A Good Age: Duxbury man's piano playing captures the emotion of silent films

DUXBURY − Richard Hughes' second life as a musician and historian began to take shape 20 years ago. In his early 50s, he was laid off from a precision manufacturing job and decided it was time to do something he really liked.

"I always wanted to play the piano professionally, I loved to play and I thought, 'Why not explore something else for work?'" he said. “I knew nothing about silent films, but they always had made me chuckle. I started wondering how these movies were made and decided I would learn the music to accompany them, like they did in the 1920s. The piano players back then would match the emotion in the film."

At first, back in 2003, he borrowed a movie projector and 16 mm film reels of the silent film classics from libraries. Today, he uses his own LCD projector with DVDs. He usually features one of the stars of the silent era: Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, Mary Pickford or Buster Keaton.

His programs have been well-received at local senior centers and retirement communities. He also presents educational entertainment at schools, historical societies and community centers across the state.

When he began his research, he came across the publication "Motion Picture Moods for Pianists and Organists” by Erno Rapee, originally published in 1924. It offers ideas on how to match the emotions or actions in a silent movie with different musical styles. The silent films also used different camera angles that were most effective at telling a story without words.

"The music you play underscores the emotion, but it should not be flamboyant," Hughes said. "You don't want to take away from the film; you want to enhance it. When you go from one scene to another, it should be seamless, so they don't notice what you do."

His favorite scenes are "those with hearts and flowers, the romantic comedies, a girl batting her eyelashes and the boy is smitten and always something happens. It gets to us right here," he said, pointing to his heart.

There can be a sense of discovery and often humor in speechless action, which he said also appeals to him.

"When you are watching and there are no words, no one speaking, you anticipate what is going to happen," Hughes said. "And then, often, you are proven right. It is very enjoyable."

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Tony Kelso, program coordinator at the Duxbury Senior Center, has invited Hughes to show films there twice and will have him return in April.

"I have always loved silent movies, so it seemed like a perfect fit, something I wanted to see," Kelso said. "The most fun and beneficial parts are how funny the movies are, how terrific his piano playing is and his extensive knowledge of the movies and the stars."

Hughes recently presented the 1926 Charlie Chaplin classic, "The Circus," in Duxbury. Afterward, Sarie Booy said she found the program "fabulous."

"I always wanted to know more about Charlie Chaplin" she said, adding she was most impressed by "his sensitivity to his leading lady, his concern about women being treated properly" in the story line.

Hughes recently worked with the Marion Senior Center to develop a special musical program for Valentine's Day. He played a medley of love songs, including crooner Frank Sinatra and rock 'n' roll pioneer Fats Domino, and projected the words to the songs on a screen, inviting the audience to sing along. Many did.

"I feel happy," one woman said afterward.

Hughes, who lives in Hudson, began taking classical piano lessons when he was 7 and later explored boogie-woogie, ragtime and pop at teenage events.

"I liked the attention I got from my classmates,” he said. “They were all impressed and it made me feel special.”

Born in Beverly, he grew up in Newton and Natick and earned a degree in business administration from Boston University.

Now 72, he hopes to keep performing until he is 80 and has become a silent movie advocate.

"I highly recommend that people go to see silent movies where they can and ask their librarians to host a silent movie night," he said "They are fun, enjoyable, different and part of our American history. And they are going to chuckle. It is broad humor."

For more information about Hughes and his traveling Silent Movie Shows, email silentmovieshows@hotmail.com or call 978-568-9132.

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185 with Brady

It started out with 16 free tickets to a screening of "80 with Brady" Tuesday, Feb. 20, at Patriot Cinemas in Hingham.

Now, at noon, 185 seniors are going to see the film about four fans of Tom Brady, arranged by Weymouth Elder Services. Karen Johnston, director of elder services, kept upping the number of tickets as interest mushroomed after the initial senior newsletter offer.

In the film, four best friends "live life to the fullest when they embark on a wild trip to see their hero, Tom Brady, play in the 2017 Super Bowl."

Nordic walking group & QiGong

Ksenya Antonevich, the founder and leader of the South Shore Nordic Walking group, is offering free QiGong classes every Thursday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the John Curtis Free Library, 534 Hanover St., Hanover.

QiGong is an ancient practice intended to improve mental and physical health by combining posture, movement, breathing technique, self-massage, sound, color and focused intent. Ksenya is a 10-year practicing instructor of QiGong, based on Gao Han style.

"The majority (about 90%) of people in both of my groups are 60 and over," she said.

Those who would like to attend can send her a message on Facebook, or join South Shore Nordic Walking group and "QiGong with Ksenya" event. Space is limited to 40 people per session. For other questions, her email is ksenyayogaqi@yahoo.com.

Reach Sue Scheible at sscheible@patriotledger.com.

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This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Richard Hughes, 72, has second career playing piano for silent movies