United States 1923Language:SilentDirector:Fred C. Newmeyer, Sam TaylorMusic:Carl Davis (1989)With:Harold Lloyd, Mildred Davis74 min, Black and white

Staatsorchester Braunschweig

Conductor: Helmut Imig

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the cooperation between the Braunschweig International Film Festival and the Braunschweig State Orchestra, the traditional opening concert will take place in the festive cinema 8 at the Astor. The 36th BIFF kicks off with SAFETY LAST! (1923), the ultimate pinnacle of the thrill comedy subgenre developed by comedian Harold Lloyd. Burned into the collective memory is the scene that graced the cover of the 12th film festival catalogue: Harold hanging from the clock over the precipice. Carl Davis, guest of honour at the 20th BIFF, drew inspiration for his new composition for SAFETY LAST! from the popular music of the 1920s. Harold's attempts to make a career as a salesman in a big city department store are not crowned with success. But this reads quite differently in his letters to his girlfriend who has stayed in his rural home. When she pays him a surprise visit, Harold makes crazy efforts to catch up on his career in a hurry.

FILMPHILHARMONIC EDITION

Film print supplied by Faber Music, London on behalf of Harold Lloyd Entertainment, Inc. Print restoration by the UCLA Film & Television Archive, the Packard Humanities Institute, and Criterion / Janus Films, in partnership with Harold Lloyd Entertainment, Inc.

Music commissioned by Thames Television for Channel 4

Performed by arrangement with Faber Music, London on behalf of Carl Davis.

Photo: © Harold Lloyd Entertainment Inc. Faber Music Ltd