Wolverhampton charity screening for Buster Keaton masterpiece

Wolverhampton's Light House cinema is set to screen Buster Keaton's silent, comic masterpiece The Navigator, with a live organ accompaniment, in aid of the mayor's charities.

Proceeds from the event will go to Compton Hospice, The Alzheimer's Society (Wolverhampton Branch), and The Acute Medical Ward for Dementia (The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust).

City organist Steve Tovey will provide an accompaniment of music and sound for the film.

The screening will take place on Tuesday, March 6, at 6pm. Tickets cost: £7 adult / £5 under 15's. To book tickets contact Light House Box Office on 01902 716055 or visit www.light-house.co.uk

The Navigator sees wealthy Rollo Treadway (Buster Keaton) suddenly decide to propose to his neighbour across the street, Betsy O'Brien (Kathryn McGuire). Rollo subsequently sends his servant to book passage for a honeymoon sea cruise to Honolulu.

However, Rollo's sudden proposal is rejected by Betsy, forcing him to take the trip alone, boarding without delay that night. A farcical turn of events means Rollo ends up boarding the wrong ship, The Navigator; a ship which has coincidentally been sold by Betsy's father (Frederick Vroom) to a small country at war.

Agents for the enemy in the conflict decide to set the ship adrift that same night. When Betsy's father checks up on the ship, he is captured and tied up by the saboteurs. Betsy hears his cry for help and boards the ship to look for him, just before it is cut loose.

The young and pampered Rollo and Betsy struggle to look after themselves, become embroiled with the strange natives on a mysterious tropical island, deep sea dive in efforts to fix the damaged ship and hilariously fail to secure their saviour by passing vessels.

Recognised as one of Buster Keaton's finest works, The Navigator was voted amongst the American Film Institute's 100 funniest movies of the century in 2000. A hilarious indictment of the idle rich, the film provides notable performances from the legendary Buster Keaton, whose unique brand of physical humour is guaranteed to deliver dozens of side-splitting laughs; and Kathryn McGuire, whose endearing gawkiness and deadpan style make her the perfect foil for Keaton's genius.

Light House's screening of The Navigator follows the recent success and growing interest in silent film. The film will also feature an improvised organ accompaniment from Steve Tovey, whose expert reproduction of the classic 'Mighty Wurlitzer' sound of the era is certain to add another stunning dimension to Keaton's masterpiece.

The screening of The Navigator will take place in the presence of The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Bert Turner and the Mayoress, Mrs. Kath Turner.