Topeka Cathedral Hosts 29th Annual Silent Film Event
The city recently held its long-standing tradition of showcasing silent cinema with live musical accompaniment.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Puppetry
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Grace Episcopal Cathedral in Topeka marked the 29th year of its Silents in the Cathedral event. Attendees watched the 1926 film The Student of Prague accompanied by live organ and percussion.
Why it matters
The event serves as a community tradition in Topeka, originated after cathedral staff sought a spooky silent film experience to celebrate the Halloween season.
The 29th annual edition of the event builds on a history that began with an inaugural attendance of 750 people. The performance featured live organ music by Marvin Faulwell and percussion by Bob Keckeisen.
The players
Marvin Faulwell
He is a musician who provided the live organ accompaniment for the silent film screening.
Bob Keckeisen
He is a percussionist who assisted in providing the live musical score for the cathedral event.
Grace Episcopal Cathedral
It is a prominent Topeka religious institution that serves as the consistent venue for this annual cinematic tradition.
The details
The screening of the 1926 film The Student of Prague required viewers to read intertitles on screen in the absence of spoken dialogue. This presentation format relies on live musicians to synchronize their performance with the vintage footage.
Timeline
The film The Student of Prague was originally released in 1926.
The 29th Silents in the Cathedral event took place on October 30, 2026.
Organizers are planning the 30th annual event for 2027.
Industry Dynamics
This annual gathering reflects a sustained interest in the preservation and presentation of silent-era cinema within local communities. The event's longevity suggests a move toward specialized, live-performance-based cinematic experiences that contrast with modern digital distribution.
Local residents experienced a rare opportunity to view a 1926 classic in a live-scored environment. The event remains a staple of the Topeka community calendar, allowing audiences to engage with cinematic history directly.
The takeaway
Attending live-scored silent films can offer a unique sensory perspective on early 20th-century entertainment. Enthusiasts of film history may look for similar local cathedral or theater screenings to experience the immersive nature of silent-era productions.
What happens next
Organizers are scheduled to host the 30th annual Silents in the Cathedral event in 2027.
Further reading
Explore more local arts coverage in our Puppetry section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KSNT 27.
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