As I published on 3/17, the Westhampton Cinema screened its final film on Sunday, 3/20. Several dedicated patrons and former employees dropped by to share memories and thank longtime manager Elaine Browder (who’ll be moving to the Commonwealth 20). She wasn’t allowed to speak to press, but I managed to grab some surreptitious footage and a few quick interviews.

 

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Here’s a brief history of the theater (thanks to Ray Bentley):

 

Neighborhood Theaters built the Westhampton in 1938. It originally showed 2nd run films after they played downtown. In 1981, the balcony was converted to a “piggyback” theatre.

 

Popular road show films (reserved seats)

Can-Can

My Fair Lady

Lawrence of Arabia

Dr. Zhivago

2001: A Space Odyssey

Sweet Charity

 

Popular general releases (70s-90s)

Woodstock

Jaws

Blazing Saddles

Young Frankenstein

Grease

Star Trek2

Forrest Gump

Shawshank Redemption

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

Milk

Farenheit 911

Reds

 

Not to mention hundreds of foreign-language and arthouse films.