The evening began with a true vaudeville touch: live organ music played by theatre organist, Rosemary Bailey, as guests took their seats, setting the mood for a night of cinematic nostalgia. A Charlie Chaplin impressionist, Adam Meir, worked the crowd, tossing in a few classic "Little Tramp" mannerisms for good measure, before the real show began.Ìý
Then, the star of the night took the stage - not Chaplin himself, of course, but Russ Peck, an extremely talented local organist. A man as charming as he is talented, Peck introduced the films with a warmth that made the night feel personal, as if we were all gathered in some grand living room for a shared moment of joy.
Then, the magic of silent cinema took over. With each perfectly timed musical cue from Peck's historic Wonder Morton theatre pipe organ, Chaplin's antics on screen were elevated to something transcendent. Despite being over 100 years old, these three short films - The Adventurer, The Immigrant and Easy Street - had the audience roaring with laughter, proving that great comedy doesn't age - it just finds new audiences. Watching an entire theater full of people cracking up at Chaplin's absurd, effortless brilliance, you couldn't help but imagine the legend himself seeing this and smiling.
For those who missed this night of cinematic time travel, Silent Movie Mondays is far from over. On , the series continues with organist Ken Double playing the soundtrack for 1920's The Mark of Zorro, starring Douglas Fairbanks, a swashbuckling classic featuring one of the earliest masked vigilantes in film history. Then, on , romance takes center stage with 1926's Flesh and the Devil, starring the great Greta Garbo - again with live accompaniment from Russ Peck.
There are few chances left to experience these silent-era masterpieces as they were meant to be seen: on the big screen, with a live organ score, inside a historic theater built for the era. Whether you're a die-hard cinephile or just looking for a unique night out in San Diego, Silent Movie Mondays is an event very much worth experiencing.
For more information and to secure your tickets to the next show, visit .
There are few chances left to experience these silent-era masterpieces as they were meant to be seen: on the big screen, with a live organ score, inside a historic theater built for the era. Whether you're a die-hard cinephile or just looking for a unique night out in San Diego, Silent Movie Mondays is an event very much worth experiencing.
For more information and to secure your tickets to the next show, visit .
