Silent film to include live pipe organ

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Stambaugh Auditorium, 1000 Fifth Ave., will continue its tradition of presenting classic, silent films with live pipe organ accompaniment when it screens “Speedy” at 4 p.m. Oct. 19.

Todd Wilson will play alongside the comedy, which was released in 1928.

Tickets are free but must be reserved. Go to stambaughauditorium.com or call the box office at 330-259-0555.

“Speedy,” starring Harold Lloyd, follows Harold “Speedy” Swift as he struggles to hold a job. After he is fired as a soda jerk, he becomes a cab driver, which leads to an opportunity to drive Babe Ruth to Yankee Stadium for the afternoon game.

Pop, his girlfriend’s grandfather, is concerned about Speedy’s inability to hold a job after he is again fired.

With brief appearances by Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, this film takes the viewer to some of New York City’s most notable landmarks, including the original Yankee Stadium and Coney Island.

Wilson is head of the organ department at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and director of music and worship at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Cleveland.

He is the curator of the E.M. Skinner pipe organ at Severence Hall in Cleveland, and house organist for the Aeolian organ at the Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens in Akron.

Wilson’s interest in improvisation has led to his popular improvised accompaniments to classic, silent films. He accompanied “Phantom of the Opera” last year.