By Robin GOLDSWORTHY

The Historical Society of the Crescenta Valley and the Los Angeles County Dept. of Parks and Recreation are hosting a free movie night on Saturday, July 30 at Two Strike Park, 5107 Rosemont Ave. in La Crescenta. As he has in the past, local resident Joe Rinaudo will bring his original 1909 hand-cranked 35-millimeter motion picture projector that is outfitted with a Magic Lantern glass slide attachment.

“This is an important piece of equipment because it traveled the circuit on the east coast between 1909 and 1916,” Renaudo said.

Renaudo revived the old projector after the children of the original owner found the relic in an old chicken coop. He liked the idea of bringing it back to life.

“This machine entertained people on a traveling circuit,” he said. “It was part of the itinerant show when a projectionist would come to a small town that didn’t have the benefit of a movie theatre. Movies would be shown on the side of a barn, a building – wherever they could be projected.”

On the roster for the July 30 screenings are the silent films “That’s My Wife,” a Laurel & Hardy 1929 comedy, “Crazy Like a Fox,” a 1926 Charley Chase film (watch for a bit part played by Oliver Hardy), “Plagues and Puppy Love,” the 1920 live action cartoon “Modeling” and the 1913 Lois Weber thriller, “Suspense.”

The movies will be accompanied by live piano music provided by Cliff Retallick. Friends of Rockhaven will be having a bake sale.

The movies start at dusk. People are invited to bring their own chairs or blankets for seating.

  robin goldsworthy