Silent movie fundraiser at Musgrave church

MUSGRAVE Methodist Church is hosting a special one-off Sunday afternoon screening of Buster Keaton’s iconic 1920 black and white silent movie, The Scarecrow, with live organ accompaniment by Melvin Peters, in the church on Sunday, 27 October at 4pm.

The afternoon programme will take place exactly 90 years to the day after the then brand-new organ had her first public recital and dedication ceremony in the church on Sunday, 27 October 1929.

The Scarecrow is a short 19-minute (two reel) family-friendly silent comedy film starring a youthful Buster Keaton. It is perhaps best known perhaps for its opening scene in which Buster and co-star Joe Roberts, are doing household chores with an array of delicious Heath-Robinson type ropes-and-pulley labour-saving devices. Later in the film Keaton tries desperately and comically to outrun Luke the dog – the real-life pet of silent movie pioneer, Fatty Arbuckle, who mentored Charlie Chaplin and discovered Buster Keaton. Buster’s real father does a turn as the furious farmer who realises his daughter and Buster’s character are in love.

Continuing with the theme of bespoke music improvised for organ, the afternoon programme closes with a special piece devised for the occasion by Melvin Peters based on improvising from various well-known hymns.

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The screening is to celebrate the extensive overhaul and refurbishment of Musgrave Methodist’s magnificent church organ by restoration enthusiast and historian Ed Montocchio. In his research Montocchio found out that she was designed and built specifically to accompany silent movies in their hey days in the 1920s. Instead of a career in a UK cinema she was shipped across on the HMS Umgeni and installed in Musgrave Methodist in October 1929. The idea for her to accompany a silent movie on her 90th birthday is to honour her showgirl roots – even if only for one afternoon.

Tickets may be purchased at the door for R80 and R50 for pensioners and children. Patrons may also contact the church office on 031 201 2005 for advance bookings.

The ticket includes afternoon tea in garden from 3pm. In keeping with the theme, dress code for the afternoon is black and white. All money raised go towards the Musgrave Methodist building restoration fund.

Musgrave Methodist is 237 Musgrave Road on Durban’s Berea. There will be car guards in attendance.

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