A crowd of about 70 aficionados gathered at The Moviehouse in Millerton on Saturday, Nov. 18, for a screening marking the start of the new Orkin/Engel exhibit at Mad Rose Gallery.
Gallery owner Neal Rosenthal thanked audience members and The Moviehouse for the opportunity to recognize the significance of Ruth Orkin’s contribution to both filmmaking and photography, and to enhance the meanings and references in the photographs in the gallery show. He then introduced filmmaker Mary Engel, the daughter of Ruth Orkin and Morris Engel, whose 18-minute Sundance Film Festival-accepted documentary was shown first.
“Ruth Orkin: Frames of Life” is a tribute to the younger Engel’s mother, by all accounts an extraordinary woman from a remarkable family. In 1939, 17-year-old Ruth bicycled across the United States, using her 2 1/4-inch Pilot 6 camera to document street life along the way and to form her unique style. The trip, and a handsome catalogue of those photos, is currently featured at the Cartier-Bresson Foundation in Paris. The documentary features luminaries Mary Ellen Mark and Cornell Capa, among others, extolling Orkin’s eye and discussing what makes photography art or not.
The original 80-minute “Little Fugitive,” available on Kanopy and other streaming services, is compelling for its story of a small boy on the loose in New York City subways and at Coney Island, and visually rich with its black and white compositions that are clearly, as Rosenthal pointed out, the work of a consummate photographer. Orkin was responsible for the editing and other uncredited work on the film, and present in some cameos.
In a post-film Q&A, Mary Engel addressed “questions people always ask” and others. Though casting was done in the usual way by approaching professionals and schools, the young hero Joey was played by 7-year-old Richie Andrusco, who was discovered on the carousel in Coney Island. Andrusco’s mother permitted her child to take part, with the proviso that she would not pay for it. “We’ll pay you, and take him off your hands for a month”, she was told by the producers. Now 77, Andrusco never acted again, but did buy his family a house in Queens.
As to who directed the film, the astonishing answer was the young Andrusco himself, who was plied with treats and allowed to follow his wishes. One of the pleasures of the film is the perspective of the shots as seen through the eyes of someone not yet 4 feet tall. A sea of naked legs and hips with the more modest swimwear of the 1950s is almost everywhere he turns in the crowded beach scenes.
The nostalgia value was high for the audience of both films and photos, and differences between mores of the 1950s and now, were instructive. The "child alone in public" concept was one; also, as physician Neil Hoffman of Millerton pointed out, obesity was nearly absent in the crowd scenes. We are now “slightly taller, and much heavier,” according to the CDC.
Other astounding facts were the film’s budget — a paltry $35,000 — and the fact that its entire sound track was recorded in post-production, from its raucous carnies to its haunting harmonica riffs and boisterous child bickering.
At Mad Rose Gallery, Morris Engel’s photos taken in Harlem are particularly riveting, and seeing Orkin’s famed “American Girl in Italy, Florence,” with model Jinx striding chin up through a crowd of leering men, is a treat. The 33 images on view range in price according to whether they are Vintage or Lifetime, Signed or Stamped, by either Orkin or Engel. The Gallery show extends until Sunday, Dec. 31.
CANAAN — It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Ann Beizer, who died on Nov. 13, 2024, at the age of 80 after a courageous battle with progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare and debilitating disease that took away her ability to move, see clearly, and swallow. Ann’s strength and resilience throughout her illness was an inspiration to all who knew her, even as the disease took its toll.
Born on Sept. 12, 1944, in Washington, DC, Ann was raised in Glasgow, West Virginia, where both of her parents were school teachers. She earned a Master’s degree in counseling from West Virginia University and went on to teach high school history. Later, she led a not-for-profit organization before becoming the Director of Academic Advising at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). At WPI, Ann also served as a Project Advisor, guiding students on international work projects in Italy and Puerto Rico. Her commitment to education and mentorship earned her a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to Germany, further advancing her career in academic advising.
Ann’s life was marked by an unwavering dedication to helping others. She retired from WPI to care for her then-husband, Robert Gillette, during his battle with cancer. After Robert’s passing in 2005, Ann met and subsequently married Lance Beizer. Ann and Lance lived in California for one year before relocating to Lance’s childhood hometown of Canaan. In their new community, Ann quickly became an active leader, joining the 21st-Century Fund of the Housatonic Valley Regional High School, where she was awarded emerita status. She also contributed to the Salisbury Rotary Club, serving as scholarship chair and president, and was deeply involved with St. John’s Episcopal Church in Salisbury, where she served on the altar guild and vestry, as well as an acolyte and chalice bearer. With Lance, Ann was recipient of the 2022 Donald T. Warner award for service to the communities served by Region 1 schools.
