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The Empire State Theatre & Musical Instrument Museum is proud to announce a special screening of the 1923 classic comedy silent film "Safety Last" starring Harold Lloyd and featuring Dennis James as he performs live on the Mighty Syracuse Wurlitzer Unit Orchestra.“Safety Last” is a 1923 American silent romantic-comedy film starring Harold Lloyd. It includes one of the most famous images from the silent-film era: Lloyd clutching the hands of a large clock as he dangles from the outside of a skyscraper above moving traffic. The film was highly successful and critically hailed, and it cemented Lloyd's status as a major actor in early motion pictures. It’s still popular and viewed today as one of the greatest film comedies. Lloyd performed many of the climbing stunts himself, despite having lost a thumb and forefinger four years earlier in a filming accident. Safety Last was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "Culturally, Historically, or Aesthetically Significant".
Dennis James is no stranger to our Syracuse Wurlitzer, first appearing nearly 50 years ago. His silent film performances are often scored of original music written for the specific film and his musical talents are of the highest in entertainment standards. This afternoon performance is a must-see for audiences of all ages and interests in classic cinema, enjoyed the way they were meant to be.
This program commemorates the centennial of Wurlitzer Opus 1143 – built in August 1925 in North Tonawanda, New York and shipped to the RKO Keith’s Theatre in Syracuse New York. In 1966 this instrument was saved from demolition by dedicated volunteers and relocated to the New York State Fairgrounds where it was completely restored to original factory specifications and has since entertained countless audiences for nearly 60 years. This celebration marks 100 years of one of New York State’s preeminent and historically significant pipe organs used principally for entertainment and the accompaniment of silent films. The Syracuse Wurlitzer is preserved as an original example of the American theatre pipe organ and honored to be placed on National Registry of Historic and Significant Instruments by the American Theatre Organ Society. In 2016, Wurlitzer Opus 1143 was designated as a National Heritage Pipe Organ by the Organ Historical Society and designated as an Organ of Historical Significance, Worthy of Preservation.
Founded in 1966, the non-profit Empire State Theatre & Musical Instrument Museum is chartered by the New York State Board of Regents as an Educational Organization. It is located in the Harriet May Mills Art & Home Center on the New York State Fairgrounds. The Wurlitzer organ was built in 1925 for the former RKO Keith’s Theatre in downtown Syracuse where it was used principally for silent film accompaniment and musical interludes. It was saved and reinstalled permanently in the Empire Theatre at the State Fairgrounds as the centerpiece of the theatre and musical instrument museum.
MORE INFORMATION about the museum is available by email at [email protected] and online at https://www.facebook.com/SyracuseWurlitzer/ , internet at www.syracusewurlitzer.com or by calling (315) 451-6551 Tuesday-Friday 10:00am-6:00pm and Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm or (315) 345-0879.
WHERE / WHEN: Empire Theatre, NYS Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Boulevard, Syracuse NY 13209
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Show Hours: Doors open at 1:30pm, concert starts at 2:00pm
ADMISSION: Non-members - Adults $15.00, Children $5.00 - General seating tickets are available at the door prior to the program. Sorry, we do not accept credit cards - PLEASE BRING CASH!
Event web site: https://www.facebook.com/SyracuseWurlitzer/ and www.syracusewurlitzer.com
Fresh theatre style popcorn and other refreshments will be served before and during intermission. Special tours of the organ pipe chambers will be held following the program.
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Event Venue
581 State Fair Blvd, Syracuse, NY, United States, New York 13209
Tickets
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