Film+MusikFest: Monty Banks: Play Safe

Film+MusikFest proudly presents “Monty Banks: Play Safe,” a dazzling tribute to the forgotten hero of silent comedy. Follow Virginia, a young heiress of an industrial fortune, as she flees a forced marriage and takes refuge with the poor student Monty. Their budding romance is shattered by a cunning plot orchestrated by her greedy notary, who brings Virginia back and frames Monty for kidnapping. In a thrilling escape, the lovers flee aboard a runaway freight train, speeding through ravines and valleys in a driverless frenzy. Monty must brave perilous adventures to rescue his beloved from the runaway train’s deadly course. This revival is made even richer by the incredible rediscovery of Monty Banks’ lost masterpiece “Play Safe.” For years, only mutilated reels survived the transition to the talkies. Silent‑film maestro Richard Siedhoff uncovered the original 1928 nitrate print in the Federal Archives, catalogued under the German title “Donnerwetter, Monty Banks!” This unique specimen, likely copied from the original European camera negative, shows no visible cracks or damage and is hand‑tinted in three striking colors—blue–green for rain, reddish‑brown for interiors, and sepia for exteriors—exactly as Banks intended. In addition to the restored “Play Safe,” we’ll screen Monty Banks’ 1923 classic “Always Late” (USA) as a delightful companion feature. Join us, and experience the laughter, drama, and cinematic artistry of an Italian icon on the heels of a remarkable preservation triumph. Details & tickets.