Billy Crystal Holds Movie Screening for Hometown Sandy Victims

Story by Tara Conry.

Billy Crystal was in Lynbrook Monday night and brought comic relief to Superstorm Sandy victims from his hometown of Long Beach.

The star met with nearly 2,000 Long Beach residents and first responders at the United Artists Lynbrook Theatre 6, and then treated them to private screenings of his soon-to-be released family comedy, "Parental Guidance."

The film's studio, 20th Century Fox, bused many of the residents from Long Beach Cinemas on East Park Avenue, which has remained closed since the storm, to the Lynbrook theatre on Merrick Road, and provided them with complimentary popcorn and refreshments. The seven screenings were staged 15 minutes apart so that Crystal could greet audiences at each one.

"What I wanted to do tonight was to just give you a smile, make you feel good during this holiday season and I'm telling you that there are a lot of other things I'm going to be doing for Long Beach as the year unfolds,” Crystal told the audience, who responded with cheers and applause. “This is just the beginning.”

He then joked: "How many of you went to prom with me?"

Lynbrook Village Trustee Hilary Becker told Patch she thought Crystal’s speech was great.  "He said Long Beach is his backyard, and his heart still remains in Long Beach,” she said. “… He's really reaching out to try to help these people affected by the storm."

Long Beach City Manager Jack Schnirman and Lynbrook's Deputy Mayor Alan Beach were in attendance.

Crystal, who still has family members who live in Long Beach, was met with cheers and standing ovations from the crowds. They said the screenings provided a much-needed break from their post-Sandy recovery efforts.

"Thanks to Billy Crystal and company," Long Beach resident Carol Cerabino Kenney wrote on Long Beach Patch's Facebook page. "I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and appreciated the gesture."

Crystal told Long Beach residents that he plans to do more events and fundraisers to assist Sandy victims in the near future. He will also host Wednesday's 12-12-12 Sandy benefit concert at Madison Square Garden.

"Parental Guidance," which also stars Bette Midler and Marisa Tomei, officially opens Dec. 25.