Ann is survived by her loving husband, Lance Beizer; her son, Mike Garvin (children Andrew and Leah), and his wife, Mary Amirault (children Sean and Matt); her daughter, Elizabeth Houlihan (children Craig, Evan, and Lauren) and Elizabeth’s fiancé, John Aherne.
The family extend their heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers who supported Ann and Lance throughout the course of her illness, including the dedicated staff from Salisbury Visiting Nurse Association (SVNA), Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Litchfield County, and Geer Nursing, where Ann spent her final months in hospice care.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Ann’s memory to the Salisbury Visiting Nurse Association, Geer Nursing, or CurePSP, an organization dedicated to research into potential treatments for progressive supranuclear palsy.
Ann’s legacy of kindness, generosity, and intellectual curiosity will live on in the countless lives she touched.
A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. on Dec. 21, 2024, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 12 Main Street, Salisbury, CT with Rev. Paul “Chris” Christopherson officiating. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home, 118 Main Street, Canaan, CT 06018.
SHARON — Dr. Fred G. Kantrowitz, 78, of Medfield, Massachusetts, Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts and Sharon passed away Nov. 13, 2024, at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. He was the loving husband of Anne Kirby, devoted father of Gregory and William, father-in-law of Katie and Brittanny, and proud grandfather of Jack, Ava and Jameson.
Fred was born Dec. 10, 1945 in Brooklyn, New York, the son of the late Theo and Dinah (Kotick) Kantrowitz. His own health struggles as a child, intellectual curiosity and desire to help others led him to a career in medicine. Fred’s illustrious medical career was highlighted by nearly 50 years on the Beth Israel staff, more than 30 published works and a chapter as teamdoctor for the Boston Celtics. Later in his career, he developed a reputation for being the doctor to handle only the most complex cases, including long Covid.
Fred’s work also occasionally crossed with his personal interests, which were numerous. From interviewing Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford for his book on sports medicine to his passion forliterature, Fred’s intellectual curiosity meant he could hold a conversation with nearly anyone on any topic. His many hobbies and interests included model trains, stamps and coins, freshwater fishing, horseback riding, sports, and history.
Fred married Anne, the love of his life, on Dec. 5, 1981 during a blizzard in Boston. In addition to Anne and his immediate family, he is survived by his brother Marc (Marianne), sister Sue (Mark), and many loving nieces and nephews.
A private memorial service was held at the Kenny Funeral Home in Sharon, on Saturday Nov. 16, at 10:00 a.m., followed by burial at St. Bernard’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the following causes: Martha’s Vineyard (MV) Museum, 151 Lagoon Pond Road, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, Sharon Historical Society, 18 Main Street, Sharon, CT, 06069 , Charles River School, 6 Old Meadow Road, Dover, MA 02030.
CANAAN — Rose Moskowitz, 98, of Geer Village in Canaan, passed away on Nov. 9, 2024. She was the loving wife of the late Bernard Moskowitz.
Rose was born Aug. 2, 1926, in New York City, the daughter of the late David and Regina (Shanker) Gunn.
Rose graduated from high school in the Bronx.
Her late husband served in the U.S. Army during WWII and survived D-Day on the beaches of France. Rose Moskowitz was a kind and sweet woman who deeply loved her family.
She is survived by a son, Larry Moskowitz (Nancy Moskowitz) of Sharon, a daughter, Arlene Greenspan (Harold Greenspan) of Boston, five grandchildren; Jesse, Melissa, Evan, Keith and Elena and two great grandchildren, Hazel and Simon. She was predeceased by her five siblings.
A private memorial service for the family will be held in the spring.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sharon Housing Trust, P.O. Box 1168, Sharon, CT. 06069 or on the website SHTCT.org. in memory of Rose Moskowitz.
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.
WASSAIC — Doreen B. Newton, 76, a lifelong resident of Wassaic, died on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at Kindred Hospital in Passaic, New Jersey. Ms. Newton was an assistant social worker at Taconic Developmental Disabilities Office in Wassaic, for 30 years, retiring in 2005.
Born on Nov. 24, 1947 in Sharon, she was the daughter of the late William and Doris (Shook) Barlow. She was a graduate of Webutuck High School Class of 1965. An avid reader, Ms. Newton enjoyed mystery novels and crossword puzzles. Above all, she loved her grandchildren.
Ms. Newton is survived by her son, Brent Newton of Wassaic, and two daughters, Catherine Newton and Jennifer Vallely and her husband, Glenn, both of Wassaic; her sister, Constance Sprossel of Maine; her brother, Jesse Barlow of Peru, New York and her grandchildren, Emma and Lucas Vallely and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a sister, Marylou Farnham and a brother, Thomas Barlow. To send the family an online condolence, visit www.hufcutfuneralhome.com.
