First United Methodist Church to present 'King of Kings'
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HILLSDALE — The Hillsdale First United Methodist Church is hosting an encore screening of Cecil B. DeMille's 1927 "The King of Kings" this Sunday, March 26, at 4 p.m.
The screening will include live pipe organ accompaniment much like how the film would have been originally presented in the theatres similar to when the film was originally released. Guest artist, John Schwandt, from the American Organ Academy in Hartville, Ohio, is a master of this art form and travels all over the country accompanying silent films.
The HFUMC says the screening will be a unique experience for all — the deep spiritual tone of the subject matter is appropriate to the season of Lent; the fascinating art of black and white silent movies; and the skill required for an organist to play live, improvised accompaniment to the movie on the pipe organ.
Admission is free and open to all. A free reception will follow in the church’s Fellowship Hall.
"King of Kings" is a silent film produced and directed by legendary Hollywood film maker Cecil B. Demille. It is the second of DeMille's biblical trilogy preceded by "The Ten Commandments" (1923) and followed by "The Sign of the Cross" (1932).
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Schwandt, the executive director and professor of organ at the American Organ Academy in Hartville, Ohio. Since no silent film had music specifically written for it, Schwandt, like theater organists of the day, will perform his own original music on the pipe organ to accompany the film.
While Schwandt has organized a few melodies in advance, most of what will be heard is improvised on the spot, the church said. This event marks Schwandt’s third appearance in Hillsdale, having accompanied "King of Kings" in 2016 and "The Ten Commandments" in 2017.
Hillsdale First United Methodist Church is located at 45 North Manning St. For further information, call 437-3681. You may also visit their Facebook page or their website at hillsdalefirstumc.com.
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: First United Methodist Church to present 'King of Kings'
