Canton Theatre's Projection Equipment Debuts Thursday

A new era for the Canton Theatre will begin on Thursday evening when a movie is shown on the premises for the first time in decades.

The theatre showed movies regularly from 1940 until the 1970s, when the property fell into disrepair. It was bought in 1994 and deeded to the City of Canton in 1997 in order for renovation work to be carried out.

Since the theatre re-opened, it has shown plays, musicals, and other stage productions, but had not returned to its roots as a movie theatre.

Last year, the . The high definition, Blu Ray capable projection equipment includes a screen that is 25 feet wide and 12 feet tall. 

The $51,000 also allowed the theatre to upgrade its concessions, including a new popcorn machine and soda fountain.

To celebrate the improvements to the theatre, a showing of "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark" will be held at 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 4.

"We're trying to get families in here, that's how it was years ago," said Theatre Manager Bob Seguin. "Families came to see movies all the time."

Seguin added that the theatre is seeking sponsors for a family-friendly free Saturday movie series, which will show movies at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. So far, Goodwin and Goodwin has sponsored the first showing, which will be Disney's "Davy Crockett" movie.