Featuring a Screening of Buster Keaton's Battling Butler With Live Music by the BQE Project
I t's time for Cornell Cinema's Fourth Annual Elegant Winter Party, which has become a must-attend event on the social calendars of all cinema-loving Ithacans. Dress up in your winter best and join us for scrumptious hors d'oeuvres & desserts (courtesy of some of Ithaca's finest dining and catering establishments), a cash bar, live music, drawings for an array of wonderful door prizes and a 9 pm screening of Battling Butler, with an original score performed live by the BQE Project, all in the always elegant Willard Straight Theatre.
Battling Butler, one of Keaton's favorite films, is the madcap story of an effete millionaire who falls in love with a mountain girl, and in his attempt to impress her family he impersonates the prizefighter "Battling" Butler. Featuring the kinds of delightful and inventive stunts Buster Keaton is known for, this rarely-seen comedy is a delight and an eye opener.
The Brooklyn-based BQE Project (who have delighted Ithaca audiences with original scores to The Blue Angel and Sherlock Jr) will perform a new score for Battling Butler composed by Tom Nazziola—and as a special treat, they'll also perform with a Felix the Cat short, All Sure-locked Homes! The BQE premiered this score at the Film Society of Lincoln Center in New York in November and they received rave reviews, like this one from Ben Model, long-time accompanist for the Museum of Modern Art Film Program:
“They did a great job, and Tom's score really did the work Battling Butler needs...If you get a chance to hear Tom and the BQE—go. The sound is traditional and is scored down to the second...meaning it's not mood music beds that fit, it's more like a real film score timed to each beat of the picture.”
Could there be a better way to greet the upcoming Valentine's Day holiday, beat the winter blues, help out your favorite repertory cinema and have a fabulous evening—all at the same time—than attending our Elegant Winter Party? We don't think so! Proceeds from this event will help Cornell Cinema continue to provide its eclectic slate of cinematic offerings from around the world.
Tickets are $40 general ($70 a pair) and $20 for students ($35 a pair), and will be available starting Monday, January 28 from 104 Willard Straight Hall or by calling 255-3522.
The BQE Project
- Composer / conductor:Tom Nazziola
- Violin: Conrad Harris
- Flute / Clarinet: Dan Willis
- Bassoon: Gina Cuffari
- Piano: Eric Huebner
- Upright bass: Jeff Carney
- Percussion: Bill Hayes