Film History Comes to Life
To celebrate our reopening after a four-month internal renovation, the historic Newtown Theatre will screen original 35mm footage of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake – the first motion picture ever screened at the theatre. The footage will be shown on an antique 1898 Edison Projecting Kinetoscope (pictured).
Come see the same footage on the same type of projector that our first movie audience saw 115 years ago!
1898 Edison Projecting Kinetoscope
This special fundraiser is scheduled for Friday, December 3, at 7:30 PM. From 7:30-8:30 PM, guests will enjoy wine, dessert, and live music.
After, they’ll see two movie presentations: the 1906 earthquake footage and the screening of the 1928 silent comedy Bare Knees with live piano accompaniment.
Capacity is limited, and tickets are available online only. All seating is general admission and the doors open at 7:30 PM.
History of the Silver Screen
Lou DiCrescenzo, a film historian and former Newtown Theatre projectionist, and Jesse Crooks, operations director for Renew Theaters, will screen five minutes of the 10-minute original footage of the San Francisco earthquake. DiCrescenzo and Crooks will also share the history of the projector and the footage with the audience.
The audience will also see the 1928 silent comedy Bare Knees with live piano accompaniment. Prior to the mid-1920s, all movies were silent and dialogue was transmitted through mute gesture, mime and title cards. For added effect, silent films were commonly accompanied by musicians – often pianists – who provided a live score in the movie house.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy my tickets at the door?
No. Tickets are available online only and will not be sold at the door the night of the event.
What's included with my ticket purchase?
In addition to the screenings and discussion of film history with Lou DiCrescenzo and Jesse Crooks, you’ll enjoy wine, dessert, live music, and a fun evening celebrating the newly renovated theatre.
Can I reserve seats?
No, all tickets are general admission. We recommend arriving early if you're attending with a large group. Doors will open at 7 PM.
What are my parking options?
Free street parking is available along State Street, in the municipal lot between Washington and Centre Avenues, or the municipal lot next to Newtown Borough Hall (23 North State Street).
How can I get a refund?
All ticket sales are final. If you can't attend, you're welcome to give your tickets to someone else. The name on the ticket does not have to match the person using it.
Should I bring my tickets to the event?
Yes! Electronic or hard copy is fine. We recommend printing them out (or saving them to your phone) as soon as you buy them. If you can't find your ticket, you can retrieve them here.
I didn't receive an email with my tickets.
First, check your junk or spam folder in your inbox. If you don't see your tickets there, try to retrieve them here. If you have tried both of these things and you still don't see your tickets, please email manager@thenewtowntheatre.com with your full name and the date your purchased your tickets.
I have a question that wasn't answered here.
Please email manager@thenewtowntheatre.com. Please note that we will not be able to respond to last-minute emails sent on December 3.