Tillie's Punctured Romance
Overture Center-Capitol Theater 201 State St., Madison, Wisconsin 53703
press release: The Duck Soup Cinema season begins on Sat, Oct 19, 2 pm and 7 pm with “Tillie’s Punctured Romance” (1914), considered the first feature length comedy film, starring Marie Dressler and co-stars Charlie Chaplin and Mabel Normand. The film is based on a Dressler stage play, “Tillie’s Nightmare.” Interestingly, Chaplin, with 33 short comedies to his credit, was not the star; instead, Marie Dressler was the featured headliner due to her significant theater career before this film.
In the film, Chaplin portrays a conman who meets Tillie, a plain country girl, and tries to get her money through marriage. When Chaplin and Tillie go to the city, he encounters his girlfriend, played by Mabel Normand, and silliness ensues. Later in the movie, a millionaire uncle names Tillie his only heir setting up some very interesting scenes. The Keystone Kops add to the comedic frenzy and will make audiences roar!
Jelani Eddington is the featured organist. In addition, the performance is complimented by some of Madison’ best vaudeville performers, including Doc the Rube, Wayne the Wizard, Natalie Popp, Ken Lonnquist, Doug Brown, Sarah Marty and Grandma Ruth.
Overture’s Duck Soup Cinema silent film series is nationally known for providing an authentic and rare silent film experience in the historic Capitol Theater, which celebrated its 90th anniversary in January 2018. As these films were released nearly a century ago, please be aware they may depict some of the theatrics and social conventions of the time including material that may be considered socially insensitive today.
For over 30 years, Overture has revived and celebrated the heritage and legacy of Capitol Theater, originally built for silent film and opened in 1928. The two series, ‘Sounds of Silents’ (1986-1998) and ‘Duck Soup Cinema’ (1999-present), have engaged patrons in nearly 95,000 silent film experiences.
Tickets are available at overture.org, at Overture Center’s ticket office at 201 State St. or by calling 608.258.4141. Many shows offer discounted group tickets for orders of 10 or more tickets in the same show/performance. Group requests can be placed now by emailing groups@overture.org or calling 608.258.4159.