Theater Troubles

            On Sept. 9, 1938, the Millinocket Theater opened its doors to movie goers. Some folks thought this was a risk because the town already had two operating theaters – the Opera House and the Four-Star. The opening night feature was the Warner Bros. comedy “Expensive Husbands” starring Patric Knowles, Beverly Roberts & Allyn Joslyn.

            More than the film and its stars, the big attraction was the “beautiful new 702-seat theater and every seat was filled.” The new theater was “modern and well-equipped in all respects, it was superior in comfort and attractiveness.” Admission prices were10 cents for matinees and 15 cents for evening shows. Adult admission was 25 cents for matinees and evening shows. Daily matinees were shown except for Sundays as Maine’s Blue Laws at that time did not allow them. 

            Soon after the opening, it became difficult to acquire first-run films. The companies thought that such a small town would not survive and they did not wish to hurt their relationship with the other two theaters.

            Owners, Frank “Binky” LePage and wife Ethel (cashier) were forced to make many trips to the Boston offices of the film companies to try to book first-run movies. Mostly, they showed small independent films…but they kept the theater open.

In Sept. 1939, they filed suit against some of the movie companies (in Bangor). Ethel kept the theater open during his absences.

            Between 1940 and 1943, some changes occurred that changed the motion-picture business. The Four-Star theater closed, the Blue Laws regarding the motion pictures were repealed and one of the major motion-picture companies allowed the Millinocket Theater to buy and book all features on a first-run basis. A dramatic effect was immediately felt by the Millinocket Theater box office.

            Finally, on 9/13/1943, monetary damages were awarded to the Millinocket Theater and a court referee stated that the other theaters “could not monopolize commerce in motion picture films in Millinocket.” The latest motion pictures could now be seen in “The Showplace of Millinocket.” Every type of film was available. The 40’s & 50’s were great for the theater!

            In July, 1954, the theater closed for several days for installation of a new, giant wide Cinema Scope screen & projection equipment to be installed, making the Millinocket Theater the first north of Bangor to have this. In the mid-fifties, a group of local young mothers expressed concern over some movie content being shown during Saturday matinees (the same film as Saturday night). As a result, the theater created the Children’s Special Saturday Matinee Fun Show.It was a huge success!

            By the late 50’s theaters across the country began to close due the growing popularity of TV. Film companies produced fewer films and theater doors began to close. In June 1962, the LePage’s decided to retire and the building was sold. A fire subsequently destroyed the theater building. (The site later became a bowling alley.)

*** Information from an article in The Katahdin Times, 9/8/1998 written by Glen Wheaton, former manager of the theater.