‘When Hollywood Came to High Falls: The Filming of “Splendor in the Grass”’

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The High Falls Conservancy is presenting a free admission matinee showing of the documentary film “When Hollywood Came to High Falls: The Filming of ‘Splendor in the Grass’” at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 19, at the High Falls Firehouse, 333 Firehouse Road, High Falls. The Conservancy has been working on this short documentary for over a year, with documentary filmmaker Megan Sperry, assistant professor of digital media production at SUNY New Paltz. Over the course of this past year, Sperry has interviewed 14 High Fallonians who graciously shared their recollections of what happened, and how things were, back in 1961 when Hollywood producers, cameramen, boom operators, stage hands, and of course the stars, Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty, descended on the small hamlet. The result is a collection of memories, interspersed with short scenes from the completed movie that make for an enjoyable and educational snapshot of those days. In addition to the film, David Gonzalez, High Falls noted storyteller, will read portions of a poem written by William Wordsworth, that includes the phrase “splendor in the grass,” thought to be the inspiration to the movie’s title. (In one movie scene, Natalie Wood reads the poem in her high school English class.) After the presentation, there will be time for sharing stories and adding comments to the old lore of 1960s High Falls, and how this town was turned upside down for a few days back then. There will be popcorn and movie candies for all with the showing of the documentary, for an afternoon of reflection and pure fun. Admission is free, but the Conservancy will be happy to receive a can of food for donation to the food pantry, as part of their “we can” project. For more information, call 845-377-1068 or visit highfallsconservancy.org.