The Callicoon Theatre, a staple in the hamlet of Callicoon as a source of entertainment and a house of theatrical art, celebrated its 75th birthday over the past weekend.

Through ups and downs, film and live theater, and everything in between, the classic, one-screen movie theater has worked tirelessly to keep the magic of cinema alive and thriving for three quarters of a century. To date, it is the oldest continually operated cinema in the county! 

To celebrate the momentous occasion, the theater screened a rough cut of an upcoming feature documentary which is being crafted by local film makers. What better way to rejoice in local theater than by showing locally produced movies? There is none!

Reaching this milestone did not come without challenges, most notably the recent closing and reopening due to Covid-19 back in 2022.

 The owner, Krissy Smith, who purchased the theater roughly five years ago, noted previously that because of the nature of the movie theater, it was one of the first businesses to have to close, and one of the last to be able to open their doors. But dedication prevailed, and in February of last year, the film reels started rolling once again.

Under Smith’s care, and with the backing of many supporters, the past five years have seen some revitalization of the historic building and its purpose in the digital age, with the addition of a wooden stage for live performances and a greater range of diverse programming.

The rise of at-home entertainment has challenged the theater industry as a whole, but the Callicoon Theater found ways to continue the time-honored traditions of showing motion pictures on the silver screen, warming the popcorn to buttery perfection and giving space to new art. 

We wish the Callicoon Theater a very happy 75 years. 

Keep the cameras rolling and never say “cut” - this is one extended take we can’t keep our eyes off of! Check their website for updates: thecallicoontheater.com.

Cheers to 75 more star-studded, locally-listed years!