Famed
for its "rack of junk," the Alloy
Orchestra is arguably the finest modern-day purveyor of silent movie scores
in this country. For over a decade the Cambridge-based band has conquered legions
of fans with its kinetic, percussion-heavy accompaniment to films as varied
as Nosferatu, Steamboat Bill, Jr. and Man with a Movie Camera. Using both traditional
synthesizers and drums as well as an outrageous assemblage of peculiar objects
(horseshoes, air-conditioner ducts, trunk springs, an out-of-tune zither, plumbing
pipes), the band brings new life to classics frequently overlooked by '90s film
audiences.
Consisting of Boston rock and improv scene veterans Ken Winokur and Terry Donahue
(both formerly members of the Concussion Ensemble), as well as Roger Miller
(best known as Mission of Burma's frontman), Alloy strives to be both inventive
and respectful of its source material. Below is a complete schedule for the
band's Winter Garden performances. Admission is free, but arrive early, as seats
go fast!
Tuesday,
January 21, 2003 at 7pm
South (England) 1919
Based on Frank Hurley's story about Ernest Shackleton and the Endurance Expedition, the amazing tale of English explorers attempting to cross the South polar ice cap.
Incredible documentary footage of one of the most unbelievable stories of human
courage. Living on the Antarctic ice, without shelter, for more than a year,
these 27 men braved the harshest conditions on Earth, and survived. 35mm (88
min.) More about South
Wednesday,
January 22, 2003 at 7pm
The Arbuckle/Keaton Shorts (US)
Three shorts in all; The Bell Boy (1918), Back Stage (1919), The Garage (1920).
The masterful Fatty Arbuckle directed and starred in these gems, accompanied
by a youthful Buster Keaton in his first screen performances. In his heyday,
Arbuckle was second only to Chaplin in popularity as a screen comedian. Although
he was completely vindicated by the courts, Arbuckle's brilliant career was
ruined in the early 1920's by the infamous Virginia Rappe murder trials. Used
as a scapegoat for the scandal-ridden movie industry, he was blacklisted and
died a broken man at the age of 46. Alloy premiered their live performance at
the Film Society of Lincoln Center on Thanksgiving weekend, 2001. 35mm (77 min.)
More
about the Keaton/Arbuckle shorts
Thursday,
January 23, 2003 at 7pm
Nosferatu - A Symphony of Horror. by F.W. Murnau (Germany), 1922
The Greatest Vampire movie of all time! Shot in the Carpathian mountains of
Transylvania and in Germany, this has been an audience and critical favorite
ever since its debut. This exquisite new print reveals the creepy genius of
this masterpiece for the first time in a decade. Master director F.W. Murnau
has bequeathed us the mother of all nightmares. 35mm (85 min.) More
about Nosferatu
Friday,
January 24, 2003 at 7pm
Steamboat Bill Jr. (US), 1927
One of the funniest and most amazing films of the silent era, Steamboat Bill
has amused audiences for generations. Buster Keaton plays the scrawny son of
a bruising steamboat captain. Try as he might, Bill Jr. can do nothing right.
The climax is the completely surreal storm sequence where a house falls around
Busters shoulders, leaving him unscathed. A perfect vehicle for Alloy's humor
and energy. Beautifully restored new prints let you see this film as it was
originally intended. 35mm (67 min.)
More about Steamboat Bill, Jr.
Related Information:
World Financial
Center Web site
More about the restoration of the Winter Garden