I enjoyed the column by Emma Hoglunds East Otter Tail history column, March 9 Enterprise about the Comet Theater. I fully agree that the theater is a major jewel in the city of Perham that should be maintained as is. Today's multi-mega-cineplexes don't have the charm, and certainly not the history, of the Comet Theater. These corporate-owned theaters allow someone to see any movie people wish but they certainly don't offer the experience of Perham's theater.
One of my fondest childhood memories was the Christmas showings where we would see some matinee feature and then be led out the back where we would get a bag of candy and see Santa Claus. I saw the beach movies of the 1960's and the other blockbusters of the day. I would buy a bag of red Twizzlers licorice to last me through the movie.
Several years ago I saw that the theater was letting out its patrons after a show. I was walking downtown with my wife and I wanted to show her a memory from my youth. The Wasche's were gracious enough to let us into the theater. It was great being brought back to my childhood as I proudly showed my wife a piece of my personal history.
I now live in San Diego, a major city with mega-multi-impersonal-expensive-corporate-megaplexes. I still see the movies that interest me although ticket prices are nine dollars and popcorn is eight dollars.
Perham's theater may not have all of the offerings of a larger city but the larger cities cannot match the experience that people can get in Perham. Young people may not appreciate Perham's small theater but give it time and they will also come to see the charm of the jewel of Perham
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Norm Olson
(now in San Diego but always from Perham)
