Retroformat Silent Films

06/23/2026

Last year, audiences packed the theater for a weekend of celebrated classics, major restorations, and rarely screened silent-era treasures. This September, the Los Angeles Silent Film Festival returns with another extraordinary lineup.

Because we expect many screenings to sell out again this year, joining our email list is the best way to secure tickets. Sign up at www.losangelessilentfilmfestival.org

06/22/2026

With its focus on sexual harassment, The Social Secretary is a surprisingly modern workplace drama exploring power, vulnerability, and social pressure, predating today's concerns in bold and surprising ways. Written by the legendary Anita Loos (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes), starring Norma Talmadge and Gladden James (Mystery of the Double Cross), plus a very creepy turn by Erich von Stroheim as a society gossip columnist.

100+ silent films, ready anytime. Streaming now in the Retroformat Vault (Patreon). Benefitting the Los Angeles Silent Film Festival. Starting at just $5/month for full access. 👉 https://www.patreon.com/c/retroformatsilents

06/21/2026

The countdown to the 2026 Los Angeles Silent Film Festival has begun.

September 10 - 13, audiences will once again gather at the American Cinematheque at the Los Feliz 3 Theatre for a weekend of silent cinema with live music, including beloved classics, new restorations, and rarely screened discoveries from the silent era.

Our lineup announcement is coming soon, and we strongly recommend joining our email list at www.losangelessilentfilmfestival.org for early access to ticket information before screenings sell out.

06/20/2026

Experience Frank Capra’s early work as audiences did nearly a century ago—with live music and a theater full of movie lovers!

Before he became one of Hollywood’s most celebrated directors, Capra made fast-paced, inventive silent comedies like That Certain Thing (1928) and So This Is Love? (1928). This Sunday, June 21, both films return to the big screen in a rare double feature at Quentin Tarantino’s New Beverly Cinema, accompanied live by Los Angeles Silent Film Festival Musical Director Cliff Retallick.

The event is significant for another reason: despite its reputation as one of the world's premier repertory cinemas, the New Beverly has presented very few silent films throughout its history. Last month, Cliff Retallick became the first musician ever to accompany a silent film live at the theater. A strong turnout for this program could help open the door to more silent film presentations in the future.

If you've ever wished to see silent films featured more often at major venues, this is a chance to help make that happen. One ticket gets you both films, shown on 35mm with live accompaniment.

For tickets, click here: https://thenewbev.com/.../june-21-that-certain-thing-so.../

Pictured: Ralph Graves and Viola Dana in That Certain Thing.

06/19/2026

Charles Rosher, the first cinematographer ever to win an Academy Award, brought all of his artistry to My Best Girl (1927), Mary Pickford’s final silent film. Fresh from his groundbreaking work on F.W. Murnau’s Sunrise (1927), Rosher fills the picture with luminous photography, atmospheric rain-soaked streets, inventive camera work, and some of the most beautiful romantic imagery of the silent era.

A favorite collaborator of Mary Pickford for nearly a decade, Rosher helped shape the visual style of many of her greatest films. His work on My Best Girl earned him an Academy Award nomination and remains a masterclass in silent cinematography.

See My Best Girl (1927), one of silent cinema’s most beloved love stories—and one of its most beautifully photographed films. Streaming now in the Retroformat Vault (Patreon), with original music by Cliff Retallick. Benefitting the Los Angeles Silent Film Festival. 👉 https://www.patreon.com/c/retroformatsilents

06/18/2026

Last year, most screenings at the Los Angeles Silent Film Festival sold out. For 2026, we are planning an even more ambitious festival, with newly restored rarities and iconic masterpieces.

Seating is limited, and early ticket access will go first to those on our mailing list. Visit www.losangelessilentfilmfestival.org to sign up and be among the first to receive lineup announcements and ticketing information.

06/17/2026

Before Frank Capra directed It Happened One Night, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and It's a Wonderful Life, he was making silent comedies for Columbia Pictures. On Sunday, June 21, the New Beverly Cinema will screen two of those early Capra films, That Certain Thing (1928) and So This Is Love? (1928), with live musical accompaniment by Cliff Retallick.

Silent films were created to be experienced with live music, and opportunities to see them that way at a venue as respected as the New Beverly are rare. We hope silent film fans will come out and support the screening.

One ticket gets you both films, shown on 35mm with live accompaniment: https://thenewbev.com/.../june-21-that-certain-thing-so.../

06/16/2026

A Landmark Silent Film Event at Quentin Tarantino’s New Beverly

If you'd like to see more silent films at major venues, this is exactly the kind of event worth supporting. Sunday, evening, June 21, the New Beverly Cinema will present a rare double feature of early Frank Capra silent comedies: That Certain Thing (1928) and So This Is Love? (1928), both accompanied live by Los Angeles Silent Film Festival Musical Director Cliff Retallick.

One of the most influential repertory theaters in the world, the New Beverly has shown very few silent films with live accompaniment. In fact, just last month, Cliff became the first musician ever to accompany a silent film live at the theater.

The success of events like this can help demonstrate that there is an audience for silent films presented with live music, opening the door to many more such screenings in the future.

One ticket gets you both films, shown on 35mm with live accompaniment: https://thenewbev.com/.../june-21-that-certain-thing-so.../

06/15/2026

Silent film fans, take note!

On Sunday, June 21, Quentin Tarrantino’s New Beverly Cinema will present a rare double feature of early Frank Capra silent comedies: That Certain Thing (1928) and So This Is Love? (1928), both accompanied live by Los Angeles Silent Film Festival Musical Director Cliff Retallick.

If you'd like to see more silent films at major venues, this is exactly the kind of event worth supporting. The New Beverly occupies a unique place in film culture, attracting filmmakers, industry professionals, and movie lovers from around the world. Events like this help demonstrate that there is still a strong audience for silent films presented with live music.

One ticket gets you both films, shown on 35mm with live accompaniment. For tickets, click here: https://thenewbev.com/program/june-21-that-certain-thing-so-this-is-love/

New Beverly Theater

06/14/2026

Last year, audiences filled theaters across Los Angeles for a celebration of silent cinema that felt electric, communal, and unforgettable. This year, the Los Angeles Silent Film Festival will be back from September 11 through 13 with more extraordinary screenings and rare discoveries.

Based on last year's response, we expect most of this year's screenings to sell out. To stay informed and be first in line for tickets as we begin revealing this year’s lineup, visit www.losangelessilentfilmfestival.org and join our email list.