CHICAGO — Several neighborhood groups are teaming up open a rare portal into the Golden Age of Hollywood on Friday with a free outdoor showing of Charlie Chaplin's 1921 silent classic "The Kid" in Jefferson Memorial Park, 4822 N. Long Ave.
After being repeatedly passed over as a site for the Chicago Park District's Movies in the Parks series, the Jefferson Park Memorial Park Advisory Council bought their own projector and screen, organizers said.
Silent Film Society of Chicago musician Jay Warren will tow an organ out onto the grass and play the silent film's corresponding score, according to advisory council member Frank Suerth.
The showing — which is co-sponsored by the Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce and the Jefferson Park Sunday Market — was organized to introduce "silent films and Charlie Chaplin to a whole new generation," Suerth said.
"I think the younger audience will find that 'acting without words,' but with music, will not take anything away from the movie that they are used to viewing, and they will be able to follow the plot," Suerth said.
Organizers said they'll start the film at dusk Friday; sundown will be at 8:28 p.m. that evening.
