Rex Theater
519 Court Street,
Clay Center,
KS
67432
519 Court Street,
Clay Center,
KS
67432
1 person
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The Rex Theater opened in 1920 on Court Street originally as a venue for movies, vaudeville and legitimate theater. In the 1980’s, the theater’s balcony was converted into a second auditorium.
After falling into disrepair over the decades, the Rex Theater was purchased by Clay Center resident Jeff Young in 1996 and has been undergoing renovation since then, including a restoration of the marquee and facade, modern sound and projection equipment, a rebuilt concession stand, and a new roof.
Today the Rex Theater screens movies on the weekends, and is also home to the Clay Center Community Chamber Orchestra. It also hosts other live performances when not showing movies.
Contributed by
Joel Weide
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Recent comments (view all 16 comments)
I have very fond memories of The Rex. Back in the 60’s I would spend the summer with my grandparents in Clay Center. The Rex offered free movies on Monday afternoon for kids. You’d pick up the free tickets from downtown merchants. This was a huge treat (this was way before videos) and the kids all enjoyed it. After the movie, we’d go to Rexall Drugs for a Coke (again a thing of the past. They still had their true soda fountain then). I remember the drive-in in Clay Center also (don’t remember the name), but it was behind what I remember as a truck stop. Saw lots of John Wayne there! Clay Center always holds some of my fondest memories and I’m so thrilled they are restoring the theatre and downtown.
Okiecraig, could the drive-in theater you’re thinking of be the Skyline Drive-In?
The Rex Theater has recently been aquired by Chalet Theaters, they are planning to do some extensive work and also are starting first run movies on December 1 of 2006. Additionaly they are adding new projectors and sound to the theater.
what ever happened to this theater?
I understand it to be open with but one film a week,Chalet backed out becasue of some rodent problems of the nasty kind. I do not know if it ever will sustain itself again.
This is a 2008 photo of the Rex.
Another photo of the Rex is here.
The Rex must be open it shows them as playing “The Dark Knight” 02/26/09.
This is also the home for the North Central Kansas Community Chamber Orchestra.
The facility will also be used for live bands, community and area players groups and stand-up comedy.
The Rex Theatre is still open and showing some first run movies. Last week they showed Karate Kid and Grown Ups. The new owners are a local family who has volunteered at the Rex for years. They have made major improvements to the facility and they are open on weekends (with occasional special showings on days when kids are out of school or holiday weekends). Stop by the Rex where movies are always a low $5 per person! We are very fortunate to have the Rex in Clay Center (population 4500) since 1920!