Library to Host Wine Mixer and Silent Film Screening with Live Piano
Published on October 02, 2025
October 2, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Olivia Radbill, Adult Services/Local History Librarian
Phone: (626) 403-7359
Email: oradbill@southpasadenaca.gov
Subject: South Pasadena Public Library to Host Wine Mixer with Burden of Proof and Silent Film Screening with Live Piano
South Pasadena, CA – The South Pasadena Public Library is pleased to host a special silent film event on Friday, October 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the Library Community Room, located at 1115 El Centro Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030.
Beginning at 6:30 p.m. attendees are invited to join us for free non-alcoholic wine, provided by Burden of Proof, and live piano. Free drinks will be available on a first come, first served basis. At 7:00 p.m. we will host a screening of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) with live piano accompaniment by Michael D. Mortilla. No registration is required.
Robert Weine’s The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) is a classic of silent film and German Expressionist cinema. In The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, Dr. Caligari, a villainous hypnotist, uses his power over Cesare, a chronic sleepwalker, to commit a string of murders. Late film critic Roger Ebert once referred to The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari as “the first true horror film”.
Michael D. Mortilla is well known in the silent film world as a composer and accompanist. Michael has composed silent film scores for the Chicago Symphony, the Academy of Motion Pictures, the Library of Congress, the Olympics, National Film Preservation Foundation, and many others. He was the last composer to collaborate on a produced work with legendary choreographer Martha Graham. Mr. Mortilla was a faculty member at UC Santa Barbara for fourteen years, serving as resident composer and sound designer in theater and dance. Since 2000 he has resided in Burbank, working as a free-lance journeyman composer and sound designer in theater, film, silent film, animation, dance, and various other productions.
South Pasadena has served as a filming location for many famous features. From Paul Powell’s Pollyanna (1920) to John Carpenter’s Halloween (1978), South Pasadena is entrenched in Hollywood history. This special event reflects and celebrates the history of our cinematic city.
This program is made possible by the generous support of the Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library. The Library is located at 1100 Oxley Street in South Pasadena. For information about services and programs, visit our website at www.southpasadenaca.gov/library. The Library is open Monday, Friday, Saturday 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
About the City of South Pasadena
The City of South Pasadena is a charming community, situated only six miles from downtown Los Angeles. Called the City of Trees, the area is known for its stunning homes, unique small businesses, and top-quality schools. South Pasadena’s diverse population of about 25,000 occupies a mere 3.44 square miles of flatlands and hillsides on the west side of the San Gabriel Valley. This small-town atmosphere makes South Pasadena one of California's most desirable locations.
For more information about the City of South Pasadena, visit www.southpasadenaca.gov. Follow us on social media to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
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