Buster Keaton in GO WEST with Music by The Rats and People Motion Picture Orchestra Sept. 27th at Maryville University

“Some people travel through life making friends wherever they go, while others – just travel through life.”

The 1925 feature GO WEST,  starring Buster Keaton, will screen at 6:15pm Thursday September 27th at Maryville University (650 Maryville University Dr, St. Louis 63141). The film will be accompanied by The Rats and People Motion Picture Orchestra. Assistant Professor Jess Bowers will introduce the movie and then, after the viewing, lead a presentation and/or Q&A session.

There’s nothing better than silent films accompanied by the Rats and People Motion Picture Orchestra. The group is a treasure and St. Louis is lucky to have them here. The group has actively redefined both the local music and film cultures of the area. The ensemble – equal parts indie/punk-stalwart and academically trained composer and musicians – provide life performance of new film scores to classic silent films. The Rats are hitting the road next Thursday September 27th and will be playing at Maryville University (650 Maryville University Dr, St. Louis 63141). The show starts at 6:15pm. Assistant Professor Jess Bowers will introduce the movie and then, after the viewing, lead a presentation and/or Q&A session.

In GO WEST (68 minutes – 1925), Keaton plays a character referred to as Friendless. The opening scenes of the film show him bouncing around from one unfortunate (and hilarious) situation to another. Yet rather than feel pity for him, the audience can root for this character and good-naturedly laugh at how Friendless reacts to and deals with his misfortunes. It’s difficult not to admire the way he overcomes all challenges. When he finds a friend in a cow named Brown Eyes, his loyalty to her and the rancher that employed him precipitates an amazing sequence of events, culminating in an unbelievable cattle stampede through the streets of LA. You’ll never forget the image of Buster Keaton running down a city street in a red devil’s outfit being pursued by a giant herd of cattle. It’s considered to be one of the most hilariously absurd scenes ever filmed. There are great gags from beginning to end and, as usual for Keaton, the final sequence is very satisfying.

This is a Free event

A Facebook invite for the event can be found HERE

https://www.facebook.com/events/1934697270169003/