Mam'k Native Matt Dillon Returns for Picture House Gala

& To Be Honored: Larchmont's Leslie Holleran & Bedford's Lasse Hallstrom

by Rachel Breinin

(December 8, 2005) He was discovered by a talent scout as he was walking the halls of Mamaroneck’s Hommocks School. His breakthrough performance came shortly afterwards with “The Outsiders.” Since then, Matt Dillon has gone on to achieve fame and critical acclaim with his performances in such movies as “Drugstore Cowboy,” “Crash,” and “There’s Something About Mary.”

And now Matt Dillon will be coming back to the Mamaroneck area to receive the first Harold Lloyd Award for Excellence in Performance at The Picture House Regional FIlm Center Gala on January 21. The award is named in honor of Harold Lloyd, an outstanding turn-of-the-century comedic actor, who did considerable film work in Westchester.

Hommocks alumnus Matt Dillon will be honored at the January 21 gala.

Mr. Dillon will be honored along with two other Westchesterites, director Lasse Hallstrom of Bedford and producer Leslie Holleran of Larchmont. Mr. Hallstrom and Ms. Holleran, who both received Oscar nominations for their work on the film “Chocolat,” will receive the Harold Lloyd Award for Excellence in Creation. The director/producer team has worked on a number of projects, including “The Cider House Rules” and the soon-to-be-released “Casanova.”

The awards ceremony will take place at The Picture House's first annual gala on Saturday, January 21, 2006 at Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle, NY. The non-profit organization was formed to save the historic 1921 Pelham Picture House from demolition and to convert it into a three-screen state-of-the-art regional film center that will show independent films, documentaries, world cinema, film series, Hollywood classics, family matinees and special features targeted to teens and senior audiences. The group recently purchased the Pelham Picture House and is in the process of raising money for the renovation and expansion of the movie theater.

“I’m from Westchester and my grandfather was born in Pelham, so I have roots there,” said Mr. Dillon. “It’s exciting to see people restoring historic buildings rather than tearing them down and bringing interesting independent-minded films to the community.”

“For film buffs in the area, the Picture House is a welcome addition,” said Ms. Holleran. “I am particularly excited that my local colleagues will have the opportunity to share their work with the community.”

“The gala will be an opportunity for Westchester residents who love film to not only honor one of their own, but also to celebrate all the fun and glamour of the movie industry,” said Ann Sorice, President of the Picture House. “In addition to our honorary co-chairs Dana Reeve and Jane Alexander, our regional co-chairs represent villages and towns throughout Southern Westchester. They have all come together because they recognize the importance of having a facility in our area that will show outstanding films and provide educational programming for students and teachers in the local schools and life-long learners.”

The regional co-chairs for the evening are Lucy Anda of Rye, Carol Brandenburg of Bronxville, Carolyn Cassidy and Ellen Tuttle of Pelham, Patty Horing and Ellen Zuckert of Larchmont and Theresa Kump Leghorn, Mary Ann Provenzano and Gary Reichert of New Rochelle.

For further information about the event or to buy tickets, please contact 914-235-1490 ext.16 or 914-834-2868.

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