Magic Lantern (theater) facts for kids

The Magic Lantern is a popular movie theater located in Bridgton, Maine, United States. The original theater building had to be torn down because of a sinkhole and poor ground conditions. But don't worry! A brand new, modern Magic Lantern theater opened its doors on February 8, 2008, bringing movies back to Bridgton.

The First Magic Lantern

The very first movie theater on this site opened way back in 1929. It was called the "New Meserve Theater" at first. Over the years, it changed names a few times, becoming "The Mayfair" and then "The Brookside." Finally, in 1977, a person named Tom Goodman bought it and named it "The Magic Lantern."

A Special Movie Premiere

The Magic Lantern became famous when it hosted the worldwide premiere of the movie The Shining. This scary movie was based on a book by the famous author Stephen King. Stephen King helped arrange for the movie to be shown first at the Magic Lantern. This special event was a fundraiser to help the local hospital. The Magic Lantern was also the first theater in Maine to get Dolby Stereo Surround sound. This technology makes the movie sound come from all around you, making the experience even better!

Why the Old Theater Closed

The original Magic Lantern closed in the late 1980s. For a short time, the town's recreation department ran it. Then, the local Howell family bought the building. Their family business, Down East, Inc., was on the ground floor, and the theater was on the second floor. They decided to reopen the theater and bring movies back to Bridgton.

In 1990, the theater added a second screen, so people had more movie choices. However, the building, known as "The Brookside Building," was getting old and had serious problems. The ground underneath it was bad, causing the floors to slope and the foundation to crack. Pipes would freeze, and the building was actually sinking! Because of these big problems, the old Magic Lantern had to be torn down. This happened on February 7, 2006. The Howell family then planned to build a new theater and a new building for their business on the same spot.

The New Magic Lantern

Construction on the new Magic Lantern officially started on March 1, 2007. Just about a year later, on February 8, 2008, the brand new theater opened!

Modern Features

The new Magic Lantern is much bigger and better. It has four screens, which means it can show more movies at once. Three of these screens even have old-fashioned balconies, which is a fun way to watch a movie! Another screen is part of a pub and café area. This space can also be used to show live events on a big screen.

The largest theater inside the Magic Lantern has a stage. This means it can be used for live performances, not just movies. For example, it has hosted comedy shows.

Themed Auditoriums

Each of the new screens is named after a past Bridgton theater. These are The Meserve, The Mayfair, and The Brookside.

• The Brookside screen has a cool nautical (ocean-themed) design.
• The Meserve screen is decorated with a 1920s theme, taking you back in time.
• The Mayfair screen has a general Victorian theme, like the original theater's lobby.

The pub area is called The Tannery. It's named after the Gibb's Tannery, which used to be located on the same land. The Tannery pub has a Medieval European theme. Even the dishes on the menu are named after the funny movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail!