Welcome to Kutsher's: The Last Catskills Resort

From a film perspective, I found this documentary to be interesting, but not great, and with inaccuracies and glossed over realities. Kutchers is not the last resort in the Catskills. And it was neither the biggest, nor the most acclaimed. The Concord, Grossingers, The Browns and many, many others existed and some still exist. In this documentary, Kutchers represents a very typical resort in the area, nothing unique.

In the late 80s as a teen, I had the opportunity to work a couple summers waiting tables at a neighboring hotel called The Concord, which was far larger than Kutchers. During this period, I learned about this history of these all-inclusive kosher resorts (my family is not Jewish). Let me tell you, for many employees, waiting tables was pure hell, 16-18 hour days and sleeping in filthy hotel owned cabins either on Site or off site (I stayed in both). But that's another story. We were paid a flat rate of something ridiculous like $2.10/hour based on an 8 hour day - VERY sketchy - and the best waiters (not me) earned up to $800 a week in cash tips back then. But this was only during the peak season when it was jam-packed with NYC and Long Island families escaping summer city life. Off season was almost empty.

I can't speak to the wait staff at Kutchers (my guess is their experience was similar to mine), and it definitely did NOT feel like family among the staff, who were primarily undocumented and had few job opportunities. Waiting tables was grueling and generated unhealthy forms of release among the staff. I got the job based on the recommendation of my (Jewish) high school guidance counselor since I wanted hotel experience to go study hotel Mgmt in college. I realized that was not an industry I wanted to join,.

For the most part, all of these resorts offered the same experience, and that was a large part of the decline of this kosher resort industry in the Catskill Mountains. Yes, it was like Dirty Dancing, but without the glamor and dancing. So I guess it was just the Dirty part!

This film did a good job (not great) talking about the influence of the borcht belt resorts on the evolution of the entertainment world for many decades. Joan Rivers and Judy Garland were among the regulars back in their respective day. Patti LaBelle performed one weekend when I worked. An entire movie could be devoted to the entertainment aspect topic alone.

The history of kosher resorts in the Catskill Mountains is lengthy and complex. To see the inevitable decline of these resorts is sad. I do like the fact this filmmaker provided updates over a multi-year timeline. Watching Kutchers decline was like watching the slow death of a loved one. Although my personal experience waiting tables was not a happy one, I did learn a lot and it provided me with some much needed insight about life. Heck it provided me with enough insight to write a review 30 years later!

Me, irish born in catskill ny treated attackd at birth like the biggest polititician jew nov 1966. Vietnam war and a few entertainers in the mountains singing and dancing joining in on rapes and tortures 240 mansion street. 1966 67 and years after. Actors bringing their kids over and of coarse the big little jew with the lie of having a problem which was nwo treason criminals and their double life espionage behaviors of me with rapes, guns, starvation and control. Then worry about hollywood or broadway they did that too. More actors came. 1966 to today the area is odd with aftermath stories in the news crimes neo smell in all. Unfairness of attacks and then continuing the lies and being state police officers and then using hospitals and nursers just to continue hurting sterritt family they attacked and followed. - facts are missing and facts of writers songs and natural kids and good ideas. Cruel came and bye to normal relaxing and life good for all. The lies ignorance never bliss. Locks on doors came when these places closed.

I found this documentary to be rather ho-hum about a location that in the hey-day had so much spectacle, sparkle, vim, vip, and vigor. I was left disappointed as they could have talked about so much more yet they didn't. I am intrigued though as to what has been built on the property now...

This documentary is a coherent story broken up in chapters that focused on different aspects of this Catskill resort. Every thing was covered, including insight as to what originally made the area such a resort "hot spot". Although the largest resort compound, you knew other resorts of the area offered similar features-like 3 Kosher meals a day, entertainment, pool, golf course all included in the hotel price. Kutsher's stood out because it was so large and operated by generations of Kutshers. Several family members were interviewed, as were many guests & veteran employees.

The entire story (including it's demise) played out like our lives have-this era of family run, personal attention, unique businesses that were common have been pushed by the wayside for the big homogenized business cash grab. (BTW, if you too lament the loss of these owner operated resorts, they still can be found in the Lake George/Bolton Landing NY area).

Obviously I really enjoyed WELCOME TO KUTSHER'S, although it was rather sad knowing it's gone now.

I looked forward to the day that this terrific documentary would be released. When it was available on the iTunes store, I immediately rented it. The movie is both a history lesson and a trip down memory lane. I was fortunate to be a guest at Kutsher's, and to work at the resort for a short time. My grandparents, who worked hard to earn a living while living in a small apartment in Brooklyn, would travel by bus to Monticello to spent time as guests at Kutsher's. On a number of occasions, I was fortunate enough to be asked to join them. I can remember the excitement I felt when our taxi pulled up to the main entrance to view the large illuminated Kutsher's sign shinning brightly!

This film brings back so many great memories of the resort, and the fun that we had. The footage of the pool area, people sitting around the lake, the nightly shows, the events of each day, and the wonderful food, were just some of the great memories that were brought back to life. I could picture my grandparents taking advantage of all that Kutsher's had to offer. Since both of my grandparents have passed away, I felt a variety of emotions ranging from the shedding of a tear to smiling.

The interviews with family members and the staff at Kutsher's provided more of a behind the scenes look at the resort, which was both informative and interesting. The resort was truly a family business.

Times do change, and the film talks about the decline of a resort was no longer able to remain open. The tearing down of this historic resort was difficult to watch, however, it was a necessary part of the documentary. Thanks to the film makers for doing some thorough research, and for providing a documentary that anyone who has spent time at Kutsher's will thoroughly enjoy!