To celebrate the 75th anniversary of George Eastman Museum’s opening, The Dryden Theatre brings you one of our own film preservations starring Mary Pickford, the only movie star in attendance at the ribbon cutting in 1949. Deriving from a nitrate print in the museum’s collection, the preservation began on the fiftieth anniversary of the museum and was completed in 2000 and has never screened at The Dryden. One of Pickford’s first adult roles, Behind the Scenes finds her playing Dolly Lane, an aspiring stage actress. She has had little success breaking into lead roles and meets wealthy farmer Steve Hunter (James Kirkwood) when she accidentally hits him with a streamer. The two fall in love but Dolly discovers that her marriage may not be compatible with her burgeoning Broadway career. With live accompaniment by Philip Carli and footage of the opening of the museum, this screening promises to be special.
Live piano accompaniment by Philip Carli.