Silent films with piano accompaniment delight audience at Café Rosenkranz in Basel
Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd, the two silent movie stars from the 1920s thrilled an audience of about 50 people at Café Rosenkranz in Basel on Saturday, February 11. Punctually at 3:00 p.m., the first guests of the Hearing Aid Center Northwestern Switzerland arrived at the café and were greeted by barrel organist Peter Rohrer ("Wunderwelt der mechanischen Musik") at the entrance door. A newspaper boy distributed a new edition of the "Swiss Monthly Bulletin for the Hard of Hearing" of Jan. 1, 1923.
The @cafebar.rosenkranz , known for its stylish atmosphere from the 1920s, is the ideal place for a cozy aperitif, where guests could get to know each other and exchange ideas. After a welcoming speech by the managing director @Bernhard_hanisch, the chairs were moved shortly before 16:00 and it was time for "Film off!". As a professional film operator, Christian Hilzinger provided an authentic cinema atmosphere. The room was quickly filled with the aroma of a historic popcorn machine. Cups of fresh popcorn were quickly passed through the audience. Finally, Johannes Fankhauser, a professional church organist from Therwil, took his seat at the piano and courageously took hold of the keys. The cinema afternoon reached its climax.
After one hour and two films, coffee and cake were offered during the break. After that, the show continued with two more films. It was wonderful to see the hilarious laughter of the audience, which was always infected by each other's laughter due to the presented slapstick scenes. At 19:00 the fourth and last film ended. Relaxed and happy, a cheerful audience made its way home. In the meantime, it had become dark in the alleys of the St. Johann quarter.
