Audiences will step back into the golden age of cinema Friday, May 29 at 7 p.m., as acclaimed theater organist Brett Valliant presents a special live performance at the RIHS Performing Arts Center.
The evening will include a concert set “ From Bach to Bacharach,” as well as an excerpt from the 1923 silent film classic “Safety Last.” Valliant will be performing on the historic Bartlow 1928 Wurlitzer theater organ housed at the RIHS Performing Arts Center.
Tickets, $25/person, are available at ticketstripe.com/ may29-Valliant , in person at Moreland & Devitt in Rushville and at the door Celebrating the Legacy of Silent Film and the Wurlitzer Organ Before the advent of synchronized sound, motion pictures relied on live musical accompaniment to bring stories to life—and no instrument was more iconic than the Wurlitzer theater organ.
Often called the “Mighty Wurlitzer,” these instruments were engineering marvels of the early 20th century, designed to replicate the sound of an entire orchestra. From dramatic swells to comedic accents, the Wurlitzer became an essential storytelling partner in movie palaces across America.
Installed in theaters during the 1910s through the 1930s, Wurlitzer organs transformed film going into a fully immersive experience. Today, surviving instruments like the RIHS Performing Arts Center’s 1928 Wurlitzer offer a rare and authentic connection to this foundational era of cinema.
Featured Film: Safety Last! (1923) The evening’s featured presentation, “Safety Last” stars Harold Lloyd and remains one of the most celebrated comedies of the silent era. Released in 1923, the film follows an ambitious young man navigating big-city life in pursuit of success—and love. Its most famous sequence, featuring Lloyd dangling precariously from a skyscraper clock, has become one of the most enduring images in film history.
Blending physical comedy with genuine suspense and heartfelt storytelling, “Safety Last” showcases the brilliance of visual humor and the ingenuity that defined silent filmmaking.
Live Performance by Brett Valliant The performance will be brought vividly to life by Brett Valliant, an accomplished theater organist known for his dynamic interpretations and deep appreciation of silent film accompaniment. Performing live on the RIHS’s historic Wurlitzer, Valliant will recreate the authentic moviegoing experience of the 1920s, improvising a score that enhances every moment of action, comedy, and drama.
This special event is presented by the Schuyler Performing Arts Council and generously sponsored by Alan Burgard and Doug Hahn of Springfield, Illinois and Nancy Jorgesen of Rushville.
This program celebrates the enduring artistry of silent film and the historic Wurlitzer organ, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience cinema as it was originally intended— alive with music, emotion, and communal excitement.
About the Event
