Silent film with live organ accompaniment to be presented at SDSU

South Dakota State University’s School of Performing Arts will present a silent film masterpiece with live organ accompaniment at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 and Oct. 17 in Founders Recital Hall at the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center.

The event features Buster Keaton’s acclaimed silent film, “The General,” accompanied by New York-based film historian Ben Model. Now in its sixth year, the silent film series is supported by Doug and Sandy Oleson. 

This year’s presentation of “The General” is part of the School of Performing Arts’ ongoing America 250 initiative, highlighting artistic works that illuminate America’s cultural and historical landscape.

Keaton’s 1926 masterpiece, set during the Civil War and inspired by real events, offers a timely opportunity for reflection on themes of national identity, perseverance and storytelling as the nation recognizes the 250th anniversary of its founding. Film critics consider “The General” one of the greatest silent movies ever made, both for Keaton’s stunts as well as its famous train chase, which includes sending a working steam locomotive off of a burning bridge and into a ravine. Orson Welles said the film was “the greatest comedy ever made,” and film critic Roger Ebert ranked it as the sixth greatest film ever made.

Film historian and organist Model is widely regarded as one of the leading practitioners of silent film accompaniment, having performed live scores for hundreds of films over more than four decades. He serves as a resident accompanist at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and at the Library of Congress’ Packard Campus Theatre. His work is featured at major festivals across the country and on numerous DVD and Blu‑ray releases. Through his boutique label, Undercrank Productions, he has helped restore and reintroduce several rare and previously lost silent films to modern audiences.

Tickets are $20 apiece and may be purchased online. For more information, please contact the SDSU School of Performing Arts at 605-688-5187.