MISSION STATEMENT
TO PRESERVE
SILENT CINEMA ART AND TECHNOLOGY
AND PRESENT
REENACTMENTS OF ITINERANT
MOVING PICTURE SHOWS
Welcome to the Silent Cinema Society. This is a community of, by and for everyone who is fascinated and entertained by the history, science, talent, machinery, preservation, presentation and of course the films of the silent cinema era.
Whether it’s the education, entertainment or involvement that you are here for, welcome to the Silent Cinema Society. Sit back and “enjoy the show” on each page of this website. You are welcome to hiss and boo (in other words, leave some comments). And ladies, please remove your hats.
Please subscribe (below) to the Newsreel, the newsletter of the Silent Cinema Society. You will be informed of special events and articles pertaining to silent cinema.
This website is just the pixelated portion of the commitment each of us has in keeping silent cinema alive. Many of us actually splice film, refurbish titles, oil projectors, and hand-crank the entire show. Some of us induce emotion, whether comical or tragic, on the pipe organ or piano. Some provide the venues—from grand theatres and pipe organs to grass seats and garage walls—for the itinerant projectionist to entertain his audience.
Many of the audience members are already fans of silent cinema, but what’s especially rewarding is when those who are introduced for the first time say they enjoyed it even more than today’s movies and TV shows. That’s the real pay-off. Hopefully all of us will share our enthusiasm with others, keeping the interest in silent cinema alive for generations to come.
The Silent Cinema Society website is intended to serve many purposes:
- Enlighten and entertain regarding the history (and trivia) of the silent cinema era.
- Share technical tips on the preservation and presentation of film, projectors, fotoplayers, and anything related to silent cinema.
- Eventually a non-profit will be established to enable us to keep doing what we love: researching, collecting, restoring, educating and entertaining.
- Most of all, the Silent Cinema Society was founded to gather a community where we can swap stories, exchange ideas, learn techniques, trade films, find resources, and make new friends.
Whether you are an industry professional, hobbyist, film student, or novice with a flicker of interest in the silent magic lantern, thank you for joining us.
Read about the founder, Joe Rinaudo, here.
My father was friends with Doty Hobart – or as we called him “Uncle Doty” from the early forties until his death in 1958. As I was only eight years old when he died, I had no idea on how important he was in the early days of Silent Film & theater.
However, I’ve recently come across many post cards, letters, & photos of Doty that I have recently retrieved from my family home.
I’d like to share them, & make sure that a small part of his personality is expanded through sites such as yours.
Please let me know if you’r interested in the memorabilia I have rescued.
Hope to hear from you soon, & thanks in advance,
I have a lot of music cards from the silent movies that my grandfather got from someone that worked at the studios. I don’t know what to do with them
hi Joe,
i’D LIKE TO JOIN ON REGULAR BASIS.
THX,
TOM
We have a 1929 Vaudeville Theatre in my town of Miami, Ok. Bi-yearly we show silent films with the original score being played on our historic 1929 Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre organ. It is played by renowned artist Dennis James. Our next production is April 9 & 10th. We will be showing “Blood and Sand” with Rudolph Valentino. Check us out at: thecolemantheatre.org or on Facebook. We would like to invite all of you to come visit out fabulous theatre.
Dear Joe,
I was recently going through some family papers and found a photo of my great grandfather, who was a minor theater actor in NYC, in a scene labeled “Emily Stevens, The Slacker, Metro.” I am a silent film fan and am very intrigued by the possibility that I might be able to watch my long-deceased g-grandparent on film, but so far I haven’t been able to track down The Slacker. Wikipedia states the film is at George Eastman House, but I’ve checked with their archivist and that’s not correct. I did find the entry for the film on the Library of Congress’s American Silent Feature Film Survival Database, which was the source for the note in Wikipedia, and, as of it’s last update in 2016, it states this film survives with the studio. The MGM library is now owned by Warner Bros., so if this film survives, it may now be retained by WB. Now I’m stumped! Do you by any chance know how to do research at WB about their silent film catalogue and how to access it? Thank you, Ruthie
I have recently located some N Power Co 35mm Cameragraph parts. Don’t know if this is any interest to anybody. Dont know much about it besides its electric with 2 big power switches a variable speed clutch and wooden pulleys. I can be reached at 6608532930
Dear Joe,
It was wonderful meeting you yesterday. Thank you for coming. I really loved your enthusiasm for my play. You mentioned David Shepard’s associate who funds silent projects. I was wondering if you could forward his name and if you have any contact information. I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.
I’m now editing the tape of my play. I had it filmed two weeks ago. I’m hoping to get it on tv and or a cable venue. Plus I’m going to submit it to different theatre festivals across the country.
I love your website and your Silent Cinema Society, I hope to see you there soon.
Best wishes,
Susan