My upcoming weekend consists of music for dogs in Maine, then music for people in Massachusetts.
Ye—on Saturday, Aug. 9, I'll accompany a program of silent films starring canines at the Johnson Opera House in Gardiner, Maine.
Then on Sunday, Aug. 10, I'll do music for 'Padlocked,' a 1920s morality drama, at the Somerville Theatre in Somerville, Mass.
Lots more about 'Padlocked' in the press release below. It's a film that hasn't been seen since 1926, but is now available after a 2023 restoration by the San Francisco Silent Film Festival.
But about the dog program, which takes place on Saturday, Aug. 9 starting at noon. Officially, it's the Augusta Colonial Theatre's 3rd Annual Silent Film Festival. (It's being held in another venue, the Johnson Opera House in Gardiner, Maine, but don't let that throw you.)
Subtitled 'Dog Day Afternoon,' the program (curated by film restoration guru Ed Lorasso) is being promoted like this:
"Come join us for a paws-itively fun time at Johnson Hall Opera House for our 3rd Annual Silent Film Festival! Watch classic movies starring all the great furry friends of the silent film era: Jean the Vitagraph Dog, Shep the Dog, Teddy the Wonder Dog, and everyone's favorite Rin-Tin-Tin! Enjoy popcorn, drinks, and a tail-wagging good time. Don't miss out on this doggone awesome event!"
Dog puns aside, it promises to be a pretty compelling program.
It's a good variety of early short films, plus the full-length spectacular Warner Brothers feature 'Clash of the Wolves' (1925) starring Rin Tin Tin.
If you'd like to know why Rin Tin Tin was known as the "mortgage lifter" among theater owners, 'Clash of the Wolves' is a good example.
I've done many animal-themed silent film programs over the years. It was a popular genre in early cinema, and their charm and excitement still comes through.
The dogs themselves are as compelling as any human performer. Really—after all, lacking the power of speech is no handicap in silent films.
See for yourself by attending this off-beat program on Saturday, Aug. 9. For more info, a complete list of films, and to buy tickets, visit the festival's Eventbrite page.
And what about 'Padlocked' (1926), which I'm accompanying on Sunday, Aug. 10 at 2 p.m. at the Somerville Theatre? Lots of info in the press release below. See you there!
* * *
MONDAY, AUG. 4, 2025 / FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Somerville Theatre to screen rare silent 'Padlocked' with live music on Sunday, Aug. 10
It was 'Padlocked' (1926), a silent-era drama from Paramount Pictures—a movie unseen since its original release, but now available following a recent restoration.
The rarely screened film will be shown on Sunday, Aug. 10 at 2 p.m. at the Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square, Somerville, Mass.
Admission $17 adults; $13 members; $12 seniors/children. Tickets are available at somervilletheatre.com or at the door.
Live musical scoring will be provided by silent film accompanist Jeff Rapsis, a New Hampshire-based performer who specializes in music for silent film screenings.
'Padlocked,' based on a serialized story published in Cosmopolitan magazine, is an urbane 1920s drama that skewers the cruelty and hypocrisy of moral reformers.
The film stars Noah Beery Sr., Florence Turner, Lois Moran, Louise Dresser, Helen Jerome Eddy, Allan Simpson, and Richard Arlen.
Gilbert's myopia about human character proves his undoing: he sees evil in innocent amusements, but is easily taken in by a gold-digging con artist.
For the film's original release, Paramount's publicity machine played up the story's scandalous nature and contemporary relevance.
"A theme so powerful and so certain of overwhelming popularity," trumpeted ads promoting 'Padlocked.' "What a sweeping revelation of this restless age—and how superbly produced, with every possible box office value!"
'Padlocked' boasted several well-known names among its creative team.
Director Allan Dwan, already a Hollywood veteran, would go on to direct such classics as 'Sands of Iwo Jima' (1949) starring John Wayne.
'Padlocked' was an early example of the work of cinematographer James Wong Howe, who would later be nominated for 10 Academy Awards for cinematography, winning twice for 'The Rose Tattoo' (1955) and 'Hud' (1963).
'Padlocked' hadn't been screened since its original release in1926; a sole surviving print was found in the Czech National Film Archive. Titles were translated back to English and other work restoration work done so the film could be made available to U.S. theaters.
"This is one reason why we continue to program silent films," said Ian Judge, the Somerville's creative director. "Rediscoveries from the silent era are being made all the time. We aim to give movie-goers the chance to experience these classic films as intended—on the big screen, with live music, with an audience, and shown using 35mm prints whenever possible."
To help bring 'Padlocked' to life at the Somerville, silent film accompanist Jeff Rapsis will create a soundtrack that mixes 1920s-style tunes with elements of contemporary movie scoring.
" 'Padlocked' is a great film for music," Rapsis said. "It has several lively cabaret scenes that I think today's audiences will find highly entertaining."
'Padlocked' (1926), a Paramount drama unseen since its original release, will be shown on Sunday, Aug. 10 at 2 p.m. at the Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square, Somerville, Mass.
Admission $17 adults; $13 members; $12 seniors/children. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.somervilletheatre.com or call the box office at (617) 625-5700.
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