Valentino film to be shown at chapel

HOLYOKE On March 24 at 7 p.m., the United Congregational Church of Holyoke and the Springfield Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will present the immortal 1921 silent film, "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse," starring Rudolph Valentino with live organ accompaniment performed by Peter Krasinski on the great Skinner organ.

Krasinski is currently Director of Choral Arts at Beaver Country Day School in Chestnut Hill, and Artistic Director of Youth pro Musica, the Greater Boston Youth Chorus. He is organist at First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Providence, Rhode Island, and Beth El Temple Center Synagogue in Belmont,

"The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse," with its extended scenes of the devastated French countryside and personalized story of loss, is considered to be among the greatest war films ever made. It won wide acclaim and ranks among the top 100 highest grossing films of all time. The film has held up very well the acting is naturalistic, the story moves at a quick pace, the actors do not wear the heavy make-up that we today associate with the silent cinema in short, this is a very modern film.

Near the beginning of the film is one of cinema's most famous scenes, of Valentino dancing the tango in a waterfront dive in Buenos Aires.

Julio proved a break-through role for Rudolph Valentino, who would go on to become one of the biggest stars of all time. When he died, at the age of 31 on August 23, 1926, several women attempted suicide, and over 100,000 people passed by his open casket to pay their respects at his funeral.

Admission to this presentation is free and open to all. A suggested donation of $8 for adults, and $5 for students and senior citizens will be collected at the door. 100% of all monies collected will be donated to the Pipe Organ Encounter of the Springfield Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

The United Congregational Church of Holyoke is located on the block bounded by Maple, Appleton (Route 141), and High Streets the church address is 395 High Street, and the main entrance of the church is on Maple Street. There is ample free parking.There will be security personnel on hand. The church is fully handicapped accessible.

For further information, including directions to the church, call the church office at: 413-532-1483.