Friday, November 21, 2025 - 7:30pm

On Friday, November 21, The Secret Cinema will revisit an unusual program concept not tapped since we last used it 16 years ago: EARLY EDUCATIONAL: CLASSROOM FILMS OF THE SILENT ERA. These ultra-rare reels, most of which haven't otherwise been seen in about a century, are still potent in their powers to entertain, amuse, and yes, educate modern-day viewers about a variety of subjects. The various short films, most of which were made in the 1920s, include now ancient travels to distant lands, historical dramatizations, looks at industry and nature studies.

The prints to be projected, many of which are believed to be exclusive to the Secret Cinema archive, are mostly original prints (rather than restored or duplicated prints) dating to the time of the production, from pioneering companies such as Kodascope Libraries, Eastman Classroom Films, and Urban-Kineto. They are mostly in excellent condition, and many were made on tinted stock. The films will be projected at the correct speeds, with a live musical accompaniment from Don Kinnier.

There will be one complete show at 7:30 pm. Doors will open at 7:00 pm to allow touring of the mansion and grounds.

The film will be shown in the gilded-age mansion's beautiful second floor art gallery (stair access only).

Admission is $25, $20 students and seniors. Seating is limited.

As usual, this Secret Cinema program will be projected in 16mm film on a giant screen (not video).

Glen Foerd on the Delaware is a 5-minute walk from the Torresdale station of SEPTA's Trenton Regional Rail Line or the 19 & 84 bus routes. There is ample free parking within the estate.

Just a few highlights of EARLY EDUCATIONAL… are:

THE STORY OF OUR NATIONAL PARKS (1925, Department of the Interior) - A young woman, sitting on her porch with friends, describes her wonderful trip to Yellowstone National Park -- and shows off photographs which soon become beautiful motion pictures of natural wonders and vintage touring buses.

STUDIES IN ANIMAL MOTION (1922, British Instructional Films, Ltd.) - A seemingly random (though no less fascinating) assortment of animals are shown ambulating in normal and slow motion, including seagulls, flamingos, snakes, snails...and a boxing kangaroo, seen with his human sparring partner!

MODERN BASKETBALL FUNDAMENTALS (1925, Eastman Classroom Films) - Basketball was a young sport when this instructional film was produced: metal hoops and backboards had replaced the game's original peach baskets just 19 years earlier, and the NBA was decades away from being formed. Vital passing and shooting skills are demonstrated in this film directed by legendary University of Kansas coach F.C. "Phog" Allen, who learned basketball while a freshman there, directly from the sport's inventor, James Naismith (they both appear in the film).

FOOD AND GROWTH (1930, Encyclopedia Britannica Films) - School children conduct a somewhat cruel experiment in which different white lab rats are fed a diet of coffee, candy, and milk. Which will be the healthiest?

THE MYSTERIES OF SCIENCE (1910s? Urban-Kineto Corporation)- This group of brief films represents the final activities of one of the great pioneers of early cinema. American-born Charles Urban developed one of the first projectors, then moved to England to avoid patent problems from his rival Edison. He experimented with an early color process, and when this failed to catch on, produced a series of science films making full use of such techniques as time-lapse and macro-photography, exploring the science to be found in soap bubbles and sound waves.

LONGBELL LUMBER COMPANY (date unknown) - This privately made film, sponsored by the title company, takes an amazing look inside the handling and finishing facilities of a giant, (then) state-of-the-art lumber plant.