Encinitas chooses Mary Pickford as subject for first Silent Film Festival
It’s not often that silent films are shown these days,especially not in real movie theaters with live accompaniment. ButJudith Montague is hoping to change that with Encinitas’s firstSilent Film Festival.
“It all started because I wanted to make use of the communityroom in the Encinitas Library,” said Montague, an Encinitasresident who co-founded the theater 6th@Penn and produced plays atthe Fritz Theater. “It’s such a gorgeous venue. So I decided tohave a silent film festival. There are so many silent films beingdiscovered and restored, but no place to see them.”
After a bit of research, she discovered the connection betweensilent film superstar Mary Pickford and Encinitas. Pickford had notonly made films in the area, she also spent much time in what isnow Fairbanks Ranch with her husband and fellow actor, DouglasFairbanks, Sr.
In fact, Montague uncovered the story that Pickford was the starattraction at the 1928 opening of the La Paloma Theatre andtraveled there on her bicycle (the latter part of the story, sheadmits, is probably not true as she hasn’t found evidence to verifyit). So when the festival’s announcement drew quite a bit ofenthusiasm, as well as the support of the Mary Pickford Institutein Los Angeles, she decided to change the venue to the La PalomaTheatre.
“Mary Pickford was an amazing person,” said Montague, who beganthe Encinitas Library Readers Theatre in 2008. “She wrote, edited,acted and produced films. She went on to form United Artistsstudios (with Fairbanks and Charlie Chaplin). We have one of herbriefcases on exhibit and it’s worn to the nub. She didn’t leave itunder the Christmas tree ---- she used it.”
The festival will include four of Pickford’s most famous filmsas well as an equal number of shorts. On Friday, the short is”Willful Peggy,” and the feature is “My Best Girl.” On Saturdayafternoon, the short is “The New York Hat” and the feature isprobably her best-known film (and the one that led to her playingso many children), “Annie Rooney.”
Saturday evening, the short is “The Trick That Failed” and thefeature is “The Little American.” The Sunday short is “They WouldElope” and the feature is “Sparrows.”
The films will be accompanied on piano by silent film expert andcomposer Robert Israel. Hugh Neely, curator at the Mary PickfordInstitute, will introduce the features and provide a bit ofbackground.
The Encinitas Library, the original inspiration for thefestival, won’t be left out. Neely will present a free lecture at 4p.m. Saturday at the library, as well as a screening of hisdocumentary “Mary Pickford: A Life on Film.” And an exhibit ofPickford’s mementos and memorabilia will also be on display at thelibrary all month. The library is at 540 Cornish Drive.
“There is so much art in these films,” Montague said. “But itwasn’t called art then. It was about entertainment and getting theaudience back the next Saturday. I’m hoping that more people willappreciate them after this. These films are an important part ofAmerican history.”
Silent Film Festival
When: 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday; 6 p.m. Sunday
Where: La Paloma Theatre, 471 S. Coast Highway, Encinitas
Tickets: $10 per film; $30 all films
Info: (760) 436-7469
Web: www.etcinfo.net