A collection of nine enchanting silent films, A Christmas Past offers a nostalgic peek into the Yuletide pleasures of the early 1900s. Evoking the Victorian charm of Currier and Ives prints, these picturesque comedies and tender dramas were produced as cinematic Christmas cards offered to moviegoers of the silent era. Included in this collection of archival rarities, most of which were produced at Thomas Edison’s studios, are the 1910 version of Dicken’s immortal A Christmas Carol, a heartwarming melodrama by D.W. Griffith (A Trap For Santa), as well as the first screen version of Clement Moore’s 1822 poem “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” The films have been digitally mastered from original 35mm elements and are accompanied by a wistful new score by Al Kryszak-performed on a variety of instruments including harp, violin and Christmas handbells – which beautifully enhances the delicate shadings of each of these rare and fascinating treasures.

Films: A Holiday Pageant At Home (1901) A Winter Straw Ride (1906) A Trap For Santa (1909) A Christmas Accident (1912) The Adventure Of The Wrong Santa Claus (1914) Santa Claus Vs. Cupid (1915) Santa Claus (1925) A Christmas Carol (1910) The Night Before Christmas (1905)

Christmas doesn’t come any more old-fashioned than in this inspired collection of vintage holiday films from the silent era. Amidst the melodramas (D.W. Griffith’s 1909 “A Trap for Santa Claus”) and comedies (the “amateur” detective lark “The Adventure of the Wrong Santa Claus”) are some delicious Christmas treats. The 1925 “Santa Claus” combines magical images of Santa’s workshop elves with thrilling documentary footage of icy Alaskan landscapes and herds of wild arctic creatures, and the 1910 “A Christmas Carol” condenses the Dickens classic into 10 minutes by layering all the ghosts and memories into one brief but visually imaginative scene. The delightful “A Winter Straw Ride” (1906) transforms into a snowball free-for-all to celebrate the giddy antics of adults reverting to childhood innocence. Al Kryszak’s new, melancholy score for strings and harp is often lovely but out of place amidst the cheer and holiday celebration of the films. –Sean Axmaker

Starring Marc McDermott, Charles Ogle, William Bechtel, Viola Dana, Carey Lee.

Note: These are not period dramas in the way we think of them now, but these silent Christmas themed short films that were originally made by the Edison Company between 1901 and 1925 and the earlier ones were among the first Christmas dramas. Made during the Edwardian, the First World War and Interwar eras.