Presented by the American Cinematheque and Retro Format Films on 8mm Mary Pickford enchants in a fascinating evening of short films by pioneers D.W. Griffith and Thomas H. Ince, including her first starring role in “The Violin Maker of Cremona” (1909), “Sweet and Twenty” (1909), “Artful Kate” (1911), “Lena and the Geese” (1912), “A Beast … [Read more…]
This pioneering aviation picture put William A. Wellman’s career in high gear after directing silents for various studios. It drew heavily on his own World War I experience as an American flyer for the Lafayette Escadrille. The technically demanding shoot was based in San Antonio, Texas, where Wellman and hundreds of army personnel and extras … [Read more…]
Retroformat returns with a tribute to Sir Charles Chaplin, featuring an array of classic shorts, including the immortal Tramp’s debut in Kid Auto Races at Venice (1914) and a Centennial Screening of The Tramp (1915). Plus…Hollywood’s classic first feature-length comedy, Tillie’s Punctured Romance (1914) starring Chaplin, Marie Dressler and Mabel Normand, directed by Mack Sennett. 150 minutes.
The UCLA Film and Television Archive Festival of Preservation In-person: Jere Guldin, senior film preservationist, UCLA Film & Television Archive.Live musical accompaniment provided by Cliff Retallick. My Best Girl (1927) After nearly 15 years as the silver screen’s reigning “Queen of the Movies,” Mary Pickford lovingly concluded her silent movie career with one of her … [Read more…]
Sherlock Jr.,” 1924, Cohen Media, 45 min. Buster Keaton’s sublime comedy about reality and illusion, in which projectionist Buster literally dreams himself into the detective movie he’s screening! A film with myriad technical feats (including the illusion of Keaton “climbing” into a movie screen). Keaton reportedly broke his neck during filming while performing a dangerous stunt … [Read more…]
The Cinefamily at the Silent Movie Theatre presents: THE SILENT TREATMENT: MOLLY O. (1921) – starring Mabel Normand. Produced by Mack Sennett. Molly falls in love with a famous bachelor, and when she and his fiancee wear a similar costume to a masked charity ball, Molly is thrust into his arms.
According to Clara Bow, the Twenties’ “It” girl herself: “the best silent picture I ever made”. Proving she wasn’t just a pair of bare ankles, the then-20-year-old took it upon herself to upgrade her scripted Mantrap character Alverna from boring and drab to a flirtatious minx. Clara foregrounds a delicious love triangle amongst a charming … [Read more…]
Baby Peggy, “Hollywood’s Tiny Titan,” stars as the adorable Captain January, a shipwrecked orphan taken in and raised by kindly lighthouse keeper Jeremiah Judkins. When the local townsfolk become concerned about the elderly Judkins’ ability to care for little January, she is determined to find a way to stay with her beloved guardian, in this … [Read more…]
For a feller who claimed to vastly prefer working with male actors rather than female ones, director William Wellman certainly knew how to construct a lush romantic lark. After a string of dusty oaters in the first half of the Twenties (and before the machismo of films like Wings, The Public Enemy and The Call … [Read more…]
Crescenta Valley’s Silent Movie Man, Joe Renaudo, will use his vintage hand cranked silent movie projector to entertain everyone with Christmas/winter themed movies. Live music by Cliff Retallick will accompany the silent movies. Bring a snack or treat to share. Drinks will be provided Enjoy the historical photos on display Local history books, all signed … [Read more…]