Eighteen years ago (1992), a group of film enthusiasts involved in the restoration of the Marie Dressler house had a wild idea. Why not hold a festival showing the films in which Marie Dressler had starred?

This seemingly fantastic idea grew into the present form, in which we show a variety of films generally made before 1945. One film always features Ms. Dressler, but others range from very old, silent films starring Mary Pickford, Erich von Stroheim or Douglas Fairbanks, to talkies and musicals. More on Marie Dressler. And here.

The Marie Dressler Foundation would like to thank the Rotary Club of Cobourg for a donation
to allow the acquisition of Marie Dressler Memorabilia in time for display at the 2010 Festival.

Originally held in August, more recently the festival takes place on the last weekend of October.

The venue has changed several times too, making it like "the oldest established floating crap game" but most recently many of the films are shown at the restored atmospheric Capitol Theatre in Port Hope. On the Friday night of the festival weekend, films are always shown at a Cobourg location.

In 2010, the Cobourg location will be Victoria Hall and the Port Hope location will be the Capitol Theatre.