The Vitaphone Project: A Tribute to Ron Hutchinson - New York City Article

The Vitaphone Project: A Tribute to Ron Hutchinson
Film Forum
209 West Houston St. west of 6th Ave.
Tuesday, May 28, 6:30PM

Ron Hutchinson, who died in February at the age of 67, was one of the great collectors of vintage 1930s music and film, and he was that great rarity, a collector who made a real difference in the world, and who enhanced our appreciation of those art forms more than considerably. As the founder and central force behind the Vitaphone Project, one of the more remarkable “grass-roots” cultural preservation organizations, he not only restored hundreds if not thousands of classic early sound films that otherwise would be lost, but was responsible for their dissemination, on home video and in programs like his regular events at the Film Forum. This particular event may well be titled “Hutch’s Greatest Hits,” and will feature such personal favorites as the dry, surreal Sean & Lee, the almost dada-esque absurd verbal slapstickers, Jimmy Conlin and Myrtle White ("Ah!"), and the ever-lovin’ Baby Rose Marie. If any one figure has completely transformed our understanding of a key era in our cultural heritage, it’s the unassuming, remarkably generous Hutch - whose legacy now extends even beyond the grave. (Plus spoken testimonials, including one by yours truly.)

For more information, click here.