Most people alive today have never seen a silent film in a theater.  Save for TCM, silent films have vanished from television and, while long available in 8mm, on VHS, and DVD, prints are often bad.  Most silent films are in the public domain and anyone can sell a commercial print, good or bad.

 

     If you know anything about silent film at all, you will have heard of Lon Chaney's The Phantom of the Opera.  Released in 1925, it offers Lon Chaney as the hideous skull-like phantom, lush sets (some still in use), and a cast of thousands.  Though shot in black and white, it features an entire scene in two-strip Technicolor-you will be surprised-and a hand tinted scene where only one object is in color.

 

     There were so many edits to The Phantom of the Opera, it is difficult if not impossible to find a definitive version, but in 2003, Milestone Film and Video and Image Entertainment produced an ultimate edition of the film which featured several restored versions.  Our presentation comes from this set.

 

 

     Alternating with the Tuesday night movies we have also started a late lunch program.  Our Tuesday late lunches are at 2PM, late enough to miss the crowds, early enough for lunch prices!  Come to our late lunch and eat a late, light supper.