Free screening of a Buster Keaton classic welcomes students to campus

Buster Keaton and Anne Cornwall star in the silent slapstick classic "College," screening at Cornell Cinema Tuesday, Aug. 22, at 7 p.m.

As another generation of freshmen arrive in Ithaca, Cornell Cinema presents one of the silent era's best comedies about undergraduate life, "College." This slapstick classic will be presented as it was meant to be seen, with live accompaniment by pianist and film scholar Philip Carli.

"College" will be shown Tuesday, Aug. 22, at 7 p.m. in Willard Straight Theatre. New undergraduates and graduate students from any college or university will be admitted for free with ID. Admission for other students, seniors and children 12 and under is $4; general admission is $4.50.

Fast-paced and action-packed, "College" shows off silent film star Buster Keaton's physical talents as he plays a brainy freshman who falls (literally) for a real beauty. When her heart is stolen by a handsome athlete, Keaton closes his books and takes to the field for some hilarious athletic action. He is trampled by baseball players, nearly scalps the dean with a discus and barely makes 3 feet in the high jump, but he manages to pole-vault his way into the young woman's heart.

Pianist Carli, a regular guest at Cornell Cinema who appeared most recently with a restored print of the original "Snow White," started accompanying silent films at the age of 13. He has accompanied films at the George Eastman House in Rochester as well as at numerous festivals throughout North America and Europe. Also a musicologist, Carli has composed scores for a series of classic silent films released by the Library of Congress.