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1925 | Not Rated | 77 minutes | Digital | Silent with Intertitles | Click Title for Details
A melodrama about a young girl who is tricked into a life of prostitution, murders her lover, and finds redemption in true love. It was the result of an extraordinary collaboration between three important women: Adela Rogers St. John, Dorothy Arzner (who wrote the story) and Dorothy Davenport Reid (credited as Mrs. Wallace Reid), who co-directed and produced. While St. John and Arzner became better known over the years, it is the unjustly neglected Reid who brought The Red Kimona to the screen.
The film was based on the real-life story of Gabrielle Darley, who in 1917 killed her lover and was acquitted. The filmmakers used Darley's real name without permission, leading Gabrielle to sue the filmmakers for invasion of privacy and winning the case. This was a landmark ruling in privacy law in the United States, influencing future film practices regarding using real people's stories.
We are proud to screen some timeless and historic masterpieces. These wonderful screen gems are enhanced by live piano accompaniment from Cleveland native David Drazin, an accomplished virtuoso with a talent for playing off the cuff. David selects the perfect piece from his impressive mental repertoire to heighten the viewing experience for our audience. In addition to knowing just the right thing to play for any silent film imaginable, David is also an expert in jazz, classical, blues, and boogie-woogie.
