Golden Age of Silent Films with Richard Hughes

Go back to the age of silent film at the Athol Public Library at 568 Main Street, Athol, on Thursday, May 7 from 5:30 – 7:00p.m., where we will experience Richard Hughes for The Golden Age of Silent Film!

The height of the silent era (from early 1910s in film to the late 1920s) was a particularly fruitful period with the rise of major stars like Chaplin and Keaton, and the development of film as a global industry. Not truly “silent”, a pianist, theater organist- or even, in larger cities, an orchestra would play music to accompany the films.  

Join us to experience history in this hour and a half long event watching movies (including Buster Keaton’s Sherlock Jr. and the famous melodrama where the girl gets tied to the railroad tracks with a train headed strait for her), clips of newsreels and cartoons all accompanied by live piano music from Mr. Hughes. 

As a boy, Mr. Hughes got hooked on the Keystone comedies shown in public TV and, years later, he learned the "Mood Music" used to accompany silent movies. He is currently traveling throughout New England presenting his programs at libraries, schools, and other events. 

This program was generously sponsored by the Friends of the Athol Public Library!