Island Monday Movie Night Tradition A Labor of Love
By Bernie Nguyen

The Haunted Theatre has always been shrouded in darkness, but in the past, the darkness was that of a movie theater. Until 1972, The Haunted Theatre was the Orpheum, the Island's only movie theater, which played movies every night during the summer. Sometime later, Jack Loeks, who owned Loeks Theaters in lower Michigan and maintained a summer home on the Island, began bringing first-run films to Mackinac on Monday nights. That tradition continues with Craig and Paula Starkweather, who have kept Monday night movies alive with first-run features that play every Monday evening during the summer at the Mission Point Resort Theater.

Movies are shown at 9 p.m. and will begin June 5 with "R.V.," starring Robin Williams.

Mr. Starkweather took over the service of providing the films about six years ago, when Mr. Loeks was unable to continue because of failing health. He passed away about two years ago.

"It was truly a labor of love for him," Mr. Starkweather said of Mr. Loeks' service. "We're just honored to be able to continue it."

The Starkweathers now obtain their films through Clark Theatre Service in Port Huron and senior projectionist Rick Linn has trained three others in the art of running the projectors.

The films that are shown are always first-run, Mr. Starkweather emphasized, which means that they are the same films which are showing in theaters across the country. He doesn't show any films rated R so as to maintain a family atmosphere for younger guests.

Mr. Starkweather recalled that Monday night movies have their own place in Mackinac Island lore, especially when Christopher Reeve, who was on the Island filming "Somewhere in Time," recited lines to a "Superman" movie after the sound failed one night.

"It's basically a service for people on the Island," Mr. Starkweather said of Monday Night Movies, adding that profits are small. "One year, the best we ever made was $1,000," he laughed. "It's a labor of love."

As for audiences, the films Mr. Starkweather provides have not lacked for eager viewers.

"We like to say we draw people from the East Coast and the West Coast," Mr. Starkweather joked, explaining that viewers include not only employees and residents of the Island but tourists and visitors from around the country.

Movie tickets are $6 for adults, $3 for children.