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🎥 Join us for a special anniversary celebration of silent cinema, marking 130 years since film history began at the very own Regent Street Cinema 🎞

In 1896, the Lumière brothers brought their cinematograph to Regent Street, presenting the first moving pictures ever screened to a paying audience in the UK. This unique event looks back to that extraordinary moment with an evening of silent film curated and presented live by Paul Merton, who will be in attendance to introduce and reflect on the films as they unfold.

The programme begins with a selection of pioneering early short films and classic silent comedies, capturing cinema in its infancy — playful, inventive, and full of wonder. These pre-interval films will be accompanied live on the cinema’s historic organ, recreating the atmosphere of early film exhibition.

Pre-interval programme:

Sprinkler Sprinkled (1895, France) – Directed by Louis Lumière
One of the earliest narrative films, this short comic scene features a mischievous boy playing a prank on a gardener, creating a simple yet enduring visual gag that helped establish screen comedy.

Demolishing a Wall (1896, France) – Directed by Louis Lumière
A group of workers knock down a wall, only for it to magically reassemble in reverse motion. A playful experiment that reveals cinema’s early fascination with time, movement, and illusion.

Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat (1896, France) – Directed by Auguste and Louis Lumière
Perhaps the most famous of all early films, this strikingly realistic depiction of a train entering a station demonstrates the immersive power of moving images in cinema’s earliest days.

Cameo the Dog (1907, United Kingdom) – Director unknown
This charming British short follows a clever dog who helps his owner recover stolen goods, showcasing early narrative storytelling and animal performance.

Two Tars (1928, USA) – Directed by James Parrott
Laurel and Hardy star as sailors whose shore leave spirals into escalating chaos. Renowned for its spectacular street brawl, the film is a masterclass in slapstick comedy.

After a short interval:

Speedy (1928, USA), directed by Ted Wilde — Harold Lloyd’s exuberant silent feature celebrating New York City in all its bustling energy. Lloyd stars as an optimistic young man fighting to save his girlfriend’s grandfather’s horse-drawn streetcar business, resulting in a joyous blend of romance, daring stunts, and large-scale urban comedy. The film will be shown with a score by the legendary composer Carl Davis.

I’ll be hanging out at the Regent Street Cinema Café & Bar from 6:30p.m. for a meet & greet before we head to Screen One. Pick any seat you like—we’ll regroup for a film review and drink after the film.

See you guys there
Ray

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👉 HEADS UP

  • If you sign up but later can’t make it, please 🙏 just drop us a quick message (or change your RSVP) — it really helps with planning. And follow our club @movieroadhouseuk on Instagram — for fun updates!

🗓️ SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN

  • 6:30 PM: Meet & Greet (Regent Street Cinema Cafe)
  • 7:30 PM: Movie (Screen One)
  • 9:30 PM: Drinks Discussion

📱STAY CONNECTED

  • Join our WhatsApp or Telegram groups (available by request), or hop onto our WhatsApp Channel or Telegram Channel for quiet updates without the chat. Whatever you prefer!

🎬 PLOT DETAILS

  • An immersive journey from cinema’s earliest experiments to one of the great masterpieces of the silent era, this is a rare opportunity to experience silent film as it was originally intended — live, communal, and full of wonder. Trailer

🎟️ TICKET INFO & PRICES

📍VENUE ADDRESS

  • 307 REGENT STREET LONDON, W1B 2HW

🔊 HOW WE ROLL

  • Have fun, be respectful, and no abuse of any kind
  • Three-time no-show limit (applies after your first attended event), please update your RSVP if your plans change
  • This group is for over-18s only

🌐 FOLLOW US ONLINE

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Events in W1B 2HW, GB

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