Georgia
Silent Film Comedy: History, Music and Laughter on Georgia’s Jekyll Island
Program No. 24844RJ
Experience the past, from music to film to accommodation by exploring the history of silent film comedy in the Gilded Age splendor of Jekyll Island.
Participant Reviews
Based on 7 Reviews
SHOWING
The music performed by the instructor brought the films to life and gave the mood of each scene.
— Review left February 16, 2026
This is an excellent program with two great leaders, Jeff and Anne. The history, facts, and background presented a great framework before viewing a film.
— Review left February 7, 2026
This event will teach you about Jekyll Island's history, and silent films and its rag time music accompaniement. I recommend a pre-trip Savannah with a visit to its First African Baptist Church and its historic Synagogue, Congregation Mickve Israel.
— Review left June 18, 2025
My first Road Scholar experience was outstanding! I couldn’t wait to see what Jeff and Anne would present each day - It was a lively and enthusiastic course, and they made the subject truly come to life.
— Review left June 13, 2025
The program “Silent Film Comedy: History, Music and Laughter on Georgia's Jekyll Island “was enlightening, entertaining, and educational. As a bonus, the setting of Jekyll Island, Georgia was beautiful and perfect. We loved staying at this beautiful place.
I feel our instructors did a wonderful job presenting information of Silent Film stars, such as Fattie Arbuckle, Harold Lloyd, and Charlie Chaplin, showcasing life throughout their film careers, discussing Influences on their acting.and discussing how being a well recognized Silent film star Impacted their lives.
The film clips that were presented showcasing each stars’s talents, acting style, and evolution of their skills over time highlighted well the topics we discussed in lecture. And Jeff’s live piano accompaniment to the silent film clips was nothing short of astounding., He brought further suspense to the many antics of those funny silent film stars, whether it be being chased by a train, rescuing a damsel,, or dangling from a tall building! It was made all the more thrilling, suspenseful, tender, or whatever the mom called for, by Jeff’s accompaniment.
— Review left February 19, 2025
The "Silent Film Comedy" is a new program developed and presented by Jeff and Anne Barnhart, who are fantastic Jazz musicians known as "Ivory and Gold". We learned that there were many technical innovations in making silent movies that led to techniques developed for making sound movies. Jeff is a musical genius and improvised all of the piano music to accompany every scene. Anne is a master at organizing and projecting the movies and scenes to match Jeff's explanations. All movie events were in the large "Ballroom" and ended conveniently with a buffet lunch. This is a wonderful program!
— Review left February 11, 2025
If you are a movie buff or have an interest in the history of cinema, this will be a special week of learning. The instructors, Jeff and Anne, have put together a varied and wonderful learning program, complete with many of the short, silent movies of the early 1900s. The setting, at the Jekyll Island Club, could not be more beautiful or welcoming. Sign up!
— Review left February 8, 2025