Dundee’s cultural jewel brings silent-movie stars back to life

Special event will see top organist play live accompaniment to films

One of Dundee’s cultural jewels will bring the “clowns” of the golden age of silent movies back to life.

Buster Keaton, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy will return to the big screen when virtuoso Richard Hills makes his Dundee debut on the iconic Caird Hall organ at a special event on November 9.

Hills will improvise a live accompaniment to Keaton’s final independent film, Steamboat Bill Jr, which was made in 1928.

He will also play alongside the 19-minute 1929 silent Laurel and Hardy comedy short Big Business.

The Caird Hall organ is older than both movies, having been built by Harrison and Harrison of Durham in 1922 after being designed by blind organist Alfred Hollins.

Friends of the Caird Hall Organ committee member Jim McKellican said: “We have been running silent-film nights, with the magnificent Grade-1 listed Harrison and Harrison concert organ being used to provide musical accompaniment since the inception of the charity in 2010.

“The organ on these occasions has been played by Nigel Ogden and Donald Mackenzie.

“This year Richard Hills, who is equally at home in cathedral or cinema, is playing, and we look forward to welcoming him for what I think is his first ‘shotty’ of the Caird Hall organ.

“He is internationally known as a superb accompanist for silent movies, so it is a big thrill to have him coming.”

Mr McKellican said: “Our experience and from audience feedback is that comedies are preferred by audiences, but we have run the 1920s versions of Phantom Of The Opera and The Hunchback Of Notre Dame.

“Of course, showing films is nothing new to the Caird Hall and the original projection room is still accessible – although a somewhat interesting adventure.

“We hope that families will come along to our now-annual event as it is for all ages, and few people remain who remember the piano or organ hammering out music to old films.”

Mr McKellican said this year’s event has been helped by a contribution from lottery funding, and tickets for the silentmovie night are on sale now.

The Caird Hall organ was carefully restored by the original builders in 1991, and the pitch sharpened to make the instrument playable alongside visiting orchestras and bands.

We hope that families will come along to our now-annual event... few people remain who remember the organ hammering out music to films

Pictures: AllStar/Eureka Entertainment. Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, left, and Buster Keaton will star in the big screen event.

Pictures: Steven Brown. Richard Hills will play the Caird Hall organ to accompany the silent movie screenings.