Oyster River Silent Film Night: Buster Keaton's "The Navigator"

Description

Travel back to the Golden Age of silent films, as the Oyster River Middle School Jazz Band and Studio Orchestra accompany the classic 1924 Buster Keaton film, The Navigator. Silent movies have always been far from silent. During the Roaring 20s, silent movies were presented regularly at The Music Hall, accompanied by a live orchestra in the pit. Oyster River Middle School recreates this historic experience with a spine-tingling 100 piece orchestra, playing in the glow of stand lights below the screen.

The Navigator is one of Buster Keaton’s undisputed masterpieces. Screenwriter Jean Hayvez proposed the film’s story: “a rich boy and a rich girl who never had to lift a finger, always someone to wait on ‘em - houses full of butlers, maids, valets, chauffeurs. I put these two beautiful, spoiled brats - the most helpless people in the world - adrift on a ship, all alone. A dead ship. No lights, no steam.” (From Keaton by Rudi Blesh). Armed with Hayvez’s scenario and a five hundred foot ocean cruiser, Keaton created a film with striking creativity and timeless humor. It remained one of Keaton’s personal favorites.

Following The Navigator, the Oyster River High School Studio Orchestra will perform a dramatic set of classic hits from the Jazz Era to the present times. Don’t miss this unique and unforgettable performance!​