Buster Keaton’s The General
Silent Film + Live Orchestra
Richard Kaufman, Conductor
New West Symphony
Dennis James, Organist
Live discussion with actor Jamie Farr about film, comedy & Keaton
About The General
Silent film and live music fit best together at VPAC, when Richard Kaufman returns to conduct the New West Symphony and Dennis James plays organ. Regarded as the greatest of all comedies of the silent era, Buster Keaton’s The General (1927) is an action-packed adventure story set against the backdrop of the Civil War about a brave but foolish train engineer, the woman he loves, and his beloved locomotive.
“We are thrilled to continue our silent film series with The General and the New West Symphony," says Thor Steingraber, Executive Director of VPAC. "Dennis James, organist and score compiler for this event, is a master of recreating silent film scores. His specificity and dedication coupled with Richard Kaufman’s inspired conducting, will remind us all why The General remains a touchstone of cinematic genius to this day.”
Celebrating 100 Years of Buster Keaton
