Bellmore Cinema

Firefighters in front of Bellmore Cinema, 1940 Courtesy:Historical Society of the Bellmores Collection, Bellmore Memorial Library

Bellmore Cinema is one of the oldest single-screen movie theaters on Long Island. Established in 1914, and located in Bellmore, New York, it has survived wars, Prohibition, two pandemics, and numerous strikes.

Owned by Henry and Anne Stampfel, it is the last single-screen movie theater on Long Island. It represents a story of film, family business, and survival. The theater has adapted by presenting events, film festivals, comedy, plays, and a mix of movies to keep seats filled in the age of Netflix, providing history, longevity, and hope for the film industry.[1]

Early history

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Bellmore Movies, situated near the Bellmore train station on Long Island, has an unassuming exterior. It has endured significant historical events, including the Spanish Flu of 1918, the Great Depression, two world wars, and numerous other conflicts and challenges. Despite losing its original marquee in a 1999 storm, the theater continues to operate, just shy of 110 years old, with its iconic crimson curtains.[2]

Closing due to a catastrophic event, it reopened to a crowd craving the "itch", their beloved Saturday afternoon matinee.[3] The marquee had been struck by lightening during a severe summer thunderstorm on July 17, 1998, and required repairs.[4]

At one time there was an old seat displayed just in front of the ticket booth of the 350 seat venue. It was found after a renovation and is from the depression era.[5] During the Kilgore family's ownership of the 20's and 30's, the theater was distinguished by its wooden floors, low ceiling beams, and a wooden ticket booth and tiny lobby that showcased silent films of the era. There was a Penny candy store (Smith Bros. Sweet Shop) on the corner and it was Pettit Ave back then[6]

Bellmore Movies

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In 1999 it reopened with a renovation that brought it up to village code. There had been talk of splitting it's screen in two, to naught.

The theater faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, but a Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) helped it recover.[7] The Stampfels, who met while working at the Oceanside Theatre in 1978, took over Bellmore Movies in 1986 and have maintained its single-screen format, focusing on careful programming and live performances.[8]

Today

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Bellmore Movies is ADA accessible and well-maintained, featuring a lobby, concession counter, and ticket booth. It hosts a variety of events, including the Lighthouse Repertory Theatre's productions, and remains a cultural landmark for the community.

In 2005 the International Film Expo hosted 3000 visitors to the venue. The Rocky Horror Show, a stage performance, was hosted here every Friday at midnight in the 2010s.[9] There is also a Latino Film Festival and a Big Fish Film Festival.[10][11]

See also

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Cinema Theater (Rochester, New York)

References

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  1. ^ Solnik, Claude (2 September 2024). "Bellmore Movies: The Last Single Screen Picture Show on Long Island". longislandpress.com. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
  2. ^ "Celebrating a landmark and years of memories". Bellmore Life. 30 June 1999. p. 19. Retrieved 2024-09-02 – via NYS Historic Newspapers.
  3. ^ "It's reopening this weekend! 'The Itch' is back!". Bellmore Life. 28 April 1999. p. 1. Retrieved 2024-09-02 – via NYS Historic Newspapers.
  4. ^ Anderson, Ruth (24 March 1999). "'The Itch' is set to reopen - It's back to the movies!". Bellmore Life. pp. 2–3. Retrieved 2024-09-02 – via NYS Historic Newspapers.
  5. ^ Schofer, Laura (24 August 2005). "Saturday night at the Bellmore Movies". Bellmore Life. Retrieved 2024-09-02 – via NYS Historic Newspapers.
  6. ^ Rice, Jack (14 February 1990). "Bellmore Movies: Here to stay!". Bellmore Life. p. 19. Retrieved 2024-09-02 – via NYS Historic Newspapers.
  7. ^ "The Small Business Administration Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program (SVOG)" (PDF). Empire State Development Corporation. 2021-04-08. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
  8. ^ "Rob Bartlett returns to Bellmore ShowPlace". Bellmore Life. 22 May 2013. p. 8. Retrieved 2024-09-02 – via NYS Historic Newspapers.
  9. ^ Finlay, Douglas (20 July 2005). "Reel-to-reel: Bellmore Film Festival". Bellmore Life. p. 2. Retrieved 2024-09-02 – via NYS Historic Newspapers.
  10. ^ Schofer, Laura (4 October 2006). "New Big Fish, Latino film festivals designed". Bellmore Life. p. 2. Retrieved 2024-09-02 – via NYS Historic Newspapers.
  11. ^ "The Long Island International Film Expo". longislandfilm.com. Retrieved 2024-09-02.

40°40′09″N 73°31′44″W / 40.669299°N 73.528843°W / 40.669299; -73.528843

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