As downtown Fayetteville fills with the festive bustle of A Dickens Holiday, the Cameo Art House Theatre is inviting the community to take a step back in time to the earliest days of cinematic storytelling. On Friday, Nov. 28 at 11:30 a.m., the Cameo will offer a free drop-in screening of the 1910 silent short film A Christmas Carol, produced by the Edison Manufacturing Company. That’s right, by Thomas Edison.
From 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the theater’s doors will remain open for guests to come and go freely while the film plays continuously throughout the hour. At just around 10 minutes in length, this century-old adaptation of Charles Dickens’ beloved holiday tale serves as a rare glimpse into the origins of narrative filmmaking and the early artistic ambitions of American cinema.
Film historians often point to the 1910 A Christmas Carol as one of the earliest surviving screen interpretations of Dickens’ work. Created at a time when motion pictures were still an emerging art form, the short is notable for its hand-tinted visuals, theatrical staging and innovative use of early camera techniques.
Though brief, the film captures the essential spirit of Dickens’ novella: Ebenezer Scrooge’s chilling encounter with Jacob Marley’s ghost, his journey with the three spirits of Christmas and his eventual transformation from miser to benefactor. Its charm lies not only in its historical value but in its earnest and atmospheric retelling of a story that continues to resonate across generations.
The Cameo chose this short film specifically for its connection to the larger A Dickens Holiday celebrations taking place downtown. As downtown fills with Victorian costumes, holiday vendors, carolers and craftspeople, the theater’s offering becomes a warm and nostalgic complement to the day’s events.
Throughout A Dickens Holiday, guests at the theater can take advantage of a Buy One, Get One free small popcorn deal, making it easier than ever to share a classic movie treat with friends and family.
Whether staying the full hour or stopping in for a few minutes between downtown activities, visitors can enjoy a warm snack while absorbing the quiet charm of early silent cinema.
For many Fayetteville residents, the Cameo's popcorn offerings are as iconic as the films themselves. The BOGO promotion adds a fun, family-friendly incentive to swing by the theater, even for those who may have never experienced a silent film before.
Silent films, especially short subjects from the early 1900s, rarely receive theatrical showings in the modern era. The Cameo’s choice to present the 1910 A Christmas Carol underscores its continued commitment to film education, historical preservation and accessible arts programming.
While today’s audiences are accustomed to dazzling visual effects, surround sound and digital clarity, silent cinema invites a different experience, one grounded in atmosphere, imagination and the expressive power of gesture.
A Dickens Holiday has become one of Fayetteville’s most beloved annual traditions, drawing visitors with its mix of Victorian flair, community spirit and warm holiday nostalgia. The Cameo’s contribution offers an opportunity for locals and out-of-town guests alike to step inside a historic theater and immerse themselves in a different era.