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Billy B. Van’s Lost 1919 Silent Comedies Return to Newport on November 1st

Text on a black background reading 'VAN-AR-CHY' in white, ornate font.

A century after local streets and landmarks served as a backdrop for early American cinema, a rediscovered piece of our region’s history is returning home.

On Sunday, November 1, at 2:00 PM, the Newport Historical Society and the Sunapee Historical Society will co-present Van-ar-chy Comes Home: Billy B. Van’s Lost Silent Comedies at the Historic Newport Opera House.

A promotional flyer for the event 'Van-Ar-Chy Comes Home' featuring lost silent comedies by Billy B. Van. The event will take place on Sunday, November 1st, at 2:00 PM at the Historic Newport Opera House in Newport, NH. The flyer includes details about the event, ticket pricing, and information about piano accompaniment.

Rediscovered Across the Globe, Restored in New Hampshire

Billy B. Van, a famed vaudeville entertainer, established one of northern New England’s earliest movie studios right here in Georges Mills. Using the surrounding towns and local residents as extras, Van produced slapstick comedies that captured Lake Sunapee-area life at the dawn of the silent film era.

For over a century, his 1919 short comedy Van-ar-chy was feared lost to history. That changed when a surviving print was recently discovered in Japan. Brought back across the globe, the film has been painstakingly restored right here in New Hampshire by film archivist John Tariot.

A man in a suit and hat joyfully poses atop a weather vane shaped like a cow, perched on a rooftop structure against a circular light background.
A group of five men, dressed in early 20th-century clothing, gathered around a seated man who is partially covered by a quilt. They are engaged in conversation, with expressions of curiosity and interest.
A black and white historical photograph featuring a man and a woman standing on a sidewalk next to a sign that reads 'KORN ALLEY'. The woman, dressed in a long coat and hat, is gesturing, while the man, wearing a suit and bow tie, looks on. Reflections of buildings are visible in the bank window behind them.

An Authentic Silent Era Afternoon

This special screening marks the film’s official homecoming premiere. The afternoon’s presentation features:

  • Two 1919 Silent Comedies: Screenings of both Van-ar-chy and Billy B. Van’s only other known surviving film, Where Are Your Husbands?
  • Live Musical Score: A brand-new live piano accompaniment composed and performed in real time by acclaimed pianist Bob Merrill.
  • Local Faces & Places: Audience members might just spot ancestral family members, historic downtown storefronts, and recognizable Lake Sunapee landscapes.
  • Community Benefit: All ticket proceeds directly support preservation efforts and educational programming by the Newport Historical Society and the Sunapee Historical Society.

Event Details & Tickets

  • When: Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 2:00 PM
  • Where: Historic Newport Opera House, 20 Main Street, Newport, NH
  • Admission: $15 general admission.
  • Amenities: Cash bar available (21+, ID required)
  • To Purchase Tickets:
    • Call the Box Office: Contact the Newport Opera House box office directly at 603-863-2412 (office hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM).
    • Online via Opera House: Direct online sales at newportoperahouse.com under their “Purchase Tickets” section.
  • More Information: Visit billybvan.com.

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