LMC Media Gala Is A Blockbuster: $85K Raised For Community Media

MAMARONECK, NY — Mamaroneck felt like Tinsel Town for a few "golden hours" and the moment not only celebrated the mark the village has made on Hollywood, but it also helped ensure the future of important productions a little closer to home.

LMC Media hosted its Annual Gala at the historic Mamaroneck Cinemas Thursday evening. The theme of this year's fall celebration was "Hollywood on the Sound."

The program started with an LMC Media original film about the rich filmmaking history of Larchmont and Mamaroneck.

"The Sound Shore area is rich in filmmaking history," LMC Executive Director Matt Sullivan explained last month. He said that to showcase the storytelling expertise of LMC Media, they created an original film to chronicle the history of filmmaking in the community.

The film featured notable figures who got their cinematic starts in Larchmont and Mamaroneck, before going on to become household names.

Perhaps among the best known "Hollywood elite" to shape the film industry as we know it is D.W. Griffith. The so-called "father of film" transformed Flagler Drive into a studio in Mamaroneck. He first came to the village in 1919 and eventually employed "half the village," according to his contemporaries. It seems this was no exaggeration. It really did take a village. The Volunteer Fire Department sprayed water with airplane fans to simulate storms in one film.

For a time, the Mamaroneck-based productions drew the biggest names in cinema to the Sound Shore. Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford even had summer homes in Larchmont.

Some other actors from Mamaroneck include David O. Russell, Joan Rivers and the Dillon brothers.

Mamaroneck's "role" in making cinema one of America's most influential exports around the globe goes far deeper than just one studio pioneer. The evening was a celebration of the village's lasting star power.

Current and past residents of the Mamaroneck area, discussed how living here, going to Mamaroneck schools, and in some cases, working with LMC Media, influenced their successful film industry careers today.

You can watch the film here.

The evening's honoree, Jeff Meighan, was then presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. A lifelong resident of Westchester County, Meighan spent most of his life on the Sound Shore. He was celebrated for his leadership in the Sound Shore community and for his philanthropic work, board service and volunteer roles that highlight a lifetime commitment to community. Meighan was a co-founder of the Washingtonville Housing Alliance and has held leadership roles in the local Rotary, Bar Association and Mamaroneck Public Library. He has been on the Board of LMC Media for eight years and has served as president since 2015.

You can watch the Awards Ceremony here.

The timing of the Gala allowed for an opportune partnership with the newly re-opened, historic Mamaroneck Cinemas to screen the premiere of the film as part of the Gala celebration, LMC officials said.

The Mamaroneck Playhouse originally opened as a single-screen balcony theater in 1925. In 2014, the theater closed and is now owned by Harvey Elgart. After extensive renovations, the theater re-opened in June of this year.

Elgart said last month that the theater was hosting the gala at no charge to honor Meighan and all the hard and important work LMC Media does for the community.

The night then wrapped up with a celebration at the Nonna Carola restaurant.

LMC Media thanked all of their donors who made Thursday night's event such a success. They gave special thanks to the LMC Media Board of Directors, the LMC Media staff and the gala committee for all their hard work in producing the memorable event.

The LMC Media Annual Gala raises funds to support its work with the residents and municipalities of Larchmont, Mamaroneck and Rye Neck. LMC Media receives most of its funding through cable franchise fees. These fees have been steadily declining due to residents’ use of alternative television and streaming services instead of traditional cable television (also known as cord-cutting). The gala raises needed funds to replace these reduced fees. Past honorees include Congresswoman Nita Lowey and local philanthropist Sunny Goldberg.

This year's gala coincided with National Community Media Day, an annual celebration of voices that brings awareness to the importance of free speech and accessible media for all individuals to have their voices heard.

It's not too late to make a tax-deductible contribution to LMC Media in honor of Community Media Day here.

About LMC Media
LMC fosters relationships and strengthens the social fabric of our community by sharing the talents, the experiences, and the creative output of friends and neighbors and by keeping the entire community informed about the work of our local governments, schools, and volunteer organizations. LMC Media was founded in 1983 as a nonprofit organization.

SEE ALSO:

• 'Hollywood On The Sound' Mamaroneck Cinemas Red Carpet Premiere
• Action! Sunny Goldberg Goes Behind The Scenes At Mamaroneck Cinemas
• LMC Gives A Sneak Peak Of Completely Refurbished Mamaroneck Cinemas
• LMC Media Names New Board President And Officers
• Abrupt Move To Exit Agreement Threatens Local TV Coverage
• NBC News Anchor To Emcee Tribute To Sunny Goldberg