Cameras rolling as Vintage Film Festival opens in Port Hope
By reporter Natalie Hamilton
Rick Hill’s appreciation for classic films started when he was a child with monster movies and vintage horror flicks.
While the Port Hope man’s taste in movies made during Hollywood’s golden age has broadened over the years, his passion hasn’t waned.
“I discovered the vintage horror movies from the 1930s and 1940s and I was so hooked, and I kind of expanded from there into other classic film genres,” Hill told the Independent. “I have loved vintage films all my life.”
That’s one reason Hill is excited to see cameras start rolling today (Friday, Oct. 16) through to Sunday, Oct. 18 for the 33rd annual Vintage Film Festival (VFF) in Port Hope.
Presented by the Marie Dressler Foundation, and shown in Port Hope’s historic Capitol Theatre, Hill has officially been involved in the VFF since 2018, serving as the festival’s director since 2021.
Since 1993, the VFF has celebrated the magic of classic cinema by bringing timeless films back to the big screen. The festival welcomes film-lovers from across Canada to experience movies, guest speakers, and a celebration of film history.
Thirteen films made the cut for this year’s installment. The 2026 theme for the festival is “Best Dressed.”
Movie-goers will see some of “the best-dressed movies” of the 20th Century – “each of which, in its own way, intrigues us from a fashion or costume perspective, in addition to being a great motion picture in its own right,” shared the team, which is comprised of about a dozen members who work year-round to bring the festival to the screen.
“All 13 films (in the line-up) relate to our theme,” added Hill.
“They either have a fashion setting for the events of the film or they have introduced some kind of iconic costume – and sometimes the character that goes with it – like Charlie Chaplin in ‘The Tramp’ and Rudolph Valentino as ‘The Shiek.’”
There are comedies, dramas, musicals, art house classics, and even horror movies – and each of them established an instantly recognizable costume, introduced a memorable wardrobe item or had fun with its fashion industry setting, the VFF team noted.
There’s even an offering for children. This year’s movie is the animated Disney classic “One Hundred and One Dalmatians.”
The VFF crew defines classic films as those that are 50 or more years old. In addition to what’s on the screen, audience members will experience live, in-the-moment piano accompaniment by Jordan Klapman to films featuring two silent stars in their iconic roles: Chaplin in The Tramp, and Valentino in The Shiek.
“It’s a real experience,” said Hill. “Many, or most, or maybe all of these films, you could find them on your streaming channels or on YouTube and watch them on your phone, but that’s no way to watch a movie.”
Instead, people gather in the Capitol – which was built in 1930 – specifically for the release of “talking pictures,” which brought synchronized dialogue and singing into film. “In terms of its style and its period, (the theatre) suits the kind of movies we show,” said Hill. “It’s a wonderful experience to watch movies together with a big audience.”
The festival also encompasses a Sunday lunch-time film talk, which will be an on-stage interview with award-winning costume designer Alex Reda. There will also be new VFF merchandise and movie banners available, a silent auction, free admission for people 25 and under, and complimentary popcorn all weekend.
These are the films for this year’s VFF: “Blowup” (1966), One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961), The Tramp (1915), “Around the World in 80 Days” (1966), “Dracula” (1931), “The Heiress” (1949), “Funny Face” (1957), “The Seven Year Itch” (1955), “Carrie” (1976), The Sheik (1921), “The Red Shoes” (1948), “8½” (1963), and “Fashions of 1934” (1934).
For additional details about the films, the schedule and/or to buy tickets, visit https://vintagefilmfestival.ca.
Movie-goers can purchase passes for the entire weekend or buy a single ticket for a select film.
The Marie Dressler Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, which is dedicated to preserving the legacy of one of Canada’s greatest actresses and advancing the appreciation of classic film through education, preservation, and community engagement. Marie Dressler (1868-1934) is recognized as “a trailblazing Canadian actress who became one of Hollywood’s most beloved stars. Her talent, strength, and authenticity broke barriers and opened doors for generations of women in film and beyond.”
To learn more about the foundation, visit https://www.mariedressler.com/about-the-foundation/.
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