Silent horror classic 'Phantom of the Opera' with live organ accompaniment in Suntree
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What is old is new again when it comes to silent films, now making a comeback in metropolitan areas such as New York City. “The Wall Street Journal” notes that venues such as Film Forum routinely sells out tickets to silent film screenings, primarily to Gen Zers who are eager to engage the right side of brains bombarded with left-side messages from smartphones.
Not to be outdone by the Big Apple, Melbourne is staging its own silent film revival, thanks to Suntree United Methodist Church, an unexpected location for such an event, but one that is host to the the Suntree Silent Cinema Series. As part of the series, the church is presenting the granddaddy of silent horror films, “The Phantom of the Opera,” the 1925 blockbuster starring Lon Chaney as the disfigured anti-hero.
The movie will be presented as a pre-Halloween treat at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 28, at the church, 7400 N. Wickham Rd. The audience is encouraged to dress the part and don masks and costumes reminiscent of the Roaring Twenties. Why should “Rocky Horror” fans have all the fun?
Because a silent film is, well, silent, musical accompaniment is needed. In this case, it is being provided with impeccable historical accuracy by theater organist Tom Taylor as he puts the church’s restored Hook & Hastings pipe organ through its paces.
Fun fact: the organ still probably had the price tag attached when “Phantom” premiered, since it was built in 1924, just months before the fictional terror of the Paris Opera House took to the silver screen.
“It was already in service when Lindbergh first crossed the Atlantic,” said Taylor.
The Hook & Hastings organ, like “Phantom,” is a classic. For decades, it languished in hundreds of parts relegated to storage. Suntree United Methodist Church rescued it and lovingly restored it over a period of two years. The church was even retrofitted to accommodate the instrument that is registered with the National Historical Organ Society.
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For the Suntree event, Taylor spent weeks reviewing the film to time the organ improvisations.
“'Phantom of the Opera' has always been a favorite of mine and it’s perfect for some Halloween fun,” Taylor said. “You can’t help but be impressed by the quality of this early horror classic and the incredible performance of Lon Chaney.”
Leonidas Frank “Lon” Chaney, known as “The Man with a Thousand Faces,” is considered one of the greatest actors of early cinema for his ability to transform himself using self-developed makeup techniques.
Admission to the Suntree screening of “Phantom” is free, but donations are gratefully accepted to help with the upkeep of the nearly century-old Hook & Hastings organ.
Taylor, Suntree United Methodist’s organist for 17 years and a member of the American Theatre Organ Society, is passionate about playing the perfect musical accompaniment to silent film classics such as those featured in the Suntree Silent Cinema series. He previously was staff organist for the renowned Mighty Wurlitzer originally created for the 1925 New York Paramount and now residing at the Century II Convention Center in Wichita, Kansas. He has also performed at theaters across the country.
“There is nothing that can really describe the glorious physicality of the pipe organ,” Taylor said. “It’s the ultimate surround sound experience.”
If you go
Silent film screening: 'The Phantom of the Opera'
Where: Suntree United Methodist Church, 7400 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne
When: Saturday, Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m.
Admission: Free, but donations will be accepted
Info: 321-242-2585
On the web: suntreeumc.org
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Organist keeps silent film tradition alive with 'Phantom of the Opera'
