Taking a trip down memory lane works for this video/pictorial of early America. It’s a movie/documentary called We Met at Grossinger’s and witnesses the establishment of one of our proud pioneers. The film not only shows you how it was like to be at one of the most famous destinations in America, but how it changed early America in the early 1900’s.
Not a travel guide or an advertising offer, the story takes you on a journey that inspires, tugs at the heartstrings and shows how one inspirational woman went up against all odds to make her vacation wonderland a success.
In the early 20th century Jennie Grossinger, a Jewish Immigrant that settled in New York City, came up with a unique idea. The city was a hot sweaty place to live in the early years and every summer without air-conditioning made it unbearable. Not more than a hundred miles north were the Catskills, a mountainous mecca of wooded and waterway beauty. There Jennie built a farm home and then went on to build a hotel she named Grossinger’s Catskill Resort. It was a Jewish American hotel with immaculate grounds, swimming pool and restaurant. But the challenges were many as during that period the popularity of the ethnic group was subpar. Working to overcome it all, the movie shows scenes of both New York City and her challenging quest in the Catskills.
The presentation of the film with archive footage, family saved photos and home motion pictures feature friends, actors and family that grew up during the era. Nicely directed and assembled by Director Paula Eiselt, she delivers comments by Judy Gold and Joel Gray who had close ties to the resort and family. Archived scenes of early 1900’s New York, the catastrophe in WWII and a short delve in the despicable racist activism is justly placed.
We Met at Grossinger’s is historical and eye-opening with Jewish historical importance. The film has not been rated, but does contain disturbing photos of WWII atrocities.
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Judy Gold, Josh Gondelman, Joel Grey, Jackie Hoffman
Directed by: Paula Eiselt
Genre: Documentary
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, contains photos of WWII atrocities
Running Time: 1 hr 44 minutes
Opening Date: March 16, 2026
Released in: Theaters. Now showing at Movies of Delray, Fl, and Movies of Lake Worth, Fl
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
