by Diana Driscoll
Leslye Abbey of Bellmore is not new to the Long Island International Film Expo scene. Producer, director and videographer of documentaries such as “Bayou Landfall” – which won her a First Place Humanatiarian Award in 2006 – and “Angels and Basin,” she has her newest documentary, focusing on local residents, showing at this year’s expo, at the Bellmore Movies on Pettit Avenue.
“Little Shop of Wonders” is a 17-minute documentary focusing on Rosalyn Anker and Murray “Mark” Morgan, longtime Bellmore retailers extraordinaire, playing at the expo on July 16, at 2 p.m.
Once stage performers and radio talk show hosts, Rosalyn and Mark decided to follow their passion for gemstones and open Gemini Gems in Bellmore. As they gained more recognition and artifacts, the pair expanded the company to nine rooms, which became the Long Island Museum of Natural History.
Leslye Abbey
People came from all over to view the collections and seek advice about gemstones and healing. Eventually, because of an overflow of artifacts and customers, Rosalyn and Mark moved to a storefront on Bedford Avenue. But after 48 years in business, The Long Island Rock and Lapidary Shop closed in 2008.
From the moment the movie starts you’re pulled in by the fabulous music, which synchronizes with the film footage perfectly. The creative lyrics and upbeat tempo make you smile and add to the movie’s charm.
As the film progresses, it doesn’t just touch upon the history of the store but shows how much the store and the owners meant to the people in town.
Ms. Abbey’s interviews with customers allow you to see how much respect and love the community had for Mark and Rosalyn. They not only shared their knowledge of gemstones and artifacts, but they shaped the lives of many people.
The viewer gets a sense of who Rosalyn and Mark are, their personalities and how much they did to better the community. They took in animals in need and became president and executive director of Animals in Distress; they entertained adults and kids alike through their magic shows, photography and radio shows; and they brought joy to people who have a passion for gemstones and artifacts.
In an interview with the filmmaker, Ms. Abbey explained that she has known Mark and Rosalyn since 1980 and has always wanted to make a film about them. So, when the store was closing after 48 years of business, Ms. Abbey knew she needed to document its service to the community because the world is full of Wal Marts and chain stores. “It was like the end of an era. …You don’t have the neighborhood stores anymore,” she said.
So why see this film? Because in 17 minutes you learn the story of two remarkable people from the area who, after 48 years, touched the lives of many people just through following their passion.
It’s a story that makes you want to reconnect with the community and bring back all the “mom and pop shops” that used to decorate the town streets. “They made everybody into a friend,” said Ms. Abbey, and you understand exactly what she means after you view the film.
“Little Shop of Wonders” is a perfect mix of infotainment. You learn and enjoy, and what could be better than that.
Watch the “Little Shop of Wonders” trailer on YouTube and visit Snowflake Productions’ website at www.snowflakevideo.com for information on “Little Shop of Wonders” and more of Ms. Abbey’s films.
For information on this year’s Long Island International Film Expo at the Bellmore Movies visit www.liifilmexpo.org.