The 1922 box-office hit “Smilin’ Through” will be shown with live music Sunday, March 13, at 2 p.m. at Town Hall Theatre, 40 Main St. in Wilton to celebrate the film’s 100th anniversary.
Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $10 per person to help support the theater’s silent film series.
The drama, set in the years before and after World War I, will be shown with live music by silent film accompanist Jeff Rapsis. Norma Talmage plays the dual role of Kathleen, a young Irish woman, and Moonyean, Kathleen’s aunt who died many years ago under tragic circumstances. Kathleen is in love with Kenneth Wayne, but is prevented from marrying him by her guardian John Carteret, who remains haunted by memories of his thwarted love for Mooneyan.
The story, based on a 1919 stage play, was filmed twice more by MGM — in 1932 with Norma Shearer and 1941 with Jeanette MacDonald. The film was strongly associated with the song “Smilin’ Through,” a sentimental 1919 ballad with lyrics and music by Arthur A. Penn. The song, inspired by the stage play, remained popular for several decades, recorded by performers ranging from Judy Garland to Bing Crosby.
The screening of “Smilin’ Through” is part of the Town Hall Theatre’s ongoing series honoring the 100th anniversary of significant motion pictures that debuted in 1922. Programs will include all of 1922’s five highest-grossing titles, each shown on the big screen with live music, as well as century-old oddities, short films, cartoons and more.
Upcoming programs in include:
— Sunday, March 27, at 2 p.m.: Douglas Fairbanks in “Robin Hood,” the top-grossing film of 1922.
— Sunday, April 3, at 2 p.m.: Chaney/Houdini Double Feature. In “Flesh and Blood”, escaped convict Lon Chaney hides out in Chinatown and plots revenge. In “The Man From Beyond,” illusionist Harry Houdini plays an Arctic adventurer frozen for 100 years.
— Sunday, April 17, at 2 p.m.: Emil Jannings in “Othello.” William Shakespeare’s immortal tragedy is brought to the screen in this early German version.
Admission to all programs is free, with a suggested donation of $10 per person to help defray expenses. For information, call 603-654-3456 or visit wiltontownhalltheatre.com. For information on the music, visit jeffrapsis.com.