Rees Theatre
Plymouth , IN
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

The Rees Theatre in Plymouth, IN was right downtown on old US 31 and is still operating. The theatre opened in 1939 and was restored in the 1990's. More information can be found at Cinematreasures.org. Many thanks to Alan Culley for info. 11-07

After serving as a neighborhood movie theater for nearly 70 years, the Rees closed in 2009 and its future looked uncertain. Fortunately, the community rallied behind the theater, raising millions of dollars to restore the building and give it a new purpose.

Today, the beautifully restored REES is once again full of life, hosting concerts, movies, plays, and community events. Best of all, the classic neon marquee still lights up downtown, continuing a tradition that began more than 80 years ago.

UPDATE: The REES remains open as a community performing arts venue, and its historic marquee continues to shine in downtown Plymouth. 07-26

Biograph Theatre
Chicago, IL
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

Here's the neon marquee for the Biograph Theatre in Chicago, IL. The Biograph is the place where John Dillinger went down in a hail of FBI bullets in the 30's. The Biograph was built in 1914 and was designated a Chicago Landmark in 2001. Many thanks to Alan Culley for info. 11-07

Most people know the Biograph as the theater where John Dillinger saw his last movie. On July 22, 1934, he walked out after watching Manhattan Melodrama and was gunned down by FBI agents waiting just outside beneath the marquee. It's one of those places where history happened right on the sidewalk.

The theater later became a live performance venue and is known as the Victory Gardens Theatre. Although the original marquee had to be replaced in 2006, the replica looks just like the original and keeps this Chicago landmark glowing for another generation.

UPDATE: The Biograph Theatre continues operating as a live theater and remains one of Chicago's best-known historic landmarks. The replica marquee still lights up Lincoln Avenue, making it just as much of a roadside attraction today as it was decades ago. 07-26

Eagles Theatre
Wabash, IN
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

Here's the Eagles Theatre in Wabash, IN. The vertical sign and classic marquee make this one hard to miss while driving through downtown. The theater first opened in 1906 and has been entertaining people ever since. 11-07

Originally a vaudeville house, the Eagles made the transition to movies and is one of those old theaters that has managed to survive while so many others disappeared. It's great to see a place like this still lighting up the street after more than a century.

UPDATE: The Eagles Theatre has been restored and remains open as a performing arts center with movies, concerts, and live entertainment. It's still one of the highlights of downtown Wabash and well worth stopping to see. 07-26

State Theatre (Closed)
Anderson, IN
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

Standing vacant in downtown Anderson, the State Theatre is one of those old movie palaces that still catches your eye. The tall vertical sign survives above the street, offering a reminder of better days for this once-grand neighborhood theater. 11-07

The State Theatre opened in 1930 during the golden age of movie houses and welcomed generations of moviegoers through its doors. After years of water damage and deterioration, the theater closed in 2008 and has remained empty ever since.

UPDATE: The State Theatre is now owned by the City of Anderson and remains vacant. Although the historic sign still stands, the building has been placed on Indiana Landmarks' list of the state's most endangered historic places as preservationists continue searching for a way to save it. 07-26

Paramount Theatre
Anderson, IN
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

The Paramount Theatre in Anderson, In opened on August 20, 1929 is is one of the few atmospheric theatres left in the states. After years of neglect, the Paramount Heritage Foundation saved the theatre and the restored building opened in 1995. Today, the Paramount is home to the Anderson Symphony Orchestra. More info can be found at the Paramount Theatre Centre website. 11-07

The Paramount opened in 1929 and was designed to make moviegoers feel like they were sitting outdoors beneath a star-filled sky. After years of neglect, local preservationists stepped in to save the theater from demolition, giving this beautiful landmark a second chance.

UPDATE: The Paramount Theatre continues to host concerts, classic movies, comedians, and other live events while remaining one of Anderson's premier entertainment venues. Its restored neon sign still lights up downtown, proving that some movie palaces really can have a happy ending. 07-26