Maybe the greatest of all American silent films, King Vidor’s masterpiece — here screening with a never-before-heard improvised jazz score performed by multiple Juno-winner Chris Gestrin — keys into the faultlines at the heart of the American Dream (and did so just on the brink of the Wall Street Crash and the Great Depression). John is born on the Fourth of July, 1900 — an auspicious date at the dawn of what will be known as the American Century. Arriving in New York City as a young man, he’s determined to make a name for himself. He takes a wife — Mary — they have kids. But success remains elusive. And then tragedy strikes…
The Crowd is in many ways a simple fable about the common man. But Vidor’s artistry insists that the struggles of an ordinary Joe — or John — can be as compelling, and as worthy of our empathy, as those of a king, a champion, or any other hero… perhaps even more so, as most of us fall into the same category. Vidor cast an unknown extra, James Murray, as his protagonist, and was rewarded with a performance of remarkable depth and pathos. Yet within ten years Murray would be dead, a suspected suicide, after succumbing to alcoholism and destitution. The film’s mixture of realism (Vidor shot with a hidden camera on New York streets, anticipating neo-realism by more than a decade) and expressionism remains impressive, no matter that directors as different as Billy Wilder, Roberto Rossellini and Vittorio De Sica admitted to stealing from it over the years.
About the Band: The Chris Gestrin Organ Trio
Chris Gestrin – Organ/keyboards
Joe Poole – Drums
Myles Bigelow – Percussion
Media Partner
Thanks to
King Vidor
James Murray, Eleanor Boardman, Bert Roach, Estelle Clark
USA
1928
Book Tickets
Indigenous & Community Access
Guest
Chris Gestrin
Since graduating with a Film Scoring degree from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in 1995, Vancouver native Chris Gestrin has become an integral part of the Canadian music scene. As a versatile pianist and multi-keyboardist, composer, engineer and producer he has worked on over 400 albums covering a wide range of musical styles. From avant garde electronic improvisations to greasy soul organ music, introspective piano jazz to top of the charts pop, rock and hip-hop, Gestrin is in high demand for his eclectic talents and ability to bring a high level of musical inspiration to any situation.
As a jazz artist, Gestrin has performed on and off the stage not only with his great Canadian colleagues, but with a who’s who of the Jazz world. Gary Peacock, David ’Fat Head’ Newman, Kenny Wheeler, Jerry Granelli, Duke Robillard, to name a few. In the more mainstream music world, Chris has had the pleasure of working with a large number of prominent artists including Randy Bachman, Bryan Adams, D.O.A., Bob Rock, Paul Rodgers, Colin James, Jann Arden, Motley Crue, K-OS, Swollen Members, Jim Byrnes, Steve Dawson, Nickelback, Loudon Wainwright III, Long John Baldry and Jeff Healey.
Credits
Screenwriter
King Vidor, John V.A. Weaver
Cinematography
Henry Sharp
Original Music
Carl Davis
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