Of all the structures in America built specifically as movie theatres between 1894 and 1915 when our Island Theater opened as the Eagle, only about four others remain, Oak Bluffs’ Island being the fifth oldest.

Unlike the others, one of which has achieved landmark status and probably all of which have been renovated and use digital technology, the Island Theatre remains in flux. In a letter to the Gazette of March 21, 2014 about some of the Island’s theatres Vineyard Haven’s Fred McLennan wrote, “The Island Theatre was playing Forrest Gump to a sold out crowd of 400 waiting to get in. It was $5 a ticket. Tourists flocked to these old movie houses. Those back home had been made into parking lots decades ago. Back then Hollywood wouldn’t go to bed at night until it had the Island Theatre’s grosses, the largest movie house in southern Massachusetts. The theatres on the Island were second in soft drink sales and would pop over four tons of raw corn every summer. One night actress Sally Field would approach the Island Theatre’s ticket office with her kids to see Forrest Gump, a film where she played Forrest’s mother. She couldn’t get in. It was sold out.”

This is, after all, Martha’s Vineyard so that’s probably not the only such story involving celebrities and our theatres. About a year ago the selectmen had bylaws drafted that addressed less-than-cared-for buildings downtown. That hasn’t gotten anywhere yet, but sparked enough attention to create the impetus for the Downtown Streetscape Master Plan and committee and commendably, substantial civic pride. Several Circuit avenue area businesses have been renovated, one being Beetlebung at the other end of the avenue. Prior to leaving, the former town building inspector condemned the Island Theatre and cited similar issues from a lawsuit in 1925, 10 years after it was built. We didn’t have the same building codes then as today, but it’s not a leap to believe there may be some merit in the pending condemnation — that may, in fact, cause the building to be demolished as soon as its 100th birthday next year.

There seem to be several permutations and combinations and questions to be answered. Can the building be repaired to meet codes? Would the present owner be willing to effect the cure, at some expense repairing a building not in use? Will town leaders be satisfied with even a repaired structure whose highest and best use is its only use — a movie theatre — that hasn’t operated since August 2012? With digital technology required by the motion picture industry, would the owner make the additional $75-$100,000 investment for the changeover? The owner’s options do not seem attractive; for example, can a condemned building be sold — if this is even a consideration while its property across the street no longer functions as a theatre?

Town leaders’ options do not seem palatable either. Enact new bylaws the owner is certain to litigate? Tear down 100 years of memories, a purveyor of popcorn? Pave paradise, put in a parking lot? Why not develop a private-public partnership? The Priest Theatre (built in 1910 as a theatre but not a movie theatre) in High Springs, Fla., (population 5,535) used a Kickstarter campaign to renovate and go digital. The Empress Theatre in Vallejo, Calif., (built in 1911) enjoys landmark status. Estes Park Colorado’s (population 6,086) Park Theatre, built in 1913 is digital. The Ruby Theatre (built in 1914) in Chelan, Wash., (population 3,959) has digital equipment and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. Oak Bluffs has a population of 4,527 people and an aging movie theatre, perhaps the fifth oldest in America. Three of the other four are on the National Historic Register; like our Flying Horses, Camp Ground, Tabernacle and Union Chapel. It might be an idea for town leaders and committees to converse with the owner and see where there may be areas of agreement on what ultimately happens to the Island Theatre before its 100th birthday next year.

Forrest Gump had a memorable line: “My momma always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” There’s a box at the entrance to Circuit avenue and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to put candy — and popcorn — back in it. A 100th birthday gift to us all. But you never know . . .

Keep your foot on a rock.

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