Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum

I've had this little theatre bookmarked for awhile. I think it's cute they have a live pianist for each silent movie night. I brought friends to watch a comedy shorts night and we were all pleasantly surprised the the museum was fully open for us to walk around at least 30 min before and after the Saturday night showing, since the website indicates that the museum closes at 4pm.The ticket they give you looks like a raffle ticket because there are a few surprise small raffle drawings at the end, which is a nice touch as well!During intermission, they allow you up the back end of the theatre to see the Nickelodeon equipment. Both before and during the showings, we had 2 lovely and entertaining speakers that gave short tidbits about the films we would see, which was nice and unexpected, too. They had great stage presence and this added much value to the experience. They accept credit cards. And there are 3 single-occupant bathrooms available. They also sell fresh popcorn and small packaged snacks.I would definitely return to see another show.

What a great museum and theater set in a beautiful quaint town. We visited the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum this past Sunday as part of Charlie Chaplin Days, an annual event they hold at the venue, though this was the first time in person since the pandemic.This was a two-day event that included plenty of short film screenings of Charlie Chaplin's work, a walking tour of the Niles, a Charlie Chaplin Trivia Contest, and a Charlie Chaplin Lookalike Contest, as well as extended hours in the museum itself.I didn't realize how much work Charlie Chaplin accomplished here in Niles. They even showed his short film, The Tramp, his last film in Niles, one that portrayed more of an emotional side to him beyond his typical slapstick comedy. I learned so much about the film industry and Charlie Chaplin's history just by listening to the staff/volunteers share interesting fun facts with guests, and browsing through the museum which had a lot of great pieces of history. The gift shop was filled with plenty of books, posters, souvenirs, and specialty gifts, even unique items like a FlipbooKit Maker.The staff was so knowledgeable and friendly, everyone made us feel welcome. Movie screenings on Sunday were a 50 cent donation, self-serve cold canned sodas and bottled water were also available (dollar donation). Food was not available due to COVID. The Edison Theater was a perfect medium size, intimate but not too small, with standard folding auditorium seating (without drink holders), and some Charlie Chaplin memorabilia lining the back of the theater as well as a few props on stage. I especially enjoyed the Charlie Chaplin Lookalike Contest on Sunday. It was fun and entertaining, with the participants flaunting goofy mustaches and classic Charlie Chaplin moves. All of the guests who participated won ice cream, some copies of Charlie Chaplin's classic films, and other souvenirs. It was all about having fun. And everybody at the museum, both guests and workers, were really joyful and friendly and just having a good time. The museum and event overall had a really great, positive atmosphere, and I'm so glad I got to experience it.

Day trip!! We were on our way back from Palo Alto and decided to stop here on a whim. The museum was free to tour, but they do take donations. The gentleman that was there, Michael, was very informative and gave us the tour. We even got to see the theater and projection room !!! Really brings into perspective, that we have amazing historical gems in our own backyard!! Worth checking out if you are in the area! Can't wait for them to start showing films again!

I doubt if there was a more moving scene in all of silent cinema than the last two minutes of "City Lights" when the Little Tramp inadvertently runs into the girl who regained her eyesight thanks to his self-sacrifice and has since become a successful flower shop owner. He asks her, "You can see now?" to which she responds realizing it was he who helped her, "Yes, I can see now". I cry just thinking about it (video: http://bit.ly/2HRN7lX), but Charlie Chaplin had already been long gone from Essanay Studios fifteen years prior. Did you know in around 1915, he filmed his first starring vehicles as the Little Tramp in Niles of all places and became a cultural phenomenon?This little known piece of trivia is celebrated in this reconverted nickelodeon on Niles Blvd. about half a block away from the original Essanay Studios. I've heard of this museum for years but since it's a fair distance from 880, I never found an excuse to visit Niles, a historical neighborhood with a lot of Mayberry-like charm. I have to admit there was a ramshackle look to the place that really didn't endear me to the space, especially the cluttered consignment look of the gift shop with vintage magazines and even clothing for sale (photo: http://bit.ly/2prAION). On the left side of the building is quite a collection of period movie cameras and projectors (photo: http://bit.ly/2u6Pq2r).On the plus side is the enthusiastic and fully informed docent who will find you no matter where you are and start talking about the history and the story behind each artifact. He guided me through the room behind the theater which spotlight the nearby locations used during the various productions. Chaplin was basically everywhere from San Francisco to Niles Canyon (photo: http://bit.ly/2IE65xJ). He took me upstairs to the projection room (photo: http://bit.ly/2DHMdWH). The theater has plenty of seating (photo: http://bit.ly/2IE7dBt), and they show silent films on Saturday nights just like they did back before World War I when couples would go out for phosphates afterward. Definitely a niche museum but worthwhile if early, early film history is your thing.

Not a comprehensive museum, but just the fact that you're standing in a place where Charlie Chaplin got his start is what makes this place special (at least to me). There are also pieces of Chaplin's attire (e.g., hat, cane, shoes) available for viewing. Also, the Edison Theater is actually open for viewing of silent films!

This extraordinary gem is a cinematic treasure trove from a Bygone Era that needs far more exposure and recognition. Words cannot convey my appreciation to both the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum and its lovely team of archivists who bend over backwards to make everyone feel welcome. Niles Essanay Studios was where Charlie Chaplin got his cinematic start in America and this museum pays homage to both those in front of and behind the camera. In addition to a stellar array of vintage filming and projection equipment, housed within the expanse of several large rooms in a relatively compact museum, you will see familiar and forgotten faces and the items used by giants of the silent film era. To add to the novelty, there is even a working Silent Screen Theatre in the rear of the building that regularly shows a stream of classic silent films, such as "The Four Horseman of the Apocalypse" and Charlie Chaplin's "The Tramp," which was filmed in Niles. The museum also features guest visitors, including book authors and presenters specialising in the era before Talkies. The Niles Essanay Museum is also involved in philanthropic efforts, including support for the last living silent screen star, Diana Serra Cary, who is best remembered as the great Baby Peggy. Located close to Fremont, in the southeastern San Francisco Bay Area, in the vintage town of Niles, the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum adds even more to the character of a town that also has a railway museum, antique stores, an English Tea Room and other restored vintage venues. The museum is still growing and the team there are doing a fantastic job of expanding beyond their fledgling beginnings. Their gift shop cannot be missed, with its array of memorabilia and excellent allotment of books. It is very much worth a visit and can be part of a day trip to Niles for anyone living in or visiting the San Francisco Bay Area. A special thanks also goes out to the team there who went to great lengths to ensure the return of my driving license and credit card that I left behind just before my return to Britain!

Small tiny museum filled with lots of information and film fanatics. You don't have to know anything about film to visit this gem.They have cool props that Charlie Chaplin actually used and old school cameras and memorabilia. There is also a fun gift shop too with tons of random varieties of things from t-shirts, little flip books and more. I was almost tempted to buy some random stuff like a little fish fortune teller but I stopped myself because I already have too much stuff. HAH. Prices for the gift shop are something that you would normally see at a tourist attraction but the ones here are slightly a bit cheaper.Spent a good 30 minutes or so here while waiting to have brunch next door.Would definitely recommend this place if you're looking for something to do in the area! Best part: IT'S FREE! (If you do want to see a movie it's going to cost you, but not too much). Might come back again to check it out if i'm in the area because I didn't get to read everything (was too hungry for food and didn't want to miss my named being called for brunch!)

The museum is a lot of fun. There are a lot of cool artifacts of the old films that were made there and so many cool toys. I got a poster and a flip card animation box that my students enjoy playing with. The theater is towards the back and makes a great place to explore some films. I was lucky enough to be there for the Charlie Chaplin days and participate in a look a like contest. The museum staff treated us out to some sweets from down the street and to some of the material they produce there. Great fun in a great little town.

Came here for their weekly silent film showing. It feels a bit like a cult, with the organizers asking if there are any newcomers and where everyone was from, even a gift for first timers. Only thing missing was passing around a collection basket.Had a great time though, explored the museum before the screening and was given an opportunity to see the projection booth during the intermission. I can't emphasize how great it was to see a silent film with a live pianist, who was fantastic. If you are interested at all in film history, come here! You won't regret it!

The teenager "in charge" accused me of stealing a vinyl record (that I had bought at the store down the street) as I was leaving the gift shop (even though they don't sell vinyls.)I bought a sticker from the same dude and paid with cash. With tax, it was $5.51. I pulled out a $20 and he was bragging on how he was able to count back change because his "mom taught him." I told him I was going to look for a penny but it did not dawn on him the implications of what that would mean as he continued to pull out pennies from the drawer. He gave me back $13.49 in change and I told him that was incorrect. Flustered he tried again, and again came to the same wrong conclusion. I had to bust out my calculator to prove to him he was short a buck. "At least I got the change part right which is the most important thing" he smugly said. I said "no, the dollars are more important".This experience there was the highlight of my trip. Worth visiting especially if you pay with cash. Not a good representative for the museum.