Why Worry?

What a pleasure it is to see a film at the Capitol Theater that seems to go hand-in-hand with this gorgeous silent-era room's elegant decor. The 1923 comedy Why Worry? stars the always adorable Harold Lloyd as a wealthy hypochondriac. Lloyd's character heads to South America, only to find himself involved in a revolution. Jelani Eddington accompanies the film on the organ.

media release: Looking for a one-of-a-kind Valentine’s Day date idea? Overture Center has just the ticket! Its 2022/23 Duck Soup Cinema series continues with “Why Worry?” on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. in Capitol Theater. This silent-movie-era experience provides hours of laughter and entertainment. Tickets ($9 for adults, $3 for ages 12 and under) are available at overture.org.

Released in 1923, “Why Worry?” stars Harold Lloyd who portrays Harold Van Pelham. This young, wealthy businessman is a true hypochondriac who needs a nurse by his side to make it through the day. To improve his health, Harold decides to take a cruise to a tropical climate to relax. He takes his valet, Mr. Pipps (Wallace Howe), and his personal nurse (Jobyna Ralston) from California to “Paradiso,” a small South American island. Harold doesn’t find the peace and quiet he was looking for in Paradiso, but instead finds a revolution being fought.

After Harold is separated from his valet and nurse and finding himself locked up in jail, he meets Colosso (John Aasen), a huge man with an even bigger toothache. After a jail break, Harold helps relieve Colosso’s pain, and Colosso offers Harold his unwavering support. The film comes from the Harold Lloyd Trust.

Jelani Eddington will accompany the film on the Grand Barton Organ. Joe Thompson will return to emcee the series, complete with lobby acts by Doc the Rube and Wayne the Wizard, vaudeville acts by the Zippity Do Das and James the Magician, prizes and more.

The Duck Soup Cinema silent film series is nationally known for providing an authentic silent film experience in the historic Capitol Theater. Film showings include vaudeville entertainment with an emcee, door prizes and classic feature film with live organ accompaniment by a skilled organist who mirrors the actors’ emotions, just as it was done in 1928.

The final Duck Soup Cinema this season takes place on Saturday, June 3:  

“Ten Nights in a Bar Room” | Saturday, June 3, 2023, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

• In this 1926 melodrama, a man is swindled out of his mill business and turns to drink. After losing his daughter who is hit in the head by a glass during a bar brawl, he is reborn and runs for mayor a couple years later. Based on the popular temperance poem by Timothy Shay Arthur, this rarely-seen version was performed by an African-American cast and features an especially compelling performance by Charles Gilpin. It is the only surviving film produced by the Colored Players Film Corporation of Philadelphia and was mastered from 35mm film elements preserved by the George Eastman House. Starring Charles Gilpin and Myra Burwell.
• An example of a “race film” made for and by Black audiences of the time, these performances will feature special events for ticket holders, including a pre-show virtual workshop with Dr. James Spinks (Department of Afro American Research, Arts and Culture's Archive) exploring Early Afro-American Cinema. Additionally, Dr. Allyson Nadia Fields (University of Chicago) will join the performances as a special guest and lead post-performance talkbacks.
• Organist: Jelani Eddington

Restoration of the Grand Barton Organ began in June 2019. Each stage required careful disassembly of the mechanical units, meticulous cleaning and the replacement and refurbishing of the worn components. The Grant Barton Organ is one of only a few historic theater organs still in its original home and one of three unaltered Barton Organs still in existence. It has been delighting audience members in Capitol Theater since 1928.

Duck Soup Cinema is sponsored by Capitol Lakes Retirement Center. Overture is grateful for this community support that helps make these experiences possible.