The Crowd to screen at the Palace this Monday January 19

Here's the latest press release from Dangerous Crosswinds composer Jeff Rapsis:

Jan. 18, 2009 / FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Jeff Rapsis at (603) 236-9237
• e-mail jrapsis@gmail.com
• www.palacetheatre.org/
'The Crowd' (1928) to play Palace Theatre with live music on MLK Day, Jan. 19
Silent film drama about need for hope, human dignity maintains power to move audiences

MANCHESTER, N.H. - 'The Crowd' (1928), regarded as one of finest Hollywood films of the silent era, will be screened with live music on in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, N.H. 'The Crowd,' directed by King Vidor, chronicles the fortunes of young couple struggling to survive in 1920s New York. The film, which appears on many lists of the top 100 films of all time, is considered a timeless masterpiece that maintains its power to movie audiences more than 80 years after its release."

The film tells a great story, but it's especially appropriate for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, with ageless themes that include the struggle of the individual to find meaning and dignity in an imperfect world," said Jeff Rapsis, a local composer who will perform an original musical score for the film to accompany the screening."It's a remarkable depiction of the human condition, and I think is a great way to ponder the message that Dr. King had for everyone," Rapsis said. "It's not only first-class entertainment, but it also helps you appreciate the value of character and integrity, and how hard it can be to find fairness in an unfair world."Combining humor and melodrama, 'The Crowd' centers on a young couple's struggle to find meaning in their lives following a tragic turn of events that strains their relationship to the breaking point. As the film progresses, they are forced to fight to keep their ever-diminishing dreams alive in a soulless urban society. The movie stars James Murray as John Sims and Eleanor Boardman as his wife, Mary. Murray, an unknown actor when selected by director Vidor for the film's lead role, was praised by critics for a bravura performance as the young husband who believes he's destined for big things. Boardman, an actress who was Vidor's wife at the time, was also praised for her masterful work. Director King Vidor was hailed not only for the film's storytelling sweep and grandeur, but also for technical achievements of 'The Crowd.' The movie's innovative lighting and design included sets built at unusual angles to emphasize the emotions of the actors, and camera angles and techniques borrowed from the then-new German "expressionism" school of cinema. The film, one of the last silent features to be released by MGM before talkies arrived, was immediately recognized as one of the silent era's great achievements, and continues to win praise today. 'The Crowd' was named one of the top 100 American movies of all time by the American Film Institute and Time Magazine, among others. Critic Leonard Maltin described 'The Crowd' as "one of the greatest silent films, holds up beautifully." Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle called it "as good as people say, and it's worth seeing now."The film's status as an all-time classic makes it a worthy vehicle with which to honor the legacy of Dr. King on the holiday that bears his name, organizes said."

Though 'The Crowd' was made and released long before Dr. King came on the scene, it speaks to the timeless issues that were at the core of his message to everyone," Rapsis said. "It's a moving way to see how such issues as human dignity and the need to believe in something have been part of life for generations, and the importance of compassion, and how we should reserve judgment, for we may some day be judged ourselves."

Corporate sponsors for this showing of 'The Crowd' include Ameriprise Financial, Looser Than Loose Vintage Entertainment, Back Lot Films, Lunchbox Films and the Palace Theatre.

'The Crowd' will be shown for one screening only on Monday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St. in Manchester. 'The Crowd' is part of the Palace Theatre's first-ever "Silent Film Blockbusters" series, which aims to show best quality prints of silent classics on the big screen with live music. See for yourself the films that made audiences first fall in love with the movies. General admission, $7 per person; proceeds to benefit the Palace Theatre. For tickets and more info on 'The Crowd' and other films in the series, visit www.palacetheatre.org or call the Palace box office at (603) 668-5588.

Poster caption: An original poster for "The Crowd" (1928), an acclaimed silent film drama, to be screened with live music on Monday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester, N.H. Tickets $7; for more info, visit www.palacetheatre.org or call the box office at (603) 668-5588.

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For more info, contact:
Jeff Rapsis • (603) 236-9237
• jrapsis@gmail.com
Images and cutlines attached.
High-resolution digital images available upon request.