Civil War, director Alex Garland’s latest cautionary tale, is coming to the Crandell later this month. Check our Coming Soon page for more movies in the wings!
Three New Directors Elected to the Crandell Theatre Board
posted on February 15, 2024
The Crandell Theatre Board of Directors approved three new members to the Crandell board at its January annual meeting: John T. Lillis, a retired tax attorney; Mirissa Neff, a documentary filmmaker; and Carol Sadlon, the former owner of Cinerom cinemas and Millerton’s The Moviehouse. According to Crandell Board President Lydia Kukoff, “This is such an exciting moment for the Crandell. As we get closer to the full renovation of our beloved theater, we are delighted to welcome John, Mirissa, and Carol to our extraordinary board. They bring with them a wealth of talent and expertise that will further enrich our thinking and planning for the future.” John T. Lillis John T. Lillis retired as partner of White & Case LLP, a New York City law firm, in 2019. During his 39-year tenure at the firm, he focused on the tax…
A Message from the Executive Director
posted on February 2, 2024
Dear Crandell Community, I am writing to let you know that I have made the difficult decision to step down as Executive Director of the Crandell Theatre to pursue personal interests (i.e., retirement!). March 29th will be my last official day. A search by the Crandell’s board for the next person to assume the position is already underway. As the Crandell enters these final months of fundraising to complete the renovation and restoration of our beloved, nearly 100-year-old historic theater, it is the ideal time for a new era of leadership to steer us into our next iteration of the independent, community-based nonprofit cinema you know and love. It’s an understatement to say that it has been a true honor to have played a role in growing the Crandell’s nonprofit organization over the last twelve years. When I started, ticket…
“High Noon’s Hidden Backstory” to Shed Light on Blacklisted Screenwriter Carl Foreman
posted on December 6, 2023
Benefit screening on December 9 at 7 pm and post-show Q+A with Dr. Amanda Foreman in conversation with Peter Biskind (Chatham, NY—November 21, 2023) — The historic Crandell Theatre on Chatham’s Main Street is pleased to present “High Noon’s Hidden Backstory,” about blacklisted screenwriter Carl Foreman, on December 9 at 7 pm. The documentary short High Noon on the Waterfront (2022) and a special screening of the 1952 film High Noon, starring Gary Cooper, will be introduced by acclaimed historian and Kinderhook resident Dr. Amanda Foreman, FRSA. Following the screenings, Dr. Foreman will discuss her father’s time during the McCarthy era with author Peter Biskind, a Crandell board member. Tickets are $20 and will benefit the theater’s upcoming restoration and renovation. High Noon, written by Carl Foreman, is an untraditional Western starring Gary Cooper, Grace Kelly and Katy Jurado. The…
Leonard Bernstein’s Life and Legacy Celebrated in Maestro
posted on December 4, 2023
Benefit screening on December 16 at 7 pm and post-show Q+A with Nina Bernstein Simmons in conversation with Christopher Rothko Nina Bernstein Simmons and Christopher Rothko Purchase Tickets (Chatham, NY—December 4, 2023) — This December, the historic Crandell Theatre on Chatham’s Main Street is pleased to present Maestro, Bradley Cooper’s brilliant biopic of legendary conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein. Following a special screening of the film on Saturday, December 16, at 7 pm, Bernstein’s youngest daughter, Nina Bernstein Simmons, will take to the stage for a discussion of her father’s legacy and her family’s involvement in the genesis of the movie. Christopher Rothko, son of abstract painter Mark Rothko and a classical music critic, will join Bernstein Simmons to discuss the intersecting creative influences and achievements of two of the greatest artists of the 20th century. Directed by and…
National Cinema Day
This Sunday: 8/27/23
posted on August 22, 2023
If you haven’t seen Oppenheimer yet and crave a bargain, come to the Crandell on Sunday at a ticket price not seen since the late 1980s. That’s right, a mere $4 gets you in to see a mighty big film on our historic single screen. National Cinema Day was a huge success when it debuted last year and the Crandell is thrilled to participate again this summer! 12:30 PM and 4 PM SHOWS ONLY $4
Succession Star Brian Cox in Conversation at the Crandell
July 6
posted on June 20, 2023
