 minutes.