“OYSTER FLIX” Ready for its Next Close-up, Movies the 2nd Friday of Each Month

Second Series of Three Films is Announced



The first three evenings of the new “Oyster Flix” movie series attracted many filmgoers eager to see the return of movies to downtown Oyster Bay. The premiere offering of “Sabrina” in February, the second presentation“The Great Gatsby” in March, and the third offering of “North by Northwest” in April all played to enthusiastic audiences. Now it is time for the second series of three special film evenings.

Continuing with our theme of films in some way connected to Long Island, OBMSA is proud to announce the next series of three, all held on the second Friday of the month:

• May 13—“A New Leaf” RSVP on Facebook!


• June 10—“Zelig” RSVP on Facebook!


• July 8—“The Wind & the Lion” RSVP on Facebook!

The time is 7:30 p.m. at the OBMSA office (aka Oyster Flix Theatre), 17 Audrey Avenue. Come early to get some popcorn—provided by Bob Liebert of Gooseberry Grove—and candy and a good seat; stay late to participate in a discussion after the film. There is a $5 suggested donation per person at the door.

Contact www.oysterbaymainstreet.org or 516-922-6982 for more information.

See Walter Matthau in 'A New Leaf' this Friday night at 7:30pm

Remember what Walter Matthau looked like at age 51? Frances Louise Ward (pictured at right) produced this sculptural bust of Matthau in 1971 when he was filming A New Leaf right here on Long Island.

VideoHoud’s Golden Movie Retriever describes A New Leaf as follows:

A playboy who has depleted his financial resources tries to win the hand of a clumsy heiress. May was the first woman to write, direct and star in a movie. She was unhappy with the cuts that were made by the studio, but that didn’t seem to affect its impact with the public. Even with the cuts, the film is still funny and May’s performance is worth watching.

So, be sure to join us this Friday, at 7:30pm, for a screening of A New Leaf as part of the Oyster Flix film series, right here at 17 Audrey Avenue! RSVP on Facebook right now!

OYSTER FLIX Ready for Third Movie Night Downtown, April 8, 7:30pm

OYSTER FLIX Ready for Third Movie Night Downtown
Second Series of Three Films is Announced


The first two evenings of the new “Oyster Flix” movie series attracted many filmgoers eager to see the return of movies to downtown Oyster Bay. The premiere offering of “Sabrina” in February, and the second event “The Great Gatsby” in March, both played to enthusiastic audiences. Now it is time for the third presentation.
On Friday, April 8, the Oyster Bay Main Street Association (OBMSA) will be screening “North by Northwest.” The time is 7:30 p.m. at the OBMSA office (aka Oyster Flix Theatre), 17 Audrey Avenue. Come early to get some popcorn—provided by Bob Liebert of Gooseberry Grove—and candy and a good seat; stay late to participate in a discussion moderated by film historian Irene Porco Eckert. There is a $5 suggested donation per person at the door.

And continuing with our theme of films in some way connected to Long Island, OBMSA is proud to announce the next series of three, all held on the second Friday of the month:

May 13—“A New Leaf”
RSVP on Facebook Today!


June 10—“Zelig”
RSVP on Facebook Today!


July 8—“The Wind & the Lion”
RSVP on Facebook Today!

Contact www.oysterbaymainstreet.org or 516-922-6982 for more information.

Eve Griffon to be Surprise Guest at Oyster Flix, 3/11, 7:30pm

Photo by Ellen Ermanovics
“The green light” at the end of Daisy’s dock will be an invitation to all to watch F. Scott Fitzgerald’s tale of 1920 society life on Long Island. Eve Griffon will be on hand for a screening of The Great Gatsby this Friday, 7:30pm at 17 Audrey Avenue in Oyster Bay. Her husband, Bob Griffon, Sr., was one of the many technicians from Long Island who worked on this film during the summer of 1974. The filming of The Great Gatsby took place on Long Island and in Newport, Rhode Island.

The cast included Robert Redford, Mia Farrow, Sam Waterson [before he worked on Law & Order], Bruce Dern, Karen Black, and Lois Childes. They loved making this film, as the sets and costumes were all unique. Bob Sr.’s movie resume include The Exorcist, Godfather I & II, Saturday Night Fever, Tootsie, and The World According to Garp. Today the Griffon Family is still making movies in New York and on Long Island.

Please come to Oyster Bay on March 11th and enjoy the show!


