Last week at the Sayville Library an adult
program, "Magic of Main Street Movies" was
presented by me, Joan O'Sullivan Lengyel.
I opened the program by showing how "Magic of
Main Street Movies" came into being. I mentioned
being a member of the Theatre Historical Society
of America and the UK counter-part Cinema
Theatre Association. The attendees were able to
view my theatre renderings from Maine to
California. As I showed the paintings, I gave
the history of each movie house. A question was
asked about the medium I was using. In the
beginning it was pen and pencil (as a sidebar I
made mention of collecting my "tools" in my
travels). I would incorporate pencils especially
from the USA and perhaps some twenty odd
countries around the world.
Next on the agenda was a slide presentation by
fellow THSOA member, Orlando Lopes. In this show
you saw the following theatres. Roxy, Radio City
Music Hall, Valencia, Paradise, Loews Jersey,
Paramount-Brooklyn and NYC, the Fox also
Brooklyn, Loews 175th street and the Loews Kings
and of course our beloved Patchogue and Bay
Shore houses. There was room for some of the
"neighborhood" houses also. " I remember it was
a nickel to get in, I paid ten cents". Do you
remember "dish night" and the talent contests?"
The audience was becoming animated with their
memories and busting with glee to recall "the
good old days". The banter could have continued
but there was one more item.
As mentioned above, past Director NYC/ Metro
Area member of THSOA Orlando Lopes, had one more
contribution to make. The audiance was shown a
film that was made over forty years ago that he
had joyously restored. The film was documented
by an 89 year old projectionist. His last job
being at the "Kings". Breaking into sobs the
elderly gentleman brought us face to face with
the vacated, water damaged, vandalized hulk that
was once Brooklyn's largest indoor theatre. We
filled up with what we were viewing and asking,
"how could this be allowed to happen?" BUT, hot
off the press, the "Kings" is set for a 70
million restoration.
We are fortunate in Sayville to have our own
main street, family run theatre, yes the
Sayville Theatre. The magic is being removed
from many main streets in America. Lindenhurst
lost the battle to keep their theatre. Islip
theatre went to the eleventh hour before it was
saved from the wrecking ball.
Last call was being announced and we got out of
the Library just under the wire. We were all
teenagers that night with our individual and
shared memories of the "Magic of Main Street
Movies".
About the Author:
Joan O'Sullivan Lengyel now says she "freelances
in creativity". With her love of the movies she
started to sketch the facades of movie theaters
across the US which she turned into boutique
stationery, presently being sold at the Islip
Art Museum Gift Store. Wanting to expand her
interest she sought out and joined the Theatre
Historical Society of America. THSOA has a
yearly Conclave which travels to different parts
of the US. This year it is the mid-west and more
theatres to be explored.. THSOA has an
international membership so now many of Joan's
pals are from the UK. Last year she joined their
organization the "Cinema Theatre Association"
which gives her the opportunity to travel Europe
to seek out "more" movie houses. One memorable
visit to Scotland was a special treat, a
personal full day tour of the theatres of
Glasgow. (thank you Gordon and Gary). Speaking
of Scotland, one Scot has been part of Mrs.
Lengyel's life since she saw him in the movie
the "Phantom of the Opera" namely, actor Gerard
Butler. Her friend said you should be on Mr.
Butler's payroll as a publicist/promoter. Joan
did get to be an extra in his most recent film
"The Bounty Hunter", which was payment enough.
Joan calls Mr. Butler her creative "muse". She
will be attending the Premiere of the film and
the after party. "Bounty" was not her first
first foray into movie acting. Joan appeared in
a movie that was filmed in our own Sayville
Theatre, "The Maltese Murder Mystery".
Joan is a member of the Sayville Wet Paints and
was an officer for many years. She was
introduced to the National League of American
Pen Women, joined, and within a few years became
the President of the Suffolk Branch. She is
preparing to join "Women Sharing Art" Joan is
also a Lecturer and a Teacher
