In the latest edition of Behind The Screen — a peek behind the Crandell’s velvet curtain — Sara McWilliams fills us in on some of the latest inner-workings of the Crandell Theatre’s Operations Committee. “So what did you do with the candy?” …asked a friend and avid Crandell Theatre-goer when we closed in response to the pandemic last March. This guy has several favorite seats at the Crandell and he loves the free Member popcorn; we suspect, however, that a real high point of his movie experience is choosing between Milk Duds and peanut M&Ms as he stops at the concession counter. We were delighted to tell him that any candy or snack inventory which could not be safely returned to the supplier was donated to Stratton VA Hospital in Albany. Thanks to our Theatre Manager’s creative solution, we can…
FilmColumbia 2020 Cancelled
FilmColumbia is the Crandell’s signature event, and rather than make-do with a pared down festival, we have decided to bite the bullet and cancel this year’s festival.
We look toward to returning bigger and better next year to kick off the second decade of FilmColumbia.
A Note On Reopening the Crandell
To Our Crandell Community:
As guidelines continue to evolve around the persistent health crisis, we want to update you about some of the issues on our minds as we work toward the eventual reopening of the Crandell Theatre.
Small Business Administration’s PPP Loan Awarded
On May 12, 2020, the Crandell Theatre received a loan as part of the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The Paycheck Protection Program is designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses and nonprofit organizations to keep their workers on the payroll. The Crandell anticipates that 100% of these funds will be federally forgiven, thus turning the loan into a grant.
The News For Now
A note from Lydia Kukoff, President, Board of Directors Crandell Theatre
Dear members of our Crandell community,
Welcome to “Behind the Screen”, our way of keeping in touch with you.
Introducing Virtual Screening Room
The Crandell’s curtains will be drawn for the foreseeable future, but we’re still working to bring you some of the exciting programming that we’ve had on deck for you this spring. In partnership with some of our favorite distributors, we’re happy to announce the Crandell’s new Virtual Screening Room program. Purchase a ticket through one of the links offered on our website to watch world-class cinema in the comfort and safety of your own home — with 50% of the box office benefitting the continued operations of the Crandell Theatre. Your ticket allows you to screen the film for five days following your purchase, and you’ll be able to stream it on compatible streaming platforms, your mobile device or your web browser — please see our Virtual Screening Room FAQs for more full details. Our deepest thanks for your support during…
Enjoy Kanopy at Home
We’re in this together. Even at a mandatory six foot distance, we’re bolstered by the thoughtfulness of this remarkable community – your strength and solidarity are so appreciated as we continue to weather these strange times. While we’re all cooped up inside together/apart, we thought it would be a good opportunity to remind our friends and neighbors about an amazing at-home film resource, available to all Columbia County residents. Last year, the Crandell Theatre joined forces with Columbia County Libraries to expand access to the film streaming platform Kanopy for all card-carrying library patrons – their catalogue of over 30,000 films is available to you now, all absolutely free to view via your computer, television, or mobile device. If you’ve got a library card for one of Columbia County’s eleven library branches, you can start watching now at www.columbiacountyny.kanopy.com. No card? Not a problem. Just sign…
Coronavirus – COVID 19 – Special Update
The Crandell Theatre is working to ensure the safety of our members and patrons during the current Coronavirus threat. Our Executive Committee is adding defense and preparedness measures to our Emergency Action Plan. These measures are being developed consistent with local and state public health officials. While there is no immediate local threat, we are all aware of the probability that COVID-19 will continue to spread throughout New York State over the coming weeks. Our precautionary measures include the following: We are providing easy access to tissues in the theater for people to use to cover their mouths during coughing or sneezing. There will be plenty of handwashing soap in the bathrooms. Please wash your hands before eating and/or drinking. As all hand sanitizer brands are currently out of stock in stores, feel free to bring your own. We are…
Oscar Nominated Parasite begins Friday, February 7
In this Best Picture nominated film, director Bong Joon Ho—also nominated—brings his work home to Korea in this pitch-black modern fairytale. Meet the Park Family, the picture of aspirational wealth. And the Kim Family, rich in street smarts but not much else. When these two houses are brought together, the Kim children opportunistically install themselves as tutor and art therapist to the Parks and make themselves indispensable. Soon, a symbiotic relationship forms between the two families. When a parasitic interloper threatens the Kims’ schemes, a savage battle breaks out, threatening to destroy the fragile ecosystem between the Kims and the Parks. Screening times to follow.
Crandell Supports Public Library Streaming Service
Columbia County Libraries, with the generous support of the Crandell Theatre, have expanded the Kanopy streaming service to all the library users in Columbia County. Watch classic films from The Criterion Collection, learn about every subject imaginable from The Great Courses and PBS, or indulge in festival, indie or world cinema sourced from award-winning filmmakers globally. Kanopy makes it easy to watch any time, to share and discuss films. Check out their FilmColumbia collection, which includes dozens of films previously screened at Chatham’s annual film festival. If you’ve used Kanopy previously through the Chatham Library, you will need to add a membership to the Columbia County Libraries, which you can do by logging into Kanopy through a desktop computer, and setting that membership as the default. For additional questions, or for assistance walking you through the steps, please contact the Chatham Public Library at…
Chatham’s Big Screen Will Soon Have Little Sister
Excerpted from the September 28 edition of the Columbia Paper. The Village Planning Board met for a special meeting Monday, September 23 to review and approve the plans for a new single screen movie theater at 4 Depot Square, currently a vacant lot. The new building that will house the movie theater, faces the historic train station and sits next to the Herrington’s building supply store, will be built by Jack Shear and run by the Crandell Theatre. The Crandell, a 534 seat single screen movie theater at 48 Main Street, is owned by a not-for-profit organization. Read the entire article.