Friday, March 11 ~ “The Great Gatsby” (1974)
RSVP on Facebook today! (and help get the word out to others)

Friday, April 8 ~ “North by Northwest” (1959)
RSVP on Facebook today! (and help get the word out to others)

Time: 7:30pm

Where: 17 Audrey Avenue, downtown Oyster Bay

Fee: $5 suggested donation /per person at the door

Movies Return to Downtown Oyster Bay, The Great Gatsby, 3/11, 7:30pm

Movie goers came out in droves to see the screening of the classic film "Sabrina" on Friday, February 11. This was not just any ordinary theater. The offices of the Oyster Bay Main Street Association at 17 Audrey Avenue were transformed into a theater. It was the first movie screening in Oyster Bay since at least the 1970s when the Lyric Theater, also on Audrey Avenue, was closed.


Photo from the first Oyster Flix screening

Aromatic accents from the old fashioned popcorn maker on loan from Gooseberry Grove helped create a cozy environment for the silver screen buffs. The movie was the first in the OBMSA’s "Oyster Flix" series of classic movies filmed on or about Long Island.

The series continues on Friday, March 11th with our second movie "The Great Gatsby." A special treat is planned for that evening: Long Island resident Eve Griffin is the wife of the late Robert Griffon. He was the prop master for many famous movies, including "The Great Gatsby"! Mrs. Griffon has graciously offered to present a little talk before the movie is shown on the 11th. She will relate fascinating true stories about her and her husband's time in Newport with Robert Redford, Mia Farrow, and Sam Waterston, while "The Great Gatsby" was being filmed. She will even display actual props from the movie, that viewers can then have fun looking for while they watch the film!

At the conclusion of the movie, there will again be a "movie buff" speaker to spark discussion about the film. The evening is called for 7:30 p.m., but come earlier to meet your fellow movie lovers, have a drink with your popcorn, and get a good seat!

RSVP for "The Great Gatsby" on Facebook today (and see who else is coming)!

The third movie in the Oyster Flix series will be Friday, April 8th, when "North by Northwest" will be shown.

This film series is one of the initiatives of OBMSA’s Promotion Committee. The goal of this committee is to “create and support activities and events to generate excitement, local pride, and commerce in the historic downtown. Other Promotion initiatives include the "Oyster Bay Farmers’ Market" and "Oyster Bay Sundown" providing free outdoor concerts every First Thursday from June to September.

The Oyster Bay Main Street Association is dedicated to enhancing and promoting an attractive and thriving downtown, while maintaining its historic integrity. OBMSA is a 501 (c) 3 Non-Profit using the national Main Street Approach® to downtown revitalization. For more information or to become a member please visit www.oysterbaymainstreet.org or call (516) 922-6982.

“OYSTER FLIX” Celebrates the Return of Movies to Downtown Oyster Bay, Feb. 11, 7:30pm

Exciting New Series to Premiere February 11

Anybody remember the old Lyric Movie Theater on Audrey Avenue?



It’s been about 30 years since downtown Oyster Bay had a movie theater, but starting in February we’ll have a modified version of a theater—also on Audrey Avenue—for Long Island film lovers to enjoy! Come gather, eat, drink, watch and discuss!

Long Island has long been a destination for film crews. You're sitting in a movie theater--and wait a minute--that mansion or that stretch of beach looks very familiar--it's likely a Long Island landmark magically transformed into a fictitious estate or town by a Hollywood filmmaker. After all, Long Island is a very photogenic place! The list of movies about Long Island, filmed on Long Island, starring someone on Long Island, or by someone on Long Island, is incredibly comprehensive.

LI has had a resurgence as a film backdrop in recent years. But this is only the latest chapter in almost a century of local moviemaking. As far back as the 1920's, in the era of silent movies and early talkies, about a hundred films had LI locations. Filmmakers then left LI for several decades of Hollywood life, but returned in the 1950's when they portrayed the Island as a place of leisure and glamour. And did you know that a man named Fred Waller invented CINERAMA (the real beginning of commercial widescreen motion pictures) in 1952 right here in Oyster Bay?
To celebrate this vibrant history, The Oyster Bay Main Street Association is proud to offer a new film series called “OYSTER FLIX,” with an initial run of three classic movies filmed in part on the north shore of Long Island.

OYSTER FLIX Schedule:

Dates and Schedule: The Second Friday of each month:

Friday, February 11th ~ “Sabrina” (1954, the original film)
RSVP on Facebook today! (and help get the word out to others)

Friday, March 11 ~ “The Great Gatsby” (1974)
RSVP on Facebook today! (and help get the word out to others)

Friday, April 8 ~ “North by Northwest” (1959)
RSVP on Facebook today! (and help get the word out to others)


Time: 7:30pm

Where: 17 Audrey Avenue, downtown Oyster Bay

Fee: $5 suggested donation /per person at the door

What to bring: ‘Movie snax’ will be available but please bring your own beverages


Films will be immediately followed by a group discussion hosted by a speaker.