Here’s proof that Hollywood’s penchant for bringing best-selling books to the silver screen didn’t start with James Bond or Harry Potter. Back in 1917, the beloved children’s novel, A Little Princess, by author Frances Hodgson Burnett, was brought to movie audiences by iconic silent film actress Mary Pickford.
The Somerville Theatre will present a live score screening of the endearing silent classic, A Little Princess, on Monday, October 9 at 7 pm. Harpist-composer Leslie McMichael will accompany the 62-minute film live playing her original score commissioned by Northwest Film Forum for their annual children’s film festival.
Festival director Elizabeth Shepherd said, “Leslie’s score, filled with cleverly repeating themes and stunning interludes, breathed new life into this film from the dawn of cinema, and her energetic performance was also enchanting and brought audiences to their feet at the end of the screening.”
Mary Pickford’s production of A Little Princess, notable for having been adapted by famed screenwriter Frances Marion, was the first film version of Burnett’s 1905 novel. Pickford is perfect portraying plucky heroine Sara Crewe who goes from riches to rags but always maintains her dignity and generous spirit through it all.
Harpist and film composer McMichael has toured across the U.S. playing live score silent film shows and appeared last year at the Somerville Theatre with a performance of her harp-viola score for the silent version of Snow White.
