Looking for Mabel Normand

Madcap Mabel Normand

 

THE EXTRA GIRL

(Sennett 1923)

March 1, 2009 – Sunday – 1:30 pm

“Free” at Brooklyn Public Library

Live Piano Accompaniment by Stuart Oderman

Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch

10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, NY 11238

corner of Flatbush Avenue & Eastern Parkway

 

Note: Although the library is closed on Sundays,

its Dweck Theater will remain open for this show,

access via ground-level entrance on Eastern Parkway,

just off Flatbush Avenue.

Hosted & Curated by Ken Gordon

(718) 230-2100

www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org

      The piano accompanist, Stuart Oderman, is celebrating his 50th year playing with silent movies.  He told the story in a New York Times article written by Vincent M. Mallozzi that it all began as a chance meeting with Lillian Gish.  “I cut school one day to watch ‘Broken Blossoms,’ ” he said. “I was only 14 years old. I sit in my seat, look to my left and Ms. Gish is sitting right next to me”.  They started to talk and he confided to her that he wanted to become a film pianist and she introduced him to Arthur Kleiner, who became his teacher.   

      Eventually he began providing musical accompaniment for films at libraries and museums, writing scores for a number of the silent pictures.  Stuart Oderman in 1968 became the Museum of Modern Art silent theater pianist, the job he always wanted. 

      An email came from Ken Gordon the film curator and head of the silent film program at the library, stated that these two men have worked together for over 12 years the last 7 years putting on silent film screenings at the library.  As Ken writes, Stuart Oderman is “a torchbearer from another era” and through his piano has kept the silents alive.

      And so as the sad anniversary of Mabel Normand’s death, is on February 23, a film she made 86 years ago will be shown, what a nice tribute and kind remembrance.