On Saturdays, July 16, 23 and 30, Heritage Square Museum presents its annual Silent and Classic Movie Nights series. The museum will feature films that include some of the most recognizable male stars of Hollywood, and some never before seen silent shorts provided by Flicker Alley.
On July 16, “Beyond the Rocks” (1922), a classic silent move starring Rudolph Valentino and Gloria Swanson, and directed by Oscar winning director Sam Wood will be screened. A story of love and duty finds Theodora, a young and penniless aristocrat, marrying a much older millionaire to make sure her family lives comfortably. However, soon after the wedding, she finds herself falling in love with another wealthy man she encounters in the rich social circuits of the Swiss Alps, Paris, London, and the English countryside.
Showing on July 23 is “Badlands of Dakota” (1941), a film featuring a legendary cast including Robert Stack, Ann Rutherford, Lon Chaney Jr., Frances Farmer, Addison Richards and Richard Dix. During the blackest, boldest days of the West we find Deadwood City, “a roaring capital of an empire of lawlessness.” Robert Stack was the great-grandson of William Hayes Perry, whose 1876 residence, the Perry Mansion, now stands at Heritage Square Museum.
Finally on July 30, Film Noir classic “Kiss Me Deadly” (1955) starring Ralph Meeker, Albert Dekker, Paul Stewart, Cloris Leachman, and Jack Elam will be shown. Filmed in historic Downtown LA locations such as Bunker Hill, Mickey Spillane’s iconic character Mike Hammer is caught in a whirlpool of mystery revolving around a doomed female hitchhiker he tries to help.Special, never before seen silent shorts courtesy of Flicker Alley will be shown before each film.
Sponsored by Vidéothèque and Flicker Alley, admission to the Silent and Classic Movie Nights is free for Museum Members and a $10.00 for the General Public. Gates open at 7:30 p.m. for picnics with the show starting each Saturday after 8:00 p.m. These special screenings will take place on the lawn near the Palms Depot.
Guests are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets to sit on, a small picnic to eat before the movies begin, and warm clothing. Beverages and snacks will be available with suggested donation.
