local
As Nolan's 'Odyssey' hits 70mm, a hand-cranked silent film show comes to La Crescenta
By Robert Garrova at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· July 18, 2026
· 3 min read
Joe Rinaudo hand-cranks an antique film projector.(Robert Garrova / LAist)The new Christopher Nolan epic The Odyssey opens this weekend. And purists will probably want to catch it in a theater to experience it in all of its 70mm glory.But another film screening (albeit a little more old-fashioned...
Key takeaway In fact, he uses the same lab that I do to print my 35 [mm] — FotoKem,” said Joe Rinaudo, silent film historian and founder of the nonprofit SCAAT or Silent Cinema Art and Technology.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The screening of silent films in La Crescenta's Two Strike Park tonight is a unique opportunity for locals to experience the early days of cinema in a historic setting. Joe Rinaudo's dedication to preserving and showcasing silent classics is a testament to the enduring power of film to educate and inspire. As a silent film historian and founder of the nonprofit SCAAT, Rinaudo's efforts to bring these films to the community are a valuable resource for Los Angeles County residents. The use of a 1909 Power's Motion Picture Machine Model 6, restored from a chicken coop, adds to the authenticity of the experience. This event connects to the broader cultural landscape of Los Angeles, a city with a rich film history, and provides a chance for residents to engage with the past in a meaningful way. The fact that Rinaudo's nonprofit is based in La Crescenta highlights the importance of local organizations in preserving and promoting cultural heritage.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: local ·
Published: July 18, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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What is this story about? Joe Rinaudo hand-cranks an antique film projector.(Robert Garrova / LAist)The new Christopher Nolan epic The Odyssey opens this weekend. And purists will probably want to catch it in a theater to experience it in all of its 70mm glory.But another film screening (albeit a little more old-fashioned...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 18, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Robert Garrova at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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