Gem Theatre

Edward Desjardins suffered the loss of his Gem Theatre in a projection room explosion on October 6, 1938. News of the loss also reached authorities who additionally fined for failure to have an operator’s license for operating his Gem Theatre.

Not dissuaded, Desjardins built an economical Streamline Moderne style theatre on Main Street that opened February 1, 1939. The architect was Alonzo Harriman and the cost of the project was $25,000. On the theatres' fifth day of operation, the Sabbath, Desjardins was again fined - this time for showing films on Sunday. The Maine Christian Civic League applauded the move.

The Gem Theatre continued into World War II only to suffer the same fate as its predecessor. Gem #2 was destroyed by fire on January 17, 1944 as the community battled the fire in 22 degree below zero temperatures. The building was a complete loss and would be replaced by a new-build A&P Grocery Store. The town would get a new theatre named the Gull Theatre in 1945.

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