For several years now Trader Joe's, the low-price, high-quality food store sweeping the nation, has underwritten the Seattle Theatre Group's Silent Movie Mondays. Each year's retrospective features a different silent filmmaker and the historic Paramount Theatre's Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. Last year, on a whim, I bought three tickets to one of the Buster Keaton evenings. Unsure what to expect, but figuring it was worth a try, I brought our daughters along for an adventure into American cinematic history. It was worth every penny of the price of admission, and more.

At first when the girls heard the words "silent pictures" they didn't know what I meant. When I explained that by "picture" I meant "movie" and reminded them of Singin' In the Rain they understood but seemed a bit dubious about participating. "Trust me, " I said, "Have I ever lied to you? It'll be great!" Thank goodness I was right. The evening featured two Keaton films, 1923's The Balloonatic and 1924's Sherlock Jr., which were both so hysterically funny and so incredibly well made that it took us several days to stop laughing. Our older daughter, usually somewhat circumspect, laughed so hard she was rocking in her seat. Our younger daughter, as enthusiastic a person as I've ever met, laughed so hard and so loud that other audience members turned to look and began laughing even harder themselves. In addition to enjoying the incredible physical comedy, we were amazed to learn that Keaton performed all of his own stunts. Before rolling Sherlock Jr., the evening's host explained that The Great Stone Face (Keaton's nickname) actually broke his neck while executing a stunt involving a moving train but finished shooting the film before seeking medical attention. We agreed that these films and their creator were extraordinary and that we'd jump at the chance to experience them again.

This year's Silent Movie Mondays features an actor/producer/director/writer whose name and face I remember from childhood Saturday night television. I don't recall actually watching the Harold Lloyd show, I don't even know what the actual title was, but I clearly remember the opening tune and images. The song went "Hooray for Harold Lloyd! Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do! Harold Lloyd!" (repeat) and the image was of a man in a suit and round spectacles dangling from the arms of a huge clock tower. The image, as I recall it, seems compelling, so I don't know why I never watched (maybe the Dukes of Hazzard interfered, who knows?), but, since hindsight is 20-20 and the opportunity presented itself, I decided to rectify the situation.

Last Monday the girls and I, along with four of our friends (also mothers and daughters), returned to the Paramount Theatre and the world of silent pictures to see Harold Lloyd's 1922 picture Dr. Jack. While the film itself has no soundtrack, the experience was anything but silent thanks to the talented Dennis James playing the film's original score on the theatre's Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. Lloyd's talents were as immediately obvious as Keaton's, if slightly slower in building momentum, and like Keaton, Lloyd also performed all of his own remarkable stunts. All seven of us thoroughly enjoyed the film and would have stayed for the second feature, 1924's Girl Shy, if it had run shorter. (Out until 10 p.m. on a Monday night was a bit much for kids and moms alike.)

We have already reserved our seats (free for those who sign up at T.J.'s the week prior to screening) for next week's Harold Lloyd double feature, as have our friends. I cannot overstate how terrific these films are, nor can I over-recommend them. If the opportunity arises in your hometown, I highly suggest rounding up the entire family for a trip to any theatre featuring these gems from the past. Alternatively, I have been assured by our neighborhood video store that the films of these two geniuses of early American cinema are available for home rental. While the experience may be less amazing without the live accompaniment of the Mighty Wurlitzer, I imagine it is well worth a try. The jingle I recall from Saturday nights of years gone by says it best, "Hooray for Harold Lloyd!"

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Sue Harvey

Sue "Mom on Film" Harvey is a mother of three who shares her passion for film with bi-weekly, family-friendly movie recommendations.

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