The Sounds of Silents: MiraCosta to Host Silent Film Expert

Experience the movies the old fashioned way as internationally-renowned silent film expert Philip Carli brings his unique talent and expertise to MiraCosta College. Sponsored by the San Elijo Campus and MiraCosta College Friends of the Library, MiraCosta will screen “Exit Smiling” (1926) starring Beatrice Lillie and Jack Pickford and “Girl Shy” (1924) starring Harold Lloyd. Dr. Carli will share interesting information and anecdotes about the films then provide exciting piano accompaniment during the screenings.  

Carli brings back the spirit of the silent film era with his original compositions. An expert in this genre, Dr. Carli has been an early cinema aficionado since age five. Growing up in Carlsbad, he accompanied his first silent film, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”, while a student at Valley Middle School. Now, more than 30 years later, Dr. Carli has composed over 50 scores for films and has toured throughout North America and Europe. He has performed at such venues as the Museum of Modern Art in New York; the National Gallery in Washington, DC; the National Film Theatre in London; and at film festivals in Berlin, New York and Italy.  

“Exit Smiling” will be shown on Friday, Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m. in Room 204 at MiraCosta’s San Elijo Campus, 3333 Manchester Ave., Cardiff.  Admission is free. This silent film marks the screen debut of comedienne Beatrice Lillie. In this film, Lillie’s character, Violet, is an aspiring actress working as the maid to a touring theatrical company’s inebriated leading lady. “Girl Shy” will be screened Saturday, February 23, at 7:30 p.m. in Room 3601 (Little Theatre) at MiraCosta College, 1 Barnard Drive, Oceanside. In this 1924 comedy about love and romance, a shy young bachelor falls in love with a rich girl who is already engaged to another man.

For more information, call (760) 795—6613. (A picture of Philip Carli is available to the media and can be found on the Photos for the Media page.)