Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

My wife and I and many others were at the 4 p.m. showing of The Butler at the Capawock in Vineyard Haven. A few minutes into the opening of the film, the projector crashed to the floor. Yelps ran through the audience. Out of the darkness a voice rang: “Sorry, something happened and we hope to fix it shortly.” This is the third time this year we have experienced an interrupted screening at the decrepit Capawock. All of their equipment predates the dinosaurs. Film as we know it will officially disappear by the end of this year. All cinemas intending to stay in business by that time will have to convert to a digital operation. That’s the format for today. It costs in the neighborhood of $75,000. If Mr. Hall wants to stay in business — and from the looks of the oblivion status of his two theatres in Oak Bluffs, he may not — he will have to retrofit his theaters ASAP. Right now his idea of a movie theatre resembles a death wish. We have had it with the Capawock, and it apparently has had it with us. No more interrupted movies! No more kamikaze projectors! We will be going to the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center and the Edgartown Cinemas.

Arnie Reisman, Vineyard Haven