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$6 | With live accompaniment by Marta Waterman | 2 hours
March 3, 2 PM
Helen Holmes became a star playing the part of the fearless railroad telegrapher “Helen” in the Kalem Company’s long-running, stunt-driven serial The Hazards of Helen (1914–1917), and continued to make action films through the decade as an independent writer and producer. Not only were her films successful at the box office, but they featured some of the most heroic female images in silent cinema as she leapt to the top of speeding trains and handled pistols with ease. This daredevil character was shaped by Holmes’ well-publicized status as the daughter of a railroad engineer. The program will show several of Holmes’ best film shorts, plus a 2011 documentary ‘Stunt Love’. Director Matthew Bate tells of stunt pioneers Helen Holmes and her daredevil husband J.P McGowan who ruled Hollywood’s silver screens and their “Dashing! Smashing! Crashing! Burning Love!”
We will be joined by Helen’s Greatgranddaughter and Author, Shirley Freitas.
Sunday Silents is made possible by the generous support of Jim Demaio, State Farm Insurance Agent, New Paltz.