Museum transforms Annual Showcase into a weekend-long virtual experience
The Catalina Island Museum has transformed its 33rd Annual Silent Film Showcase into a weekend-long virtual experience for all to be able to enjoy one of the world’s longest-running annual celebrations of silent film from the comfort and safety of their own homes.
Starting Friday, May 15, through Sunday, May 17 at 1 p.m. each day, the museum will host the silent film festival on Facebook Live (@catalinamuseum) and will feature a screening of silent films Mud and Sand and Seaside Simps. On Sunday, May 17 the museum will present a guest lecture on “The Curse of Valentino’s Ring,” believed to be connected to his tragic death.
On Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16 at 1 p.m. the showcase will feature a screening of Mud and Sand and Seaside Simps on Facebook Live with musical accompaniment by composer and pianist Michael Mortilla. Mud and Sand is Stan Laurel’s comedic spoof on Blood and Sand, which would have been the feature film to be played during this year’s showcase. Seaside Simps was filmed on Catalina Island in 1923 and was recently restored by the Library of Congress. The museum will be the first on Catalina Island to screen it since it was originally filmed there.
On Sunday, May 17 at 1 p.m. the museum presents “The Curse of Valentino’s Ring,” a guest lecture by Laura Macfehin on Rudolph Valentino’s “Ring of Destiny.”
