By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

Frank Howell always remained confident that the big screens at the Magic Lantern would come to life once again.

He just wasn’t sure when.

Behind a colorful face mask, the theater owner was smiling at the reality that the popular movie house made its return , Friday, July 16. With CDC recommendations in place, Howell and staff look forward to seeing the Magic Lantern reopen for business.

“It’s been a long wait, but we’re now ready. We’re glad to be back,” Howell said. “It’s a chance to bring the community together, once again. That’s been the goal of the Magic Lantern since we started.”

COVID-19 turned out the Lantern’s lights in early spring. The writing was on the wall in February, Howell said. With the pandemic starting to take a hold in the United States, major film companies started pushing big ticketed projects, like the next James Bond saga, out until fall.

“First run releases were drying up,” Howell said. “That’s still the case.”

Howell doesn’t expect to see a new release until mid-August (the first one expected is “Tenet,” an epic spy-fi action thriller film written, directed and produced by Christopher Nolan. It stars John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine and Kenneth Branagh) and even then, it could take a few additional weeks for the film to hit the Magic Lantern big screen.

“We’re a proud, small independent theater, so if a new movie is a ‘limited’ release, we’ll have to wait because it will go out to the bigger chains first,” Howell explained. There are roughly 5,000 to 6,000 screens nationwide and the Magic Lantern is ranked somewhere in the middle at 2,400th or 3,600th

So, the local movie house will be dipping into the distributor’s vault, bringing back some classics, as well as films that burst on the big screen. General Manager Cori Bowen has heard suggestions from the Facebook followers, and she has looked to secure some releases that had a limited run due to COVID-19 shutdown. Bowen pointed out that one misconception the public might have is that theaters have a wide array of movie selection possibilities, not true. Bowen is given a selection list — action, comedy, children’s, etc. — to choose from. Unlike new releases which theaters are contracted to run for a certain length of time, the older releases will be changed on a weekly basis. The lineup to date includes:

July 23-26: Irresistible, Jurassic Park

July 30, 31, Aug. 1-2: Sing, The Dark Knight

Aug. 6-9: Minions, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

While the Lantern is “always spotless,” Howell said many changes had to be put in place to meet CDC and state guidelines to reopen and keep the viewing public safe. As patrons enter the facility, rule 1 is stated at the doorway — face masks required. If patrons don’t have one, paper masks will be provided. The masks must be worn at all times, except once seated in the theater, the mask can be removed to consume beverages, popcorn and candy. The mask must be used at any point of movement.

“It will be strictly enforced,” Howell said. “No shirt. No shoes. No face mask. No entry.”

The theater will have “one-way traffic” with patrons entering the main doors, but leaving theaters through back, emergency exits. Staff will temperature check patrons and record “tracing” information.

There will be a portable sink for patrons to wash their hands. Patrons will return to their school days if they need to use bathroom facilities. To prevent too many people in one spot, patrons will need to go to the snack bar area and retrieve a key to use the bathroom facilities.

Theaters will be limited to 50 patrons. To meet 6-foot social distancing requirements, rows will be kept empty. Four-person parties can sit together, and three empty seats will be used to distance from others not part of the group. Lantern staff will be present to be sure proper distancing is maintained. Unlike past practice when theater clean-up was tackled at the end of the night, seating will be sanitized between every showing.

On upside to Magic Lantern theaters is the facility is serviced by a state-of-the-art HVAC system, which moves air, and each has high ceilings.

Howell praised the efforts of his general managers, Bowen and Debora King, in making the necessary changes to meet health guidelines while also trying to create a safe and fun experience for the community. Outdoor dining seating has been created, and proper distancing inside the Tannery Pub is in place.

The idea of building the Magic Lantern was to bring the community together, which is why it was built in the center of the downtown. Frank Howell says the mission remains the same, but with a greater health safety emphasis.

“We’re determined to make this as an enjoyable and safe experience as we possibly can,” Howell added.

The Magic Lantern is ready to get back to entertaining the community, but the big question is, “Will people come?” especially if the theater is limited to showing old or just-run movies?

By early fall, Howell will have a good handle on whether the Magic Lantern will continue to operate based on customer turnout or again go dark until the pandemic wanes and/or new releases become available.