The Navigator – Kimball Organ Silent Movie with Organist Clark Wilson

PRESENTED BY FRIENDS OF THE LERNER AND SPONSORED BY THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ELKHART COUNTY

On the opening night of The Lerner Theatre in 1924, the newest of Buster Keaton’s photoplays dawned the silver screen alongside a live accompaniment on the brand-new 1924 Kimball Pipe Organ. One hundred years later, The Lerner celebrates its centennial year with the return of this film and a commemorative performance on the original 1924 Kimball Organ installed for opening night. Join us in celebration of The Lerner’s 100 years at the last installment of The Lerner’s 2024 Silent Film Series featuring “The Navigator.”

Set sail on a nautical adventure like no other as Buster Keaton and his co-star, a colossal steamship, navigate the high seas of hilarity. With Keaton’s trademark deadpan humor and impeccable physical comedy, “The Navigator” will bring an afternoon filled with timeless laughs that resonate across the decades.

Silent movies are anything but silent. Transport yourself into an era where silent cinema reigned supreme as renowned organist Clark Wilson performs this captivating selection live from the historic 1924 Kimball Organ.


Kimball Organist: Clark Wilson

A native of Ohio, Clark Wilson began his musical training at age nine. While growing up he accompanied numerous stage musicals and was organist at several churches. At this time, he was listed in “Who’s Who in the Midwest” and “Men of Achievement”. He also holds Life Member status in the International Tri-M Music Honor Society and is listed in “Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals”.

Following several years with the Schantz Organ Company as a reed voicer and tonal finisher. Clark’s professional playing career began with his appointment to the featured organist post at Pipe Organ Pizza in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He has since been on the playing staffs at the Paramount Music Palace in Indianapolis, Indiana. Pipes and Pizza in Lansing, Illinois, and is currently associated with Organ Stop Pizza in Mesa, Arizona, where he is on the organ staff as well as having assisted with the planning and installation of the world’s largest Wurlitzer organ

About the Instrument:

The 1924 Kimball pipe organ located in Elkhart, Indiana’s Lerner Theatre is one of only three Kimball pipe organs currently installed in its original location. The organ was restored following the 2011 renovation of the theatre which opened on Thanksgiving Day, 1924. After the restoration, a crew of nearly 20 from Bunn-Minnick Pipe Organs of Columbus, Ohio, spent three weeks hoisting equipment and filling the two pipe chambers with more than 1,000 pipes. The project absorbed nearly 10,000 man-hours for the crew over a year.