THE golden days of silent movies are returning.

A four-day Festival of Silent Cinema is to take place at Harwich’s historic Electric Palace Cinema.

The cinema, which was built in 1911 in the heyday of silent movies, will be hosting films made between 1896 and 1929, including classics, forgotten gems and curiosities.

There will be comedies, dramas, animations, features and shorts from Britain, Germany, France and the USA.

The festival will open on Thursday, May 7, with a gala reception and then the screening of the Alfred Hitchcock film, the Ring.

The festival will also include authentic accompaniment to screenings, musical performances, illustrated presentations and special attractions, such as the magic lantern shows.

Many of the films will be shown on the Electric Palace’s Kalee 35mm projectors.

Films will be projected on the cinema’s original painted screen for a more authentic experience.

A Gaumont Chrono projector will also be specially installed for the festival.

The festival will end with a guest presentation, details of which still have to be confirmed.