Small movie theaters across the nation may begin to fade away just like the stars of the silver screen.
Many theaters are being forced to make the ultimate decision of switching to digital equipment from 35 millimeter film.
Movie studios have said they will begin to phase out the older equipment by the end of 2013.
The owners of the Nile Theater in Mitchell, and the Wyoming Theater in Torrington made the switch this Spring.
The newer equipment runs basically on its own and requires a lot less work than splicing reels together.
But it comes with a cost.
The theaters paid $70,000 per screen to make the switch.
Theater Co-owner Barb Schmer says she keeps the Nile and Wyoming Theater running as a service to the community.
"So the choice was either do it or close your doors. And we weren't quite ready to close our doors."
Schmer says the switch would have been more costly if the theaters hadn't switched to digital sound several years ago.
