“Great” movies rarely remake themselves in the same glory and majesty as the original production.  King of Kings plays equally well in 1961 as did in 1927 when the always pedestal bound Cecil B. deMille “made” it.

deMille’s production (screened at Wilton Town Hall Theater) had zebras, harlots, and black and white to color.  The movie was long by even today’s standards, but Jeff Rapsis played the scenes (on his do everything electric keyboard) with gusto, fury, and stamina–lots of stamina.  Unfortunately the crowd was less than hoped due to the “religious nature” of the film.  Jeff also emceed–laying out front office information and back story with humor and celerity.  The 1961 version is no small thing.  As 1961 was at the height of the Hollywood big budgets this production was big, bold, and beautiful.  Jeffrey Hunter and Robert Ryan lead the cast of multitudes.  Both are well worth the time and effort to see.

An old friend, Jeff Rapsis (Dangerous Crosswinds), has been a fan of silent films for many, many years, Back in the 1970’s he entertained the Spring Street Junior High crowd with his imitations of Harold Lloyd and Charlie Chaplin,  Since then Jeff has made great success in media, arts, and humanitarian causes.

For the last few years Jeff, with help from fellow enthusiasts and supporters, has run in NH a series of silent films for the public’s viewing pleasure.  The experience of watching a silent film in an old theater as it was meant to be seen (with Jeff at the piano playing ORIGINAL works) is truly a fantastic sensation of simpler times and community bonding.

Donations are encouraged for defraying the costs involved.

(I will list the movies and particulars, but check www.Hippopress.com for more information)

Palace Theatre 80 Hanover Street Manchester NH Mondays 7PM

April 5th “The Sea Hawk” (1924) Swashbuckling action, so good that some fo the footage ended up in Errol Flynn’s 1940 remake.

May 10th “Greed” (1924)  Originally 10 hours long, now just a modest 2 1/3 hours.  Money, and the boneheaded reactions its causes.

Wilton Town Hall Theatre  Main Street Wilton NH Sundays 430pm

March 28th (Palm Sunday) “King of Kings” (1927) Cecil B. DeMille and all the pageantry and “casts of thousands”—more extras than a Hearst run.

April 25th TBA–Comedy

May 30th “The Last Command” (1928) The world was between world wars when this one came out.  Old battles and emotions are re-fought–even in black and white, there is a lot of grey.