On Thursday, February 1, 1940, NBC may have been in New York City making history with the first inter-city television broadcast, but that was not all the buzz in Plymouth, Indiana. No, it was opening day for the new Rees Theatre that was heralded to have the latest in technology for the cinematic screen, adorned in the trendy Art Deco style with a dominance of burgundy and cream inside and out. Luxury seats with fully padded mohair backs and spring edged cushions were waiting for up to 600 patrons that day and as a place of respite and entertainment year round, the building was completely air-conditioned. This was the jewel of cinemas in Northern Indiana and the spotlight was on downtown Plymouth with the opening of “Remember the Night” starring Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck.
It was the longtime vision of Stewart B. and Opal P. (Hoover) Rees who were former Pulaski County residents. Stewart and Opal married in 1925 at the age of 19 and moved to Plymouth with his parents that same year. It was the cinema craze that brought them to the city after they acquired the aging Gem Theatre located on East Garro Street (replaced by the former O&H Jewelers and Dr. Bauer’s office – now a parking lot). A restoration of that theater ensued. Also operating in the city was the Rialto Theater located on the west side of Michigan Street in the 200 block (former Bosworth’s Home Store/Sherwin Williams).
By 1939, Stewart, who was known about the community as simply “Stewie”, had a burning desire to create this movie house marvel. After dragging Opal around the country to gather the best ideas being implemented at that time, they agreed the timing was right. They also knew just who could implement their desires: Alves O’Keefe, a friend also in his early 30’s who was an architect with his father A.L. O’Keefe. The elder O’Keefe had completed notable construction projects like Lincoln High School and St. Michael Catholic Church. Together, they looked for the most visible downtown location which, at the time, was the corner of Highways 17 and 31 or Michigan and LaPorte Streets. Located on that northeast corner was an imposing three story brick structure that when built in 1865 at the end of the Civil War, became Plymouth’s tallest and most well-appointed structure to date. Amzi Wheeler had this three bay commercial/office/fraternal building built to replace a wood framed mercantile he had earlier built on Lot #1 of the 1836 plat map, a most desirable location. But by 1939, now nearly 75 years post construction, it was reaching a derelict state of condition. Owners at that time were William and Cora VanVactor and they agreed on terms of a sale. Like any good architect, Alves knew what could become of a structure with the bones like that of 100 & 102 N. Michigan Street.
The Daily Pilot, now The Pilot News headline on June 19, 1939 read: REES TO BUILD NEW $75,000 THEATER, with a subline stating that construction would begin about July 1st with a proposed opening date between October 15 and November 1. Either Stewie or Alves or both were very optimistic young men with that short of a timeline. Whether or not they met the budget was never further discussed but that likely was not the case.
The makeover would call for the removal of the entire third floor, the first and second floor structures, the entire common wall separating the two building bays, the entire back east wall and the entire front west wall in order to create the new cinema. That left only the existing south wall standing with 16 window openings to brick in. The Badgley Construction Co. reported only one injury in the astounding five month process. All of that activity and only two pictures remain from an article in The Daily Pilot dated August 8, 1939. Sighted as one ‘delay’ was the inability to get the 14 steel I-beams that would span the nearly 40 foot auditorium, these were replaced with massive poplar wood trusses.
Much detail went into the design of the theater, but one feature stood out and that was the introduction of a ‘Cry Room’ for mothers with fussy babies so they could remain and enjoy the movie behind glass on the mezzanine level adjacent to the ladies lounge. This was one feature that Mrs. Rees requested after visiting a theater in New Jersey. It was thought to be the first in any rural community in all of Indiana and possibly the midwest. She was thrilled to design and live in the first ‘penthouse’ apartment at the time in the city of Plymouth where she could entertain the bridge club ladies.
Prior to opening, The Rees received the distinction of a ‘first run house’ by MGM, Paramount, 20th Century Fox and RKO Pictures securing that in the City of Plymouth, Indiana you would see it first at the Rees Theatre. The first ticket was purchased by Judge John Kitch. It would be hard to imagine the number of generational movie goers that followed and still carry memories of their first movie, first date, first PG13 showing and so on over the subsequent 69 years.
When it opened, the Rees neighbored Merriman’s Grocery that survived the building renovations in the retail bay to the north. Other businesses at the time that shared that busy corner were Rittenhouse Furniture and Marshall County Trust & Savings. The only vestige of that 1940s era of business is the gleaming Rees marquee and even that was destined to be replaced in 1997.
In 1953 at the age of 50, Stewie would pass away. Opal left the operation of the theater in the capable hands and flashlight of Wilbur and Faye Weatherhead. The Hoesel family from Culver acquired the theater and John and Gwen Hoesel became the faces known to the latest generations to attend movies at the Rees until its closing December 20, 2009 with the showing of “Old Dogs” starring John Travolta and Robin Williams. Another significant children’s animated film from 2006 was “Everyone’s Hero”. Four large cutouts of the main character ‘Yankee Irving’ were found in the theater and it is planned that it will be the first feature film for children to be shown when the theater re-opens.
The last significant upgrade took place in 1977 to ‘modernize’ the auditorium and projection equipment. At this time, the art deco design of the auditorium was covered with red acoustical material and Dolby Surround Sound was introduced. In 2017 The REES Project Committee was formed and the theater was moved from private ownership into a newly formed 501(c)3 public charity, The Rees Theatre Inc. It is currently undergoing a total renovation/restoration that will return it to the splendor of its opening night in 1940. The REES will further the presentation of film, yet expand its entertainment to include a live performance stage, a level tiered floor system which will allow for a variety of uses from entertaining to educational presentations and celebration of life events both public and private. Sights are now focused on a grand re-opening in the late Spring of 2021. A progress tour is currently being planned to take place in April. For frequent updates please like The REES on Facebook or visit www.reesproject.com.
For those wishing to be a part of this legacy to Save The Rees may do so with a tax deductible gift to the Marshall County Community Foundation, 2680 Miller Dr. #120, Plymouth, IN 46563.
Any group or organization that would like to have an update or presentation may call: 574-286-2391.
