Palace of Silents

Oct 3, 2010

1h 17m

★ 6.4

Overview

Built in 1942 by a maverick film preservationist, this small Los Angeles theater championed silent film at the very moment when the Hollywood studios across town were busily destroying their nitrate inventories. With hard chairs, phonograph-record accompaniments, and mostly original vintage prints, the dingy mom-and-pop operation was nonetheless a palace to the fanatical few who became its loyal audience.

Genres

Documentary

History

Production Companies

Cardoza Pictures

Palace of Silents Trailers

Cast

Self (archive footage)

Laurence Austin

Self

Michael F. Blake

Self

Mike Hawks

Self

Charlie Lustman

Hitman

Douglas S. Matthews

Self

Robert Mitchell

Self

Dean Mora

Self

David Slaughter

Self

George Wagner

Self

Valerie Yaros

Self (archive footage)

John Hampton

Self (archive footage)

Dorothy Hampton

After killing a prison guard, convict Robert Stroud faces life imprisonment in solitary confinement. Driven nearly mad by loneliness and despair, Stroud's life gains new meaning when he happens upon a helpless baby sparrow in the exercise yard and nurses it back to health. Despite having only a third grade education, Stroud goes on to become a renowned ornithologist and achieves a greater sense of freedom and purpose behind bars than most people find in the outside world.

7.6

Cinderella Man

Jun 2, 2005

The true story of boxer Jim Braddock who, following his retirement in the 1930s, makes a surprise comeback in order to lift his family out of poverty.

7.6

Gandhi

Dec 1, 1982

In the early years of the 20th century, Mohandas K. Gandhi, a British-trained lawyer, forsakes all worldly possessions to take up the cause of Indian independence. Faced with armed resistance from the British government, Gandhi adopts a policy of 'passive resistance', endeavouring to win freedom for his people without resorting to bloodshed.

5.0

The Creep Behind the Camera

Apr 13, 2014

An exploration of the making of b-movie sci-fi cult classic "The Creeping Terror" and its con-man director Art "A.J." Nelson/Vic Savage.

0.0

I Am Here You Are Not I Love You

Invalid Date

I Am Here You Are Not I Love You follows the writer Aidan Ryan as he attempts to make sense of the work and clues left behind by the late visual artists Andrew Topolski and Cindy Suffoletto, his aunt and uncle, who passed away when he was a teenager.

0.0

I Trollkarlens hatt

Oct 23, 2015

No overview available.

7.5

James Dean: Rebel Generation

Sep 20, 2025

The antithesis of the virile heroes of his era, James Dean shook up the representation of adolescence and masculinity in three films shot in 1955, the same year he died in a car accident at the age of 24—exactly seventy years ago: Rebel Without a Cause, East of Eden, and Giant. This meteoric rise made him an instant icon, frozen in eternal, rebellious youth, which still resonates strongly today.

0.0

Václav Havel - Living in Freedom

Dec 1, 2014

Bohemian, playwright, and suddenly president at the end of 1989: Czech European Václav Havel played a decisive role in shaping the history of the continent in the second half of the 20th century. Andrea Sedláčková recounts Havel's almost novel-like life, drawing on a wealth of archival material. It is a story of dramatic highs and lows, and several defining moments in European history.

7.2

Framing Britney Spears

Feb 5, 2021

Her rise was a global phenomenon. Her downfall was a cruel national sport. People close to Britney Spears and lawyers tied to her conservatorship now reassess her career as she battles her father in court over who should control her life.

0.0

Walkabout to Hollywood

Feb 11, 1980

Produced and directed this documentary for BBC in the 1980’s, about David Gulpilil, acclaimed Australian Aboriginal actor, dancer and musician. The film shows how Gulpilil is always working to bridge the gap between the tribal Aboriginal and Western worlds. He divides his time between a traditional tribal lifestyle and his artistic work, which has included major film roles, collaboration with contemporary dance and music groups and teaching Aboriginal dance and culture. Bill and David travel to Hollywood where David was the most popular Australian in the world at that time, with FOUR films playing in America – WALKABOUT, STORM BOY, THE LAST WAVE and MAD DOG MORGAN. After relating to both the black and native American cultures and filming a quick scene for a big Hollywood picture, he pines to head back through the Outback to his beloved Arnhem Land. Edited by Simon Dibbs and shot by Ray Henman.

7.0

Hi, How Are You Daniel Johnston?

Nov 11, 2015

Daniel Johnston stars in this psychedelic short film about an aging musician coming to terms with the dreams of yesteryear.

7.8

Thomas Hart Benton

Oct 31, 1989

Thomas Hart Benton's paintings were energetic and uncompromising. Today his works are in museums, but Benton hung them in saloons for ordinary people to appreciate.

7.9

Andrei Rublev

Dec 16, 1966

An expansive Russian drama, this film focuses on the life of revered religious icon painter Andrei Rublev. Drifting from place to place in a tumultuous era, the peace-seeking monk eventually gains a reputation for his art. But after Rublev witnesses a brutal battle and unintentionally becomes involved, he takes a vow of silence and spends time away from his work. As he begins to ease his troubled soul, he takes steps towards becoming a painter once again.

6.8

Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band

Feb 21, 2020

A confessional, cautionary, and occasionally humorous tale of Robbie Robertson's young life and the creation of one of the most enduring groups in the history of popular music, The Band.

0.0

Built to Last

Sep 22, 2018

From humble beginnings in a small slate roofed village in Greece to the heyday of America's movie palaces, the Latchis Family built an empire of theatres throughout New England in the hard-scrabble years of the Great Depression. Their story is told through historically accurate footage, photographs and music from the Latchis family, local historical societies and national archives.

7.8

Coco Chanel Unbuttoned

Sep 15, 2023

The story of original influencer Coco Chanel, whose designs still represent the zenith of female sexuality, style and power.

0.0

O Imperfeccionista

Jun 19, 2019

No overview available.

4.4

Lenin in Paris

Nov 1, 1981

1911. Lenin organizes the first Bolshevik party school near Paris, in the small town of Longjumeau. Through a chain of historical parallels and associations, this time is intertwined with the events of the Paris Commune, the October Revolution and the political struggles of the post-revolutionary years.