Silent Movie Night, The Merry Widow (1925) starring Mae Murray, John Gilbert & Roy D'Arcy with theatre organist, Ron Carter and Melanie Wade Larsen Soprano
Friday, September 22, 2017
7:15 PM Melanie Wade Larsen and Ron Carter present Songs from the Silent Era
7:30 PM Film Presentation
The Merry Widow is a 1925 American silent romantic drama/black comedy film directed and written by Erich von Stroheim. The film stars Mae Murray as Sally O’Hara, John Gilbert as Prince Danilo Petrovich and Roy D'Arcy as Crown Prince Mirko. The film is based on the Franz Lehár's opera of the same name. Joan Crawford and Clark Gable also had uncredited roles. In the film, Prince Danilo falls in love with dancer Sally O'Hara. His uncle, King Nikita I of Monteblanco forbids the marriage because she is a commoner. Thinking the Prince has jilted her, Sally marries old, lecherous Baron Sadoja, whose wealth has kept the kingdom afloat. When he dies suddenly, Danilo must win over Sally again.
Georgia’s own acclaimed theatre organist Ron Carter will be at the helm of Sacred Heart’s instrument weaving themes from the original score and music from the era to bring The Merry Widow to life. Throughout the last forty years, Ron Carter has been perfecting the art of accompanying silent films. This is his 15th season with Sacred Heart.
It’s an evening not to be missed!