HISTORY OF THE CALLICOON THEATER
The Callicoon Theater is a "Quonset Hut" style building. The shape is a large half-cylinder and is very unusual.
After World War II movie theater construction in the US had slowed. Prefab designs were an economical choice for small, rural towns and the Quonset Hut (a design patented by the US Navy and used during the war) became a popular solution. The Callicoon Theater is currently one of only 17 operational Quonset Hut cinemas left in the United States (though, sadly, in the aftermath of the 2020 pandemic this number may have dwindled). Designed with laminated beams and post-Art Deco accouterments, the Callicoon Theater has been honored by the U.S. Congress, the New York State Assembly, the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce and is on the National Historic Registry.
The theater opened its doors on July 8th, 1948 as The Harden Theater.
It was the thirteenth location in a chain of local cinemas that once dotted the Catskills. The first film shown was "The Green Grass of Wyoming," starring Charles Coburn and Peggy Cummins (and a young Marilyn Monroe as an uncredited extra!). Local legend has it that when the "H" fell off the marquee everyone in Callicoon just referred to us as "The 'Arden" Theater" and the name simply stuck around for two decades. (There's a simpler version of this story, having to do with the Harden chain selling the location, but we're happy to go with the local Tall Tale every time).
In the early 1990s, the Callicoon Theater was refurbished. While projection, sound and air conditioning are now state-of-the-art, the structural integrity, design and visual flavor of the theater have been retained.
The original waterfall curtain remains in place, as do the 1940s post-Art Deco light fixtures and water fountain. The antique Manley popcorn machine, glass candy case, and Simplex E-7 carbon-arc lamphouse projector are all on proud display in our lobby, alongside memorabilia and movie posters from the theater's heyday. Be sure to arrive early and explore our history before your movie begins!
The lobby was renovated again in 2019 to bring back the original feel and spirit of the 1948 decor. Admission prices still reflect the past, as they are lower than other theaters in the Catskill Region. Special group rates are available.
Residents, second homeowners and visitors alike appreciate this local, cultural gem. The Callicoon Theater has been honored annually since 1996 as Best Movie Theater in the region by moviegoers just like you. Thank you!