MUFFApproved: Chicago
Toronto Silent Film Festival co-presented with MUFF Society Toronto
Last year, the Toronto Silent Film Festival asked MUFF if we would like to co-present WHY BE GOOD with them and we were quick to respond with “yes!” This year, we teamed up again for Chicago and Little Annie Rooney.
Andrea (MUFF communications) and I (HERstory producer) drove out to Fox Theatre on a beautiful Sunday afternoon and witnessed the glorious Chicago (1927).
First of all, the live accompaniment was performed by Toronto musician Jordan Klapman. KUDOS to Jordan for playing exquisitely for two hours straight!
Now, about the film? Well, we loved it! So much humour and the sexualization of legs stands as a stark contrast to today’s fascination with the gluteus maximus!
After the film, both Andrea and I agreed that though Roxie Hart is a renegade character, the film never sets out to punish her. This isn’t some Hitchcockian fantasy wherein the blond woman gets punished throughout the course of the film. The women in Chicago never apologize and as such, at least for me, represented such strong female characters that are only starting to emerge today (“starting”).
Can you imagine that the film industry back in 1920s had MORE women working in production and stronger characters on screen? It seems crazy to even entertain the notion but it is true. Once the studio system took over, a lot of talented women were pushed out of an industry that owes them a massive thank you for all the early successes.
Here’s to all those talented women. We remember you today and will never forget all your hard work, dedication, and sheer bad-assery! (yes I made that word up…)
And a shoutout to the Toronto Silent Film Festival who keeps the magic alive for everything to enjoy. The full house was a testimony to the ongoing support for the community to these silent icons!
LOVE.
We hope you’ll join us at the April 23rd screening of Little Annie Rooney, produced and written by and staring Canadian screen icon Mary Pickford! (We’re also giving away tickets on our website, ahem.)
