Watching a Silent Film in 2023
Cover photo by Yaneth Bravo
I was recently scouring Atlas Obscura and came across Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo. Although I live minutes away from this small beach community, this was the first I had heard of this theater.
With my interest piqued, I did a quick Google search and found that Old Town Music Hall shows silent movies accompanied by live music.
I love going to the movies and learning about film history. Thus, watching a silent movie at Old Town Music Hall (with my cousin Yanny in tow) was a no-brainer.
According to The Los Angeles Conservancy, Old Town Music Hall opened its doors in 1921. While initially intended for live performances, it was quickly transformed into a silent movie theater. A Wurltizter pipe organ was installed in the theater in the 1960s. Since then, the theater has shown silent films and sound films. They also occasionally do concerts.
Yanny and I ended up at Old Town Music Hall on a Saturday afternoon to watch a showing of It, a 1927 film starring silent film icon Clara Bow.
Upon entering, volunteers greeted us (Old Town Music Hall is a non-profit). One of these was a kind man named Stirling.
Stirling expressed enthusiasm when I told him it was our first time visiting and said that the goal of Old Town Music Hall was to keep the films from the golden age of cinema alive.
The theater itself is small and stunning. It has the classic aspects of what you would think a movie theater from the 1920s would look like, including red seats, chandeliers, intricate molding, and vintage art.
Renowned organist Christian Elliot played the score for the film and started the show with a medley of music from some of Charlie Chaplin's films.
Before the movie began, he told the audience that the goal of the music was to support the film and represent the action on the screen. This might seem obvious but remember; the film is completely silent. Elliot noted that if he did his job right, we wouldn't even notice the movie had no sound.
Let’s talk about It. The film launched Clara Bow into superstardom and made her known as the “It girl.” Bow plays Betty Lou, a shopgirl with the hots for her handsome, wealthy boss, Cyrus T. Waltham (played by Antonio Moreno). Using her sexuality and her wits, Betty Lou captures Cyrus’ heart.
Photo credit: Yaneth Bravo
Warning: spoilers ahead
As explained by a title card in the film, “It” means having that oomph factor, which Betty Lou has and utilizes to her advantage.
Despite being nearly 100 years old, It felt incredibly fresh and modern. Betty Lou knows she’s that bitch and that capitalism is a bore. More importantly, she knows what she wants and how to get it. She schemes her way into Cyrus’ life, plays hard to get, and eventually lands a marriage proposal (get that bag, sis).
Going into the film, I thought I would likely lose interest in the plot. However, this did not occur, not even for a second.
I was so enthralled by the actor’s facial expressions (especially Bow’s) that I completely forgot that the film was silent and black and white. Title cards, lip reading, and the music fill in the blanks.
The movie is less than 1.5 hours, but so much happened in that short time, including a memorable date on Coney Island that made my heart swoon.
Clara Bow (pictured above) retired from acting in 1933 and died in 1965. I don’t know what she thought of her career or if she knew what a lasting impact her films would have on future generations. I know this is a cliche, but watching It put things into perspective for me.
People from the past are not as different as people are now. The years go by, and technology may evolve, but people in 2023 have the same problems and goals as someone in 1927.
Everyone who starred in It is long dead. However, I found it incredibly beautiful that I could enjoy their presence on screen. Life is short, but with cinema, you can come back to life, even if it’s just for a little while.
So go watch a silent movie. Yes, you’ll bask in the past but also relish the present.
Know before you go:
Old Town Music Hall is located at 140 Richmond Street in El Segundo, California.
There’s plenty of free parking in the area
Tickets are $21
You can check out their schedule with dates and times here
For more information, go to their website
