Although the Friends of the Brandon Town Hall group no longer officially exists, after our 26 years of renovations and restorations and the success of last year’s silent movie series, we decided to continue sponsoring the seven silent movies for 2026. This will be our 15th year holding the series with the very talented Jeff Rapsis on keyboard.
This free-will donation event will take place in the wonderfully restored town hall in Brandon, which features great acoustics. Donations are accepted and appreciated, and all money raised (from both donations and concessions sales) will be used to sponsor the seven silent movies scheduled for 2027.
Saturday, May 2, 2026, 7 p.m.…”Annie Laurie” (1927), starring Lillian Gish. Rarely screened MGM epic about Scottish clan battles featuring silent era megastar Lillian Gish as the leading lady while legions of men do battle in kilts. Highlighted by a legendary cliffhanger climax!
Saturday, June 13, 2026, 7 p.m.…”The Kid” (1921), starring Charlie Chaplin and a very young Jackie Coogan. This is a repeat from 2010 & 2014 but solidifies Chaplin’s breakthrough in comedy/drama. “The Kid” finds The Tramp raising an infant, against all odds, highlighted by the amazing work of five-year-old Jackie Coogan. Great prep for Father’s Day!
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 7 p.m.… “The Black Pirate” (1926) starring Douglas Fairbanks Sr., the granddaddy of all pirate films. Fairbanks plays an athletic young aristocrat who seeks revenge by joining the pirate band responsible for his father’s death. Filmed in color!!
Saturday, August 15, 2026, 7 p.m.…”Son of the Sheik” (1926), starring Rudolph Valentino. This is a repeat from 2016, but it marks the 100th anniversary of Valentino’s untimely death with his final picture. “Son of the Sheik” is a rip-roaring sequel to “The Sheik,” full of romance, adventure, and thrills.
Saturday, September 12, 2026, 7 p.m.…”Hot Water”(1924), starring Harold Llyod. Unusual for Llyod, this is a domestic comedy in which he has already married the girl of his dreams but now must deal with a house full of dreadful in-laws. Great silent film comedy!
Saturday, October 24, 2026, 7 p.m.…”The Bat” (1926), directed by Roland West — our “Chiller Theater” thriller, just in time for Halloween. A masked criminal who dresses like a giant bat terrorizes the guests at an old house rented by a mystery writer. This early horror film was thought to be lost until it was discovered recently.
Saturday, November 14, 2026, 7 p.m.…”The Navigator” (1924), starring Buster Keaton. This is a repeat of one of Buster’s best comedies. Set sail with Buster Keaton in this classic comedy about a spoiled rich couple marooned all alone on a drifting ocean liner. Visual comedy at its finest!
Thanks to Harold and Jean Somerset for their continued support of the Silent Movies.
