The Strand Theatre. Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard. c. 1997. By Paul Goldfinger ©    (reposted from 2014 on Blogfinger–and updated.) Tri-X Collection.

By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger

We recently ran a post regarding Ocean Grove’s  historic North End  Strand movie house which no longer exists.

Some years ago we visited Oak Bluffs in Martha’s Vineyard where the Strand theater there, a historic site, was still functioning. Oak Bluffs is where a camp meeting ground still exists on that island.  Judging from the Bruce Willis film, the photo is from 1997.

The Strand Theater in Oak Bluffs  was built in the 1920’s and closed around 2010. After that it became a bicycle rental shop.

But in 2015, the Martha’s Vineyard Theater Foundation raised money to reopen the Strand for movies. It closed for awhile due to COVID, but it has recently reopened, and its many fans are thrilled.

Movies can seem so real and important, so the Martha’s Vineyard community made sure that their cinema was brought back to life.  Back when, we told our kids, “It’s only a movie.”

But the magic of movies draws you in and it is more than “only.”

Try to stay disengaged if you see “Captain Phillips” with Tom Hanks.

Seen any good movies lately ?  Tell us if you have, even if streaming.   Comment below.

And, do sad movies make you cry?  Sue Thompson says, “Yes.”      See below.

MERLE HAGGARD:

SUE THOMPSON: