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Silents at the Senate Presents: A Centennial Encore of Cecil B. DeMille’s The Volga Boatman (1926) On October 7, 1926, the Senate Theater opened its doors with little fanfare; one run-of-the-mill neighborhood movie house amongst hundreds. It was saved as a by-product of rescuing the 1928 Mighty Wurlitzer, the greatest instrument ever built to accompany silent films, from destruction. One hundred years later, join us to celebrate the miracle of their continued existence!
Experience the past and help shape the future at two special events on Oct. 7 and Oct. 10, 2026. All proceeds benefit theater and organ restoration and renovation projects. Learn more about the Party of the Century on Oct. 10.
Silents at the Senate Presents: A Centennial Encore of Cecil B. DeMille’s The Volga Boatman (1926)
Wed. Oct. 7
Doors – 6:30 PM
Film – 7:30 PM
Tickets - $15
2hr 00min | NR | Drama| USA
Live organ accompaniment by Lance Luce
Exactly 100 years to-the-day the Senate Theater opened to the public, Detroit Red Wings Head Organist and Detroit Theater Organ Society President Lance Luce will accompany Cecil B. DeMille’s silent classic The Volga Boatman. It was a smash hit by a pioneering filmmaker who dominated the box office and defined American filmmaking with his sumptuous style and craftsmanship. The Bolshevik Revolution provides the action-adventure backdrop for a dramatic love story between Princess Vera and Feodor, the Volga boatman.
This special screening kicks off the Senate's new Centennial Encore series, which will highlight some of the films screened at the Senate Theater in its original 32-year run. The program will extend through the centennial of the Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ in November 2028.
And keep Saturday, October 10 open to attend the Senate's Party of the Century, where we'll take you back to 1926 with a delightfully anachronistic evening of roaring-twenties entertainment, including live music and dance, a silent short film and other unexpected performances.
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Event venue
6424 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI, United States, Michigan 48210
Tickets
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