Hampton Bays residents packed the house this week for the world
premiere of the latest film to be shot on the East End. But unlike
some other big name flicks that have used the scenic Hamptons as
their backdrop, the production of "Tide and Time: The Maritime
History of Hampton Bays" didn't include a host of professional
actors, thousands of extras or a multimillion-dollar budget.
And although there were no red carpet entrances, there was a loud
buzz of excitement surrounding its premiere, as residents poured into
the Hampton Bays Secondary School auditorium last Wednesday, August
18. Eager viewers, old townies who were bound to have firsthand
knowledge of what they were about to see, and invited guests and
dignitaries filled the 550-seat auditorium as the lights dimmed.
The film's writer, director and producer, Tom Garber, along with Dr.
Maurice D. Goldman of the Hampton Bays Beautification
Association-,who was listed as executive co-producer of the
documentary-welcomed everyone to the premiere of the 45-minute film,
which highlights the way the waters surrounding the hamlet have been
inseparable from its history.
The film was a collaborative project between Mr. Garber's
production company. 'Third Wave Films, and the HBBA, which took shape
as Mr. Garber interviewed longtime Hampton Bays residents in their
hometown-a place where he too had spent many a summer as a
child."I started this looking for the Hampton Bays where my
grand. mother bought property years ago," Mr. Garber told the
audience. "In 14 months, I've come into contact with so many
residents offering old photos and stories. 'The passion the early
residents had for Hampton Bay still evident today."Dr. Goldman,
who helped put together the film, said it stood for the changes for
the better that have been dotting the hamlet for the past few years,
"We've changed the face and
the identity of the community," he said during his welcome speech.
Some of the elder audience members leaned over to share stories and
grabbed their neighbors' hands excitedly as they watched the
documentary, which is full of anecdotes from lifelong residents,
stills of aging historical photographs, and breathtaking shots of all
of the area's bodies of water.
Tom Dames said following the film that one old photo of dozens of
youngsters lined up with fishing poles at the Schinnecock Canal for
opening day flounder fishing particularly touched him. "Fifty
years ago," he said, "I was 10 years old and I sat at that
canal fishing with my father. It brought tears to my eyes."
The canal also brought back special memories for Charlotte Sinclair,
who, more than 50 years ago, was a summer resident who met her
husband Chet Sinclair, founder of Quogue Sinclair Fuel, in Hampton
Bays. "I remember going down to the canal with flashlights,"
she said, a reminiscent smile spreading across her face. "You
shined them down into the water and the crabs came up so you could
catch them.'
Many of the moviegoers had watched as the old Shinnecock lighthouse
fell, or still remember how their fathers had been among the hundreds
of Baymen clamming in Shinnecock Bay after the hurricane of 1938
flushed in shellfish from the ocean.
"I loved the show," said Eric Sutton, who has been a summer
and, later a full-time, resident of Hampton Bays since 1960. 'I love
it here. It's a great Place".
In the foyer of the auditorium, the din after the movie was
deafening, as the hamlet's residents, excited to discuss the film,
bumped into old friends they had not seen in years, or
at least days. 'It showed tremendous community spirit,' Margaret
Dames said of the film. "it captured the beauty of Hampton Bays."
Even those just visiting Hampton Bays-and those from east of the
canal, no less-were enthusiastic. Susan Colledge, a Southampton
resident, said she was surprised at the amount of unity among Hampton
Bays residents. 'I'm very impressed with how Hampton Bays has leapt
ahead of the rest of the Hamptons in a sense of pride and
community," she said. "I'm proud to drive through it."
Copies of the film were available after the movie in exchange for a
donation to the Hampton Buys Beautification Association, and Mr.
Garber hung around in front of the stage, signing copies of the movie
and chatting with many of his new fans.
Dr. Goldman said the HBBA plans to use proceeds from the donations to
"strive to keep Hampton Bays the shining star of the Hamptons."
He added that he had expected the film to bring a lot of people
together, but, "it's just always so much fun when it
happens" 'Who knew Hampton Bays could be this way?" he said.