In 2012, City of Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick proclaimed October in Ithaca as Silent Movie Month, a month-long celebration of silent film and Ithaca’s role in early movie making history produced by Wharton Studio Museum in collaboration with many local organizations.  Join WSM each October for screenings, exhibits, and events at Cornell Cinema, Cinemapolis, and many other local venues.

 

SILENT MOVIE MONTH 2024

(You Look Like) Clara Bow: Cornell Cinema Film Series
Co-Sponsored by Wharton Studio Museum & Cinemapolis

In honor of Silent Movie Month in Ithaca, Cornell Cinema is delighted to spotlight actress Clara Bow — the original “It Girl” and one of the biggest movies stars of the 1920s, who soared back into our collective consciousness after Taylor Swift named a song after the actress on her 2024 album The Tortured Poets Department.

Friday, October 11, 6 PM
Wings (1927, dir. William Wellman)
Cornell Cinema in Willard Straight Hall on Cornell University’s campus

Saturday, October 26, 4:30 PM *Double Feature*
It (1927, dir. Clarence G. Badger)
The Pill Pounder (1923, dir. Gregory La Cava)
with Live Score by Philip Carli 
Cornell Cinema in Willard Straight Hall on Cornell University’s campus

Monday, October 28, 8 PM
Dancing Mothers (1926, dir. Herbert Brenon)
Cinemapolis
FREE

 

L’Inferno at Sage Chapel: Live Score by Montopolis

This Halloween season, Cornell Cinema is delighted to welcome Montopolis to Sage Chapel for a live screening of L’Inferno (1911)! An adaptation of Dante’s classic journey through hell, this masterpiece of silent film employs elaborate costumes, special effects, and set design to create an awe-inspiring and ethereal world.

Wednesday, October 16, 7 PM
Sage Chapel on Cornell University’s campus

 

Historic Theater Walking Tour

Join Historic Ithaca and Wharton Studio Museum and relive Ithaca’s movie palace heyday on a guided walking tour of its historic theaters and their original locations. We’ll stop at many of the theater buildings that are still standing — along with the locations of theaters that no longer exist — and delve into Ithaca’s heyday as the “biggest little movie city,” when our very own Wharton, Inc. Studios produced many of the movies that were being shown in these downtown theaters one hundred years ago.

Saturday, October 19, 10 AM
Meet outside of The History Center of Tompkins County at 110 N Tioga St. on The Commons

 

IT GIRL and the NEW WOMEN of the Early 20th Century: Multimedia Presentation

Multimedia presentation about some of the female figures of the silver screen from 1915-1925, including footage from the Wharton Studio.  What exactly is an “It Girl”? Who were the “New Women” of the silent era? Presented by local WRFI talk show host and film enthusiast Roger Kimmel Smith.

Saturday, October 19, 2 PM
Cinemapolis
Free & for all ages
Co-Sponsored by Cinemapolis

 

Science Connections: Making Silent Movies with Flipsticks!

Unleash your creativity and step back in time as we bring the magic of silent movies to life with flipsticks! Join us for an unforgettable afternoon to demonstrate the art & science of silent movie making!

Sunday, October 20, 2-3 PM
Sciencenter
Free with Museum Admission
Open to all ages

 

Take Two: Revitalizing the Historic Wharton Studio Building in Stewart Park: Exhibit

Wharton Studio Museum’s permanent exhibit at the Tompkins Center for History & Culture on the Ithaca Commons. Take Two focuses on plans to develop the lake facing section of the historic Wharton Studio Building into the Wharton Studio & Café, featuring installations about the role Ithaca and the Wharton, Inc. Studio played in early American moviemaking. Design development on the project is in full swing! This exhibit is open all year long.