This is the third edition of BJO vs The Big White Screen. This time, Lode Mertens, and Dieter Limbourg write a film score for two gems from Hollywood silent movie history: Pollyanna and An Eastern Westerner. In the lead roles we find two of the biggest stars of the silver screen that America has ever known: “America’s Sweetheart” Mary Pickford plays Pollyanna and "The King of Daredevil Comedy”, Harold Lloyd, provides breakneck, clumsy stunts in An Eastern Westerner.
Brussels Jazz Orchestra performs the music live and in synchronisation with the film. After performing the Oscar-winning soundtrack of The Artist and three editions of BJO vs The Big White Screen, BJO has slowly but surely become an expert in performing soundtracks for silent movies.
Pollyanna (1920) stars the young American silent film actress Mary Pickford. Pickford, nicknamed “America’s Sweetheart”, plays a very convincing good-natured and high-spirited Pollyanna. After the tragic death of her parents, the young girl is taken in by her cold and stern aunt Polly. Pollyanna nevertheless refuses to see anything but the good side of things. The film is based on the book Pollyanna, an American classic of children’s literature. It has never been out of print since its publication in 1913! The character of Pollyanna gave name to the concept ‘Pollyanna-complex’ which refers to a person who compulsively sees the positive side of things.
The film achieved huge success and further confirmed and reinforced Pickford’s acting talent and star status. The film will be screened in a unique color restoration by CINEMATEK (in collaboration with The Mary Pickford Foundation and UCLA).
Harold Lloyd (1893-1971) is, along with Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, one of the most popular film comedians of the silent film era. Lloyd was an athletic actor whose dangerous stunts earned him the nickname “The King of Daredevil Comedy”. A scene from Safety Last! from 1923, in which Lloyd hangs high from the hands of a clock, is one of the iconic images of silent cinema. But as An Eastern Westerner amply proves: Harold Lloyd had more tricks up his sleeve than thrills alone.
