Tom France Presents: An October fright fest

By Marilyn Rosenthal
MILFORD — Young Tom France is passionate about film and wants to revitalize the regular showing of movies at the Milford Theatre.
So this 26-year-old local entrepreneur created Tom France Presents — his very own venue for showing independent films, as well as horror movies for October, holiday films, and other genres.
France's October Fright Fest started with “The Shining” (staring Jack Nicholson) last week. This week it’s “Friday, the 13th,” and as it happens it will be shown on Friday the 13th (Oct. 13, at 8 p.m.). Finally, “Halloween” will be shown on Friday, Oct. 27, and Saturday, Oct. 28, at 8 p.m.
France started his venture during the summer, when he presented "Jaws," "The Godfather," and "The Blues Brothers." He wanted to interest young people in Milford who may never had the opportunity to see some of the older films. He wants them to know what it’s like to watch these movies on a big screen in a theater.
France is a Milford native. His family owns Golden Gifts Jewelry on Broad Street, where his dad, also Tom France, is a master jeweler. Young Tom works at the store and his mom helps out, too. But his real passion is film.
France stays close to his audience. He has a suggestion box in the lobby and responds to what his audience tells him.
"I want to feel it out,” he said. “We might have some cult movies like 'Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark,' 'Back to the Future,' 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off,' and maybe old Hitchcock and old westerns."
He may even have some holiday movies, especially around Christmas. France wants to expand as this concept grows, to give people of like minds a theater that caters to their interests.
Jerry Beaver, owner of the Milford Theatre, has been a guiding force in helping France deal with film distributors, licensing, and market.
"I admire Tom France's interest and love of great movies — whether they be classic, independents or even art house films,” he said. “Presenting them at the Milford Theatre adds an element of enhancement and entertainment for our community. It's magic being in an audience of moviegoers sharing the experience. I encourage everyone to attend."