Derby Neck Library to show silent film 'The Penalty' Monday

DERBY - Join us [at Derby Neck Library] at 3:30 p.m. Monday as we watch the silent classic The Penalty (1920), starring the Man of a Thousand Faces himself, the great Lon Chaney, in one of his most outrageous roles. 

Chaney’s character, a legless crime boss seeking vengeance on the doctor who needlessly amputated his legs, has a master plan so galaxy-brained it truly has to be seen to be believed. Suffice it to say that it involves posing as Satan to seduce the doctor’s daughter, amassing an army of “Reds” to take over San Francisco, and organizing the city’s dance hall girls to make thousands of straw hats in a basement. 

If you can get on its wavelength, this is the most logical movie ever made. Hot, fresh popcorn will be served.

The Library is at 307 Hawthorne Ave., Derby. 

'Turnback Tuesday' features sign in Derby advertising silent movie

Turnback Tuesday introduces you to the "Movie of the Day." 

Well, the day of Tuesday, October 4, 1904 that is. 

This sign was displayed next to the Hoffman House in Derby advertising a silent crime drama, short film (also called “one reelers”), “A Lynching at Cripple Creek”. 

This movie was released in April of 1904 by the Kleine Optical Co. and directed by Harry Buckwalter. One-reelers typically lasted under 10 minutes. This short lasted over 4 minutes and consisted of 12 scenes. 

The film was set at a gold mining camp in Cripple Creek, Colo. It was played at a theater in New Haven.

Thanks as always go to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.