Custard pie fight on menu for launch of silent film festival

Custard pie fights, jeely jars and the original caped crusader – the 10th anniversary edition of the Hippodrome Silent Film Festival promises to be an immersive experience.

It has now been postponed until October because of coronavirus but since it was first staged at Scotland’s oldest purpose-built cinema in Bo’ness in 2011, the event has stood out from a packed crowd thanks to its innovative approach.

This year will, hopefully, be no different, with a massive custard pie fight kicking off proceedings when it finally gets going.

With a focus on cinema of the 1920s, the Saturday morning jeely jar screening honours an old cinema tradition by offering two-for-one admission for those who bring a jam jar to the double bill of Behind The Screen, starring Charlie Chaplin, and Sherlock Jr, with Buster Keaton as the sleuth.

Festival director Alison Strauss said: “Pieing was a staple of silent comedy and Behind The Screen was the first of many films to include extended pie-throwing battles.

“Chaplin’s Tramp character made his screen debut with Mack Sennett’s Keystone studio, where they used so many pies they had to build their own bakery. We hope hordes of people will take part in our pie fight.”

The gala screening will be The Mark Of Zorro starring Douglas Fairbanks, with audiences encouraged to dress up as the caped hero.

Doctor Who actor Paul McGann provides live narration to closing-night screening, L’Homme du Large, while UK-based Australian musician Meg Morlay will accompany the centenary restoration of The Sentimental Bloke, which only received its world premiere showing in Sydney last month.

Other highlights include Laurel and Hardy’s recently restored Duck Soup.