In preparation for the first silent movie event in many years, Judith Edwards and Glenn Brown, pictured above, are busy creating piano pieces to support the August 18 “Silent Movie Evening” at Ludlow’s Town Hall Auditorium. The event will feature two 20 minute comedies by the classic comedian, Buster Keaton, plus some melodramatic excerpts from the 1912 adventure series, “The Perils of Pauline”. The Keaton comedy skits were produced in the early 1920′s.
Edwards and Brown will be providing musical background for the two Keaton comedies using the upright grand piano in the auditorium (that was donated to Ludlow by Mr. Brown).
When asked about her experience in preparing for this musical endeavor, Edwards noted that “I has played the piano since I was four, summoned daily by my father, who could whistle so loud he was heard all around the sunny California neighborhood. ‘Time to PRACTICE’.” She added that she rebelled, becoming “an actress, singer, director, teacher, writer and a psychotherapist, with concomitant degrees and professional credits, but not a pianist. However, she has continued piddling with her wonderful grand piano over the decades and now she’s here, playing with Buster Keaton!”
In addition to her musical talents, Edwards, who lives in springfield, is the author of ‘Invasion on the Mountain’ about the Civilian Conservation Corps. She is a frequent lecturer on the CCC and is in the midst of writing a third book on the subject. “After completing the first book, Invasion on the Mountain, I kept adding to my knowledge of the far-reaching impact the CCC had on all United States parks, plus many towns and citizens. The scope of the series has expanded to vignettes of other camps around Vermont, and the time frame has also expanded, encompassing the years 1933 – 1937. I’m now busy doing research on the third book of the series, which continues the lives of Will Ryan and the Civilian Conservation Corps”.
For his part, Glenn Brown splits his time between his homes in Ludlow, Vermont and Kiawah Island, South Carolina. In the Low Country around Charleston, SC, he is widely known as “The Piano Man”, where he donates countless hours of piano music for open houses and fund raising events for the Charleston Symphony Orchestra League. He has played in restaurants, hotels and for many house parties. His piano skills are self taught, and are reminiscent of those of Irving Berlin, who also taught himself. His repertoire is comprised of hundreds of “oldies and goodies” played in his distinctive “easy to listen to” style.
Glenn has spent all or parts of every summer (except while in military service) on Lake Rescue since 1952, bought his first home here in 1966, and served as a Board member of the Lake’s non-profit foundation for 30 years. He served as Director of Marketing in Kodak’s Consumer Division until he left in 1984 to form his own company. He was Trustee and Financial Officer for the Village of Pittsford, NY, served as Senior VIce President of Blair/BBDO ad agency, and is currently Chairman of the Financial Advisory Committee for Kiawah Island.
The Silent Movie Festival will begin at 7 PM on Saturday, August 18 in the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium. Sponsored by FOLA (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium), the event is open to everyone and is free; donations to support future projects by FOLA are appreciated. For information, go to the FOLA website, www.fola.us, or call 802-228-7239.
