Ithaca, NY: THE GREAT WHITE TRAIL (1917)

[silentfilm]

http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20090528/ENT04/905280327/1125/State+Theatre+set+to+screen+1917+Ithaca-made+silent+movie

State Theatre set to screen 1917 Ithaca-made silent movie


The 1917 Ithaca-made feature film "The Great White Trail" will have a free screening at 8:15 p.m. Saturday, May 30 at the historic State Theatre in downtown Ithaca, during Ithaca Festival weekend. The program is suitable for all ages.

"The Great White Trail" was produced and directed by the Wharton brothers at their Ithaca silent movie studio, and stars a young Doris Kenyon (born in Syracuse) in her first feature role. Kenyon went on to a long Hollywood career in both silent and sound movies.

"The Wharton Brothers were remarkable filmmakers in their time," said Aaron Pichel, Ithaca attorney, film historian and event organizer, "and we want to give everyone a chance to see one of their early feature films in an authentic setting and with live musical accompaniment."

Also screening at the event: some rare silent animated short cartoons.

Live music for the event will be provided by world-renowned silent film accompanist Dr. Philip Carli, on the State Theatre's 1907 Steinway grand piano. "I look forward to playing for this long-unseen Wharton film," Carli said. "It is a special treat to accompany the films in Ithaca where they were originally made."

A reception to meet the accompanist will be held after the show at the Ithaca Antique Center's newest downtown store, Sheldon Hill Antiques at 115 S. Cayuga St. (around the corner from the State Theatre).

For more information, visit www.stateofithaca.com.
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Bruce Calvert
http://www.silentfilmstillarchive.com