The Crowd (1928)

Tuesday September 13, 7:00pm The Historic Everett Theater

"The Crowd laughs with you always …. but it will cry with you for only a day."

King Vidor’s masterpiece, The Crowd, is a landmark of Hollywood’s silent era. The delirious joy and horrific sorrow of Johnny Sims (James Murray) and his beautiful Mary (Eleanor Boardman) remains intimate and touching even today. Theatergoers of 1928 were shocked by the eviscerating emotional impact of this film. It is a simple story of boy meets girl, boy marries girl, love and tragedy amid the humdrum routine of daily life in the big city, told with exquisite beauty and startling realism. Vidor and cinematographer Henry Sharp treat the viewer to breathtaking scenes: The magical lights of Coney Island at night, the roaring grandeur of Niagara Falls and the terrifying enormity of New York City, where people thrive or are swallowed up. "The Crowd" is among the finest films produced by MGM under Irving Thalberg during the silent era’s golden age.

Viewers of this film should prepare themselves for an emotional roller coaster. "The Crowd " is one of those early film treasures that have become available on video in recent years. There is nothing this good on the big screen today. A beautiful old house with live accompaniment by Dennis James should make for a memorable evening.