"Sadie Thompson" EbertFest Silent Film & Live Orchestra
The legendary Silent Film "Sadie Thompson" with a new, live musical sound track by Joseph Turrin, was presented by The Champaign Urbana Symphony Orchestra, directed by Maestro Steven Larsen (the first and only regional orchestra to perform at the Ebert Festival!)
Roger Ebert's personal feedback to the CUSO - May 15, 2007 “Thank you!!! The performance was a highlight of the first nine years. So many of our visitors were impressed by the quality of the performance and music, and the overall impact of the program.” Cheers, RE
At noon on Fri., April 27, 2007 in The Historic Virginia Theater, for the opening film, a 19 piece ensemble from The Champaign Urbana Symphony, conducted by Maestro Steven Larsen, produced by 1stChoice Music Services, performed Joseph Turrin’s musical score to the 1928 Classic Silent Film, "Sadie Thompson", featuring legendary actors Gloria Swanson, Lionel Barrymore, and Raoul Walsh.
A brief YouTube live performance footage from the Ebertfestival is here.
A YouTube link to the 1928 silent film classic Sadie Thompson, with music by Joseph Turrin is available here https://youtu.be/EHo5y55Sn9g
REVIEWS
NEWS GAZETTE April 28, 2007 Roger Ebert Film Festival Review "Symphony of Silence, Sound" - Silent and Symphony Orchestra don’t often go together. But for "Sadie Thompson", Friday’s opening movie at Roger Ebert's Overlooked Film Festival, the coexistence was bliss.”
Ferdy on Films Marilyn Ferdinand Review - "The entire Turrin score was performed by the Champaign Urbana Symphony Orchestra & conducted with a sure touch for movie accompaniment - an art unto itself by Steven Larsen. This, my first film of the festival, was an absolute joy and revelation."
Reviews from productions in New York, Oregon, & Massachusetts -"With a musical score by Joseph Turrin, Sadie Thompson is a work that must be seen." - NY DAILY NEWS (3/87)
"One of the most impressive aspects of this restored version of 'Sadie Thompson' is an outstanding musical score by Joseph Turrin. Few musicians have written feature-length scores for the silent films in the last 60 years, but Turrin produced one that follows the film meticulously and is good listening besides." - THE OREGONIAN (4/16/87)
"Turrin's charming score enhances a unique classic silent film experience. At Dartmouth College, it was a delight for the audience, as well as the players." - Max Culpepper, Conductor, DARTHMOUTH COLLEGE FILM FESTIVAL
Maestro Larsen leading the CUSO pre-performance sound check
Film Festivals which produced Sadie Thompson with live orchestra
Dartmouth College, StummFilm Musik Tage (Germany) Ensemble Kontraste, Roger Ebert Film Festival
Brief Film Synopsis
Sadie, a girl trying to hide her identity in the South Seas, meets Sergeant O'Hara, a marine, and promises to marry him. Alfred Atkinson, a tyrannical reformer, obsessed with her "immorality," makes life unpleasant for her and threatens to give her up to the police. When she reforms, he seduces her, then he commits suicide. She is reunited with her lover, & they leave for Australia.
Roger Ebert Film Festival/Sadie Thompson Feature Article (Contents: program notes by Kristin Thompson, & The Creation of the Sadie Thompson Film Score, Article by Barbara Hedlund, Producer/CUSO Principal Cellist
Barbara Hedlund & Joseph Turrin with the Ebertfest Thumbs Up Award
Film Cast & Crew - Story & Screenplay by W. Somerset Maugham - Raoul Walsh, Director & Sgt. Tim O'Hara, Gloria Swanson, Sadie Thompson, Lionel Barrymore, Alfred Atkinson, Blanche Frederici, Mrs. Atkinson
To view a digital copy of the movie, plus rent the film (distributors Dennis Doro @Milestone Film & Video) & music for live chamber orchestra performances (97 minutes), contact Joseph Turrin or Barbara Hedlund
For more photos & festival information, see the Ebertfest 9 Photo Blog
The 2007 “Sadie Thompson” EbertFest Orchestra (Ronald Hedlund personal photos)
Conductor Steven Larsen , Flutes Mary Chapman & Amanda Pond, Oboe John Dee , Clarinet Marina Antoline & Carl Johnson, Bassoon Terry Maher & Katie Seidel , Horn Kazimierz Machala & Tony Licata , Trumpet Reed Gallo & Chad Daigle, Trombone Nathan Newman & G David Peters, Timpani Eric Harbeson, Percussion Matt Jaworski, Piano Gordon Wilson, Cello/Producer Barbara Hedlund & Frances Reedy, Double Bass Margaret Briskin
Chamber Orchestra instrumentation - (21 +) conductor, 2 flutes (2nd fl./piccolo), 1 oboe, 2 clarinets (2nd cl./bass clarinet), 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, 2 horns, 2 celli (with optional up to 8),1 double bass, piano or digital piano, 2 percussion (snare drum, bass drum), cymbals (suspended & crash), tom toms (high & low), triangle, bongos,timpani (2 drums), trap set, xylophone, vibraphone
Curtain Calls at the end of the show
Roger Ebert and News Gazette Film Critic & UHS Echo Editor Alex Hedlund
Glen Harriger photo used with permission
Special notice !!! No friend, supporter, business, sponsor, or performer listed on this web page solicited a posting on this tribute page. This page was created in 2007 by 1st Choice Music Services, event sponsor, performer, & co-musical producer. This archival page was built to commemorate the event for performers, composer, audience, and festival participants. The list below expresses our continuous appreciation to friends and supporters who assisted the Champaign Urbana Symphony Orchestra's 2007 Ebert Festival performance. The only implication to be drawn should be one of sincere thanks.
Thanks to the following supporters, friends, and sponsors for 2007 Roger Ebert Film Festival production assistance
● The CU Symphony Management, Board of Directors, & Guild ● William Volk & The Mass Transit District ● Composer Joseph Turrin ● The Ebert Festival & 2007 UI College of Media Staff: Roger Ebert, Nancy Casey, Mary Susan Britt, Dean Ron Yates, & Nate Kohn ● Virginia Theater Stage Manager Mike Frederick ● Liz & Terry Hawkins at Skins N’ Tins Drum Shop ● Ralph Senn & Garcia's Pizza in a Pan ● Dan Wheatman & Schnucks ● Melissa Merli & the News Gazette ● Gary, Tom, & Jeff (last names removed 7.13.2012 to protect these generous sponsors)● CU Theater Company: John Stuff & the late Robert Smith (deceased 2011) ● UI Professor of Jazz Chip McNeil ● UI Professor of Percussion William Moersch ● UI School of Music Events Program Coordinator Ruth Stoltzfus● Bass-baritone/photographer Ronald Hedlund ● Gary O’Brien Popular Master of Ceremonies & Radio Host ● UI Opera Music Director Maestro Eduardo Diazmuñoz ● Eric Harbeson, Percussionist & Music Librarian ● John Frayne & WILL–FM Radio ● 1st Choice Music Services