Eureka

Ironically today’s post ties in nicely with my last. That post not only narrated the remembrance of what I wore, the music I heard and where I went, but even more so, the treasure of experiencing a historic art and cultural venue. And on Sunday afternoon, I got a chance to do just that.

The San Gabriel Mission Playhouse built in 1927 is a beautiful and lavish showplace. A magnificent and opulent theater steeped in history, complete with tapestries presented by the King of Spain, a beautifully carved and painted ceiling, a fully operational Wurlitzer Theatre Organ, and chandeliers that replicate the lanterns used on Spanish galleons which sailed around the tip of South America en route to California in the 1800’s.  It was the perfect locale for the presentation of Ramona. The special screening was the 1928 silent film starring Dolores del Rio.

Her performance was superb; so coquettish, and such a pleasure to watch. Directed by Edwin Carewe, who was of Chickasaw descent, his version was sensitive to the racial undertones and was beautifully interpreted. Believed to be lost until it was found in 2010 in the Czech Republic, it was restored on 16mm film before another copy was digitally made.

The story was adapted from the novel written by Native American activist, Helen Hunt Jackson in 1884. It portrays the life of a mixed race Scottish -Native American girl who suffers racial discrimination and hardship. The novel’s influence on the culture and image of Southern California is considerable. Its’ portrayal of Mexican colonial life contributed to establishing a unique cultural identity for the region. More importantly, it speaks volumes of the inequalities that Native Americans endured simply for not being in the majority.

The film ran for two hours and the organist evoked all the emotions of the film playing the score from memory.

Later on, film historians offered the audience an appreciation of the journey the film took on.  As the only remaining copy of the film, it was sent to the Czech Republic where it fell into the hands of the Nazis, and when they were conquered by the Soviet Union, it lay collecting dust; until the Cold War when it was returned to the Czech Republic and was rediscovered, restored, translated and finally came to us.

Outside the venue were classic cars.

As I was walking to my car I spotted this small Victorian house that ironically I have never seen before. Had I not walked this path I would have missed it! It also has a unique history. You can read more about it here: https://www.hmdb.org/Marker.asp?Marker=66581.

A fascinating ecstatic day full of art, cinema, cultural awareness, music, antiques, and of finding and appreciating long lost treasures.