Flanked by a gaggle of smartphone-wielding onlookers, Irish farmer Joe Phelan ushered two alpacas down the corridor of a local nursing home as beaming residents waited their turn to pet them.

In the 12-minute silent film "The Lad from Old Ireland," poor Irish farmer Terry (played by Sidney Olcott) has grown tired of working the land and dreams of a better life. He decides to head ...