ARCHIVE / SOHO PRESENTS MARY PICKFORD IN “RAMONA”

Hard to image by today's standards that early silent movies
were really short. That's Mary Pickford as Ramona in this 1910 still.

SAVE THE DATE—Guest Blog by Save Our Heritage Organisation--Make it an extended Valentine’s weekend by viewing the silent screen film, “Ramona,” one of the most romantic 19th-Century love stories by Helen Hunt Jackson.

Released in 1910, “Ramona” was directed by D.W. Griffith, and stars Mary Pickford as Ramona and Henry B. Walthall as Alessandro.

Title page from the D.W. Griffith directed romance film

The novel's sentimental portrayal of Mexican colonial life contributed to establishing the unique cultural identity of the region; its influence on the culture and image of Southern California was considerable.

Coinciding with the arrival of major railroad lines to the region, tourists wanted to visit the locations depicted in the national best selling novel. Old Town San Diego leaped at the opportunity to exploit this interest and help bring prosperity back to the community, and Old Town has been a tourist Mecca ever since.

While John D. Spreckels dubbed the Estudillo House, which he owned, as Ramona's Marriage Place at the time, it was in actuality the Old Adobe Chapel that was the true marriage place described by Helen Hunt Jackson.

Early label found on a crate of California lemons

Set in a post-Mexican-American War Southern California, racial and class tensions prove penetrable by the undeniable love between Alessandro, son of a tribal chief, and the beautiful, mixed-race foster child, Ramona. So bring your Valentine or come by yourself and fall in love with the story of Ramona all over again.

A short presentation on the history of the Adobe Chapel and its relation to the characters in the novel precedes the 20-minute viewing of the silent film version of Ramona.

When   Saturday, February 15

Two showings   7:30 pm | 8:30 pm

(Film is approximately 20 minutes)

Where Adobe Chapel, 3963 Conde Street in Old Town San Diego

Cost   $5 per person

Seating is limited; advance ticket purchase is suggested

Call:   (619) 297-7511

In Person:  Whaley House Museum Shop

2476 San Diego Avenue in Historic Old Town San Diego