Bantam Cinema & Arts Center
115 Bantam Lake Road,
Bantam,
CT
06750
115 Bantam Lake Road,
Bantam,
CT
06750
1 person
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The Bantam Cinema reopened for occasional showings in October and November of 2021. It appears they are ramping up to their full schedule beginning in December. Their new website is https://www.bantamcinema.org/.
The Bantam is for sale.
I wonder if the barn-like, utilitarian exterior remodeling can be undone, and the handsome brick front the Bantam sported when it opened in 1927 as the Rivoli restored?
OPENED AS RIVOLI THEATRE
According to the website, the Bantam has gone digital.
I used to own a house in Litchfield (2000-2006)and would go to the Bantam Cinema every now and then. It was often drafty and cold, the sound wasn’t the greatest, but what it lacked in technology it more than made up in charm. It seemed as if the treats at the concession stand were all homemade…old fashioned bags of popcorn, home baked cookies and that sort of thing. I havent been back in a few years but hope it never changes.
In 1970 the operator was Lightstone Theater Enterprises, Inc. President was Morty Lightstone, booker was Hank Lightstone.
The Bantam Cinema was just sold by longtime owner Lisa Hedley to Syndey Koch earlier this week. He plans to continue to run it as an art cinema.
They used to have revivals into the ‘80’s such as The Marx Brothers and Bogart. I certainly doubt that it is the only continuously operating movie house in CT…for years it was only open on Fridays and Saturdays. The theatre in Watertown deserves that title.
It was a comfortable place until they sliced in half sideways. The screens are too high.
edguinea
The Bantam Cinema became an art house in the late ‘60s — my guess would be 1968 — which, if memory serves, was also when it was renamed Cinema IV. I saw Bergman’s Hour Of The Wolf here in '68 or '69.
My family has owned a property on Bantam Lake for over 100 years (just down from Keeler’s Cove), and my very first recollection of going to see a show at the Bantam Cinema was when I was 8, maybe 9 years old.
My parents took us to see Lillies of the Field – Sidney Poitier, and even at that age, I realized that I had just witnessed a treasure.
Two of my other favorites were The Old Man and The Sea, and Dr. Zhivago, although not seen there at Bantam.
Nice place and my wife Myra and I are still planning on going there again this summer. She really enjoys it there!!!
Two photos:
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My family use to summer at near by Bantan Lake and a fond memory is riding with my best friend on one bicycle to the Bantam Theater. One evening in 1963 after the rather exhausting ride (seems I always peddled) we arrived at the Bantam to see King Kong vs Godzilla. After purchasing some of that wonerfull buttered popcorn we settled down full of anticipation (we were 12 & 13)to see this thriller. Much to our surprise and dissapiontment the movie shut off half way through and we were asked to leave! Maybe it had to do with the fact that we were the only two people in the theater!
While looking at theatres, by state, I decided to click on CT and found this one in Litchfield. The town has been in the news as it is the home of Dick and Susan Ebersol who recently lost their 13 year old son to a plane crash that involved both her older son and husband, NBC executive Dick Ebersol. May our thoughts be with them at this most difficult time.
I was here yesterday to see that remarkable Italian film “I Am Not Scared.” What an unlikely little twin cinema in an unlikely place, an art house on a country road! Also currently in program is “Supersize Me” and the Korean gem “Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter…and Spring.” It’s a likable place with comfy seats, good sound and projection, memorabilia and posters, including one of Bertolucci’s “Stealing Beauty” in the men’s room.
Bantam is a borough within the town of Litchfield.