Silent Movie Era: New Events Augment ``Old Howard`` Exhibit

Boston, MA–The West End Museum presents two film nights to complement its current exhibit, “The Old Howard Theatre.” The exhibit of photographs, artifacts, and graphic panels runs through February 15, 2020.

Scollay Square: Boston’s Bygone Playground
January 9, 2020 @ 7PM; $10 / Free to Museum Members; Pre-registration required by phone at 617-723-2125

Scollay Square served as Boston’s premier entertainment center for nearly 120 years until its demolition under urban renewal in 1962, later to be reborn as Government Center. Opera and theater gave way to vaudeville and minstrel shows, then burlesque and, ultimately, striptease. “Boston the Way it Was,” a two-part documentary produced by WGBH in 1995, features interviews with Bostonians sharing their favorite memories of Joe & Nemo’s famed hot dogs, “burly” shows featuring “the queen of Scollay Square” Ann Corio, outwitting surprise visits from the “Watch and Ward Society,” and more. (Media note: Download hi-res images here.)

“Scollay Square has served as the setting for a scandalous novel, a magical tale about rats, a video game and more. Hearing and watching Bostonians’ real-life memories of the infamous district provides a fascinating window on the city’s not-so-distant past,” said West End Museum Program Director Sebastian Belfanti.

Silent Movie Night
January 23, 2020 @ 7PM; $10 / Free to Museum Members; Pre-registration required by phone at 617-723-2125

America’s first action film, “The Great Train Robbery” (1903), introduced new filming and editing techniques in the U.S. “Fights of Nations” (1907) depicts highly stereotyped versions of how Mexicans, Irish, Scotts, and others behave in disputes and seemingly how all come together peacefully in America. Viewers continue to debate if the short film is rooted in comedy or xenophobia. In “A Natural Born Gambler” (1916), Bert Williams’ performance reflects the comedic stylings of the early 1900s and signifies the rise of stage stars becoming movie stars. A prominent entertainer and celebrated African American comedian, Williams was seen as irreplaceable by Florenz Ziegfeld of the iconic Ziegfeld Follies. (Media note: Download hi-res images here.)

“These movies would have played at the Howard during a highly transitional period in entertainment. Some featured variety show stars shifting to the new medium, while others hinted at the future of film,” Belfanti said.

About the West End Museum:
The West End Museum is dedicated to the collection, preservation and interpretation of the history and culture of the West End  neighborhood. The Museum’s permanent exhibit, “The Last Tenement,” highlights the immigrant history of the neighborhood through its decimation under Urban Renewal in 1959; two additional galleries feature rotating exhibits. The Museum is located  near North Station at 150 Staniford St. Suite 7. Hours: Tuesday – Friday 12:00pm – 5:00pm; Saturday 11:00am – 4:00pm. Admission is free.