The Dodge Brothers

(postponed due to coronavirus) HippFest is delighted to welcome the Dodge Brothers and Neil Brand back to the Hippodrome Bo’ness for the Scottish premiere of their new live musical accompaniment of City Girl. A lushly romantic drama directed by F.W. Murnau – one of the most celebrated figures of the silent film era. Best-known for Nosferatu and Sunrise, Murnau’s last Hollywood film before his early death in 1931 is this cautionary tale about the clash between city and urban life. Tall, dark, handsome star Charles Farrell plays Lem, a farmer’s son who travels to the Big City, where he falls in love with Mary Duncan’s disenchanted waitress, Kate. Lem brings his new gal home to meet the folks, but his dominating dad (David Torrence) and the pack of leering farmhands put the young couple’s love to the test. Evoking the surreal dreaminess of German Expressionism and bringing to mind the ravishing beauty of Terrence Malick’s Days of Heaven this is an overlooked masterpiece of the late silent era, deserving a new audience With a line-up featuring Mike Hammond (lead guitar, banjo), broadcaster and film critic Mark Kermode (bass, harmonica), Aly Hirji (rhythm guitar, mandolin) and Alex Hammond (percussion), they are joined by fifth Dodge Brother Neil Brand this show is sure to be a highlight of HippFest’s milestone 10th edition. Dir. F. W. Murnau / US / 1930 / b&w / English inter-titles / 1h 28m With: Charles Farrell, Mary Duncan, David Torrence