Crandell Theatre celebrates 100 years of film, community and Chatham history

Originally built as an “atmospheric theater,” the Crandell was designed to transport audiences beyond the walls of the auditorium. Its sloped floor, proscenium arch, orchestra pit and balcony seating reflected the grandeur of early 20th-century movie palaces.

Crandell Theatre in Chatham has spent a century bringing stories to the big screen, and this December the historic theater will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a yearlong tribute to the films, filmmakers and community members who have helped keep it alive.

The celebration continues Sunday, Aug. 23, with a special screening of Martin Scorsese’s “The King of Comedy,” presented as part of the theater’s 100th Anniversary Series by Bill Kramer, CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Kramer will introduce the 1982 film, a darkly comic exploration of celebrity, obsession and the pursuit of fame.

The 100th Anniversary Series invites industry leaders and film experts to share movies that have influenced them and continue to inspire new generations of audiences.

“The King of Comedy” is a fitting selection for a theater whose own story is rooted in the enduring power of cinema. Built in 1926 by Chatham native Walter S. Crandell, the theater opened on Christmas Day of that year with the silent film “Michael Strogoff.” Designed by Glens Falls architect Louis L. Wetmore in the Spanish Renaissance style, the freestanding building quickly became a beloved fixture on Main Street.

Originally built as an “atmospheric theater,” the Crandell was designed to transport audiences beyond the walls of the auditorium. Its sloped floor, proscenium arch, orchestra pit and balcony seating reflected the grandeur of early 20th-century movie palaces. Sound equipment was added in 1929, allowing the theater to transition from silent films to “talkies.”

Over the decades, ownership changed hands, but the theater remained a gathering place for generations of moviegoers. In 2010, following the death of longtime owner Tony Quirino, the theater faced an uncertain future. Community members rallied to save it, with the Chatham Film Club raising approximately $600,000 to purchase the building and complete critical repairs.

The Crandell reopened as a nonprofit community theater in July 2010. In 2018, the organization officially adopted the theater’s name, bringing together its film programming, preservation efforts and annual FilmColumbia Festival under one mission: preserving the theater as a cultural anchor for Chatham and the surrounding region.

A major restoration and modernization project was completed in 2025, bringing the historic theater up to current standards while preserving its architectural character. The renovation included updates to the auditorium, projection systems and building infrastructure.

For former board member Carol Sadlon, the upcoming centennial represents both a celebration of the theater’s history and a testament to the community that has protected it.

“It has been an honor to serve on the Board of the extraordinarily unique Crandell Theatre, celebrating its 100th birthday this December,” Sadlon said. “Renovating the not-for-profit community theater has been a labor of love and commitment for all involved.”

Sadlon noted that the theater’s creation in 1926 reflected the optimism of the era, and that the same spirit continues today.

“Walter S. Crandell, successful Wall Street investor and native son of Chatham, built the 500-seat theater for a community of 3,000 people,” she said. “Thanks to an equally optimistic group of people, the Chatham Film Club, who purchased the theater in 2010, and a very generous community, the theater lives on to continue entertaining for future generations.”

The Crandell Theatre’s 100th Anniversary Series screening of “The King of Comedy” will take place Sunday, Aug. 23, at 4 p.m.

For tickets and more information, visit crandelltheatre.org.