(Chatham, NY, June 20, 2023)—The Crandell Theatre is thrilled to announce that celebrated Succession star Brian Cox will join FilmColumbia’s Peter Biskind live on stage for a special Q+A on Thursday, July 6, at 7 pm to benefit the renovation and restoration of Chatham’s historic theater. Cox and Biskind will discuss Cox’s Succession character, media titan Logan Roy, and the staggering success of the acclaimed HBO series. Tickets are $25 per person. All proceeds from the event will benefit the restoration fund. When Succession debuted in 2018 it became a cultural phenomenon across four riveting seasons. Created by Jesse Armstrong, the series also stars Jeremy Strong, Sarah Snook, Matthew Macfadyen and Kieran Culkin. Cox’s portrayal of Roy, the family patriarch, earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination, a Golden Globe Award and a legion of new fans. Nearly 3 million tuned…
The Crandell to Launch May Membership Drive
May 6
posted on April 27, 2023
KICK-OFF MEMBER DAY: May 6, 10 am – 4 pm The Crandell Theatre invites area residents and families to participate in a day of free film-themed activities on Saturday, May 6, from 10 am to 4 pm at the historic theater in Chatham, New York. The program includes family short films, tours of the theater, photo opportunities with film celebrity cutouts, and marquee cookies created for the occasion by Pooky Amsterdam of PookyStudio. Admission to the regularly scheduled 1 pm screening of The Eagle Huntress, an award-winning documentary about the first female eagle hunter in twelve generations of a nomadic Mongolian family, is free for new and current members. Those who join the Crandell or renew their memberships on May 6 or anytime during May receive free admission to all films during the month. According to Annie Brody, Crandell…
Award-Winning Writer, Producer, Director James Schamus Elected to Crandell Theatre Board
posted on April 14, 2023
James Schamus was elected to a three-year term on the Crandell Theatre board at its January annual meeting. Schamus, who has had a home in Columbia County for 25 years, is a longtime supporter of the Crandell, and was honored at the 2018 FilmColumbia festival. By providing FilmColumbia with advance screenings of films he produced, such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Pianist, and Brokeback Mountain, Schamus helped anchor the young festival with quality cinema. “By adding his invaluable perspective to our film programming efforts, James Schamus will help us navigate these changing and challenging times in the film industry,” said Crandell Board President Lydia Kukoff. “He has shown himself to be fully engaged in the issues of maintaining and sustaining the Crandell as a vital presence in the Chatham community.” “People-supported theaters such as the Crandell are not just…
Celebrate Earth Day Weekend at the Crandell
April 22 + 23
posted on
On April 22 and 23 the Crandell Theatre will join the community in celebrating Earth Day with two special screenings that explore our critical relationship with the environment and the steps we can all take to ensure our planet’s future. Crandell Kid Flicks: The Lorax The inaugural season of Crandell Kid Flicks, the theater’s family-friendly film and activity series, concludes on Saturday, April 22, at 1 pm with a screening of the Dr. Seuss classic The Lorax. An eye-popping, 3D computer-animated update of the beloved original book and 1972 cel-animated TV movie, the film features the voices of Danny DeVito, Ed Helms, Zac Efron, Taylor Swift and Betty White. With an environmental message still as urgent as ever, the film follows Ted, a 12-year-old boy living in a world devoid of nature who searches for the one thing that will…
CRANDELL KID FLICKS: A New Saturday Matinee Film + Activity Series for Families
posted on January 11, 2023
The Crandell Theatre is very pleased to announce the launch later this month of Crandell Kid Flicks, a new family-friendly Saturday matinee series of contemporary classic children’s films (animated and live action) offered January through April on the fourth Saturday of each month at 1 pm. The series aims to provide the youngest moviegoers with fun, safe, exciting and positive opportunities to become engaged in the arts. Chatham’s beautiful, historic, single-screen movie house is the backdrop for an afternoon of educational fun that puts each film into special focus for these budding film lovers. This new series was created for Chatham-area families with children ages 3-12 in mind. Each film is paired with guest presenters and fun, theme-centered activities. Special Admission: $5 per ticket Crandell Kid Flicks is curated by the Crandell’s brand new Parent Advisory Task Force and co-chaired…