Mount Wilson Observatory Presents “Matinees on the Mountain” screening Sci-Fi Silent Shorts

Mount Wilson Observatory (MWO)—Southern California’s esteemed home to several of the most groundbreaking astronomical discoveries in history—presents the second “Matinees on the Mountain” screening on Saturday June 25 2025 at 3:00pm.

For June’s “Matinees on the Mountain” historian and preservationist Joe Rinaudo and The Livonian Cinema will bring a 1909 hand-cranked 35mm projector and collection of films up the mountain to screen a selection of sci-fi silent shorts. The Livonian Cinema is a traveling movie theater that creates site specific events in collaboration with artists and communities throughout Southern California. For the June “Matinees on the Mountain” screenings will include “A Trip to the Moon” by George Méliès and “Koko’s Earth Control” by Dave Fleischer among other surprises. Ed Torres house organist at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater will provide music accompaniment on organ and Gary Gibson will assist with film projection and the presentation of Magic Lantern slides prior to the show. Watch the trailer for a preview of what to expect:

MWO's new film series—happening on select Saturday afternoons this season—will take place in its 256-seat auditorium screening classic science fiction early scientific vintage silent films and even a few family-friendly surprises. Moviegoers can enjoy lunch at the Cosmic Cafe or picnic on the grounds explore the Observatory’s rich history and then settle in for a unique cinematic experience 1-mile above the City of Los Angeles. Tickets are priced at $20 for general admission and $15 for children under 12. For more information and tickets please visit: mtwilson.edu/events/movie062125

VISITING MWO

The gate to Mount Wilson’s campus opens at 10:00am daily and closes at 5:00pm from early April through November. Entrance to the grounds is free. Visitors can hike gaze at the telescope domes and towers that dot the landscape and take a look at historic Mount Wilson photos and letters in the Museum.

The Cosmic Cafe located above the main parking lot at the Observatory entrance is open on weekends in the spring summer and fall. In addition to traditional menu items such as hot dogs drinks and snacks the Café offers wraps salads and sweet treats from Little Flower.

PARKING

A U.S. Forest Service Adventure Pass is required to park at the Observatory. A $5 day pass or a $30 dollar annual pass may be purchased at the Cosmic Cafe on weekends between 10:00am and 5:00pm. During the week passes are available at locations around Los Angeles. The most convenient location before heading up is at the Shell station in La Canada Flintridge at the bottom of the Angeles Crest Highway ( https://find.shell.com/us/fuel/10007957-4530-angeles-crest-hwy/en_US). Visit the U.S. Forest Service website for more information about Passes and other locations to buy them: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/passes/adventure-pass

For more information about Visiting Mount Wilson Observatory please visit: https://www.mtwilson.edu/visiting

You may also like the following events from Green Galactic:

• Happening on, 24th April, 08:00 pm, Skylight Theatre Company presents “The Winter’s Tale” in modern verse in Los Angeles
• Happening on, 15th May, 08:00 pm, Skylight Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of “Hide & Hide” by Roger Q. Mason in Los Angeles
• This Saturday, 14th June, 05:30 pm, Mount Wilson Observatory’s next T&T w/ The Museum of Jurassic Technology’s David Wilson in Mount Wilson