The Teeny-Tiny Pit Orchestra for Silent Films will be presenting an evening of Spooky Silent Movies in the Seuss Room of Geisel Library on Oct 31.
There will be three separate shows, with free admission to each. The evening begins at 7 p.m. with a series of short silent horror films. Longer, feature-length silent films will follow. At 8 p.m., “”Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde”” will be shown, and “”The Phantom of the Opera”” will be presented at 9:30 p.m.
Both “”Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde”” and “”The Phantom of the Opera”” will be the silent versions produced during the silent era of American cinematography.
The films that will be shown are all from the permanent film collection at Geisel Library. Musical instruments from the collection of Scott Paulson, the orchestra director, will accompany the presentation of the films.
The key aspect of the Teeny-Tiny Pit Orchestra is that it encourages audience participation during its presentations. On Halloween night, the audience will have a chance to contribute sound effects during the spooky films. They can bang on thundersheets, play with rain wheels and wind machines, play a theremin or clatter teeth and bones.
The audience will also be able to take instruments home with them.
According to Paulson, the TTPO is “”a small performance ensemble that does live music and sound effects while silent films are rolling.””
The group performs at least once a month at school assemblies and other shows. It holds a silent film festival each year from January until April, and have always performed on Halloween.
Originally created and designed to perform for children, the TTPO has been well received by adults, as well as both the Los Angeles and San Diego press. The Los Angeles Times referred to the group’s performances as “”an out-of-the-ordinary cinematic experience.””
“”Silent films were never presented as silent movies,”” Paulson said. “”It’s a nice experience for the audience. They’ve never seen a silent film the way they’re supposed to.””
Michelle Renner, an Earl Warren College freshman who has seen a nonsilent version of “”Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde,”” said that “”the silent versions should have more artistic and emotional appeal.””
So, if you’re in the mood for a spooky silent film, go check out the performances on Halloween night.
For more information call (858) 534-8074.
Spooky Silent Movies
Featuring “”Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde””
Seuss Room, Geisel
Doors open at 7 p.m.
