‘Jaws’ benefit to help The Moviehouse

MILLERTON — Just as audiences were getting ready to leave the water in anticipation of fall, The Moviehouse will reel them back for Labor Day weekend with a special drive-in movie benefit featuring the 1975 classic “Jaws” at the Sharon Playhouse’s new drive-in theater. Yet the upcoming showing of the ultimate shark tale on Sunday, Sept. 6, aims to do more than bid a final farewell to summer. Through their attendance, community members of all ages will be able to show their support for The Moviehouse as one of many independent movie theaters that have struggled this year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

From a two-story historic Grange Hall to a boarded-up, single-screen porno house, The Moviehouse, located at 48 Main St. in Millerton, was given a new life when its co-founders and owners, Robert and Carol Sadlon of Lakeville, Conn., transformed the building into a landmark movie theater in 1977. Cherished by patrons from all walks of life, The Moviehouse has served as an enduring resource for art, entertainment and culture in the village during the last 43 years. Beyond weekly showings of the latest blockbusters and independent films, the theater offers National Theater Live productions, midnight premiere screenings, art exhibitions on screen and in the theater’s gallery, select screenings with post-screening discussions, opera screenings and screenings of the Bolshoi Ballet.

Along with employees from the local area, the Sadlons spent the better part of four decades creating unforgettable experiences for their patrons. Sadly, Robert passed away last year, on May 15, 2019, following a lengthy battle with brain cancer. But Carol has carried on the duo’s long-standing traditions.

Every summer, The Moviehouse screens the latest blockbusters; for the winter holidays, the theater offers free screenings of holiday films followed by free horse and carriage rides around the village during a community-wide celebration for all to enjoy.

When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in March, The Moviehouse was forced to close on March 15,  following the governor’s orders.

But what started as a temporary closure has now turned into more than five months without opening its doors, as movie theaters across New York State have yet to receive the go-ahead to reopen. While The Moviehouse has sustained itself thanks to switching to a virtual platform, it’s been tough, said public relations rep Helen Seslowsky.

“The longer it goes on, the harder it becomes to just sort of tread water and maintain status quo until we can reopen.

“It’s not just a question of not being able to open the doors — it’s also the question of there not being a lot of films out there. We’re kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place.”

Extending a helping hand to assist a local theater in need, the nearby Sharon Playhouse offered The Moviehouse a collaborative opportunity to host the benefit at its new drive-in theater. Like The Moviehouse, the Sharon Playhouse’s operations came to a standstill when COVID-19 struck, inspiring it to also find creative ways of staying afloat in the pandemic.

“It was marvelous because we’ve not seen our audiences at all and it’s provided us with a forum where we can see people in a safe and socially distanced and sensible way and have people enjoy themselves in an event as they used to,” Seslowsky said.

For her part, Carol Sadlon said the Sharon Playhouse has gone a long way in helping support The Moviehouse.

“They’ve been extraordinarily helpful and kind to us in reaching out to help create events for us when they’re in the same situation we’re in,” Sadlon said. “I don’t know where we’re going — we’re going to take it one day at a time and do our best to stay as vital as possible. I want us to be able to get to the other side, but it’s a huge economic challenge for me.”

Nat Benchley, brother of “Jaws” author Peter Benchley, and a resident of Sharon, Conn., will be at the benefit on Sept. 6.

“I think it’s interesting that ‘Jaws’ has taken on a new relevance, particularly this year,” said Benchley. “It has been in the public eye for 45 years and at times, the horror aspect has overpowered the sociological aspect of the story. Basically, if you think about it, if the townsfolk of Amity had bothered to listen to the experts and close the beaches, there would have been no free lunch for the shark and there would be no story.”

The Sharon Playhouse is at 49 Amenia Road in Sharon. Tickets cost $50 per car and will include a goody bag with popcorn, candy and other treats. The Sharon Playhouse patio bar will be open and dinner will be available for pre-order pickup at the event. Menu options and ordering details will be online at www.themoviehouse.net; the order deadline is Friday, Sept. 4.

Patrons are encouraged to arrive at 6 p.m.; the film will start at 7:45 p.m. Benchley will introduce the film and share insights and anecdotes at 7:15 p.m. Through the generosity of Wendy Benchley, Peter’s widow, special edition commemorative T-shirts will be sold at $20 each; all proceeds will go to The Moviehouse.

This benefit marks the first in a series of drive-in movie screenings scheduled to benefit The Moviehouse, which will be held on Sundays throughout the month of September. 

To order tickets and learn more about the September screenings, go to www.themoviehouse.net.

An avid supporter and member of The Moviehouse, Benchley praised Sadlon for keeping the theater open at this time.

“I think The Moviehouse is important not just for Millerton but for the Northwest Corner,” he said. “She and Robert created a wonderful resource there and employed local people. They had grand designs for the building, and they put in a lot of work and rescued that space, so I think anything we can do for them in this trying time is important.”