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Hollywood comes to East Rockaway!

Screening of high school alumnus Don Murray’s documentary set for October 20

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When Don Murray was asked in July about his memories of East Rockaway High School’s Rock Rivalry, the 80-year-old interclass competition the high school, the film star replied, “That’s where it all began….”

Growing up in the water-centered Bay Park area of East Rockaway, Murray graduated from ERHS with the Class of 1946. His yearbook write-up indicated he participated in Rock Rivalry for all four years, as well as starring in his senior play. A mere ten years later, in 1956, he starred in his breakout role opposite Marilyn Monroe in “Bus Stop.”

Now 87, Murray’s life and career are featured in a new documentary, “Don Murray: Unsung Hero.” He and the director of the documentary, Don Malcolm, agreed to a special preview screening of the film in the Harry Bunting Auditorium at East Rockaway High School at 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 20. If he is up to traveling from the West Coast to Long Island Murray will be physically present for a Q & A session after the screening to answer questions and hear comments from audience members. Should he be unable to travel, he will conduct the session electronically via a Skype hook up, connecting him visually in California with the audience in East Rockaway.

Two East Rockaway organizations, the East Rockaway Education Foundation and the East Rockaway High School Alumni Association, will coordinate the event, with EREF collecting the funds and the ERHSAA staffing the event. Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis with seats assigned from in front of the stage to the back of the auditorium, with balcony seats only being used when and if the first floor is sold out. Tickets can be ordered by mail for a $10 donation per ticket by check made payable to the E.R. Education Foundation and mailed to: E.R.E.F., Post Office Box 230, East Rockaway, NY 11518.

In addition, organizational and individual sponsors are being sought at $100 per sponsor to help cover Event expenses and are also payable by check and mailed to E.R.E.F.

Income, less expenses, will be split between EREF and the ERHSAA and will be used to help fund graduation awards given by both organizations in June.