THE BLASPHEMER from The Secret Cinema

The Secret Cinema presents: THE BLASPHEMER (1921 Dir: O.E. Goebel) with live accompaniment by Don Kinnier, organist extraordinaire. An obscure oddity from the midway point of the silent feature era, THE BLASPHEMER was produced by the mysterious Religious Films Organization, intending to promote spiritual purity. This message is vividly illustrated in the form of seamy melodrama, depicting the downfall of John Harden, a wealthy business magnate who leaves his loving family to pursue his mistress and his greed. Proclaiming at a dinner party that man answers to no one but himself, he goes so far as to challenge God to strike him dead in the middle of a thunderstorm. Instead, Harden is felled by more earthly forces -- and ultimately finds his salvation and righteousness after hitting rock-bottom. The screening will also include unusual silent short subjects.