Dickinson Theatres
Corporate brand
UnclaimedFormer American movie-theater chain that operated multiplexes, traditional cinemas, and drive-in theaters across the Midwestern and Southern United States.
Last updated August 25, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile yet.
Overview
Dickinson Theatres was an American motion-picture exhibition company founded in 1920 by Glen W. Dickinson, Sr. The privately owned chain began with a small two-screen theater in Manhattan, Kansas, and developed into a regional cinema operator serving communities across the Midwest and parts of the South and Southwest. Its historical footprint included Arkansas, Arizona, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. The company grew through a combination of new theater construction, acquisitions, market expansion, and modernization. During its early decades, Dickinson established theaters in Kansas communities including Lawrence, Junction City, Ellsworth, Beloit, and Great Bend, while also expanding into Missouri. By 1931, the business was associated with 26 theaters and had moved its corporate office to Lawrence, Kansas. After World War II, it diversified into outdoor exhibition, opening its first drive-in theater in Pittsburg, Kansas, in 1946 and adding further drive-in properties in Salina, Shawnee, and Leawood in 1948. Leadership remained within the Dickinson family for much of the twentieth century. Glen W. Dickinson, Jr. succeeded the founder after his death in 1963 and oversaw a period of geographic expansion and property development. A major turning point came in the early 1980s, when the company acquired 25 screens from Mann Theatres, increasing its total from 46 to 71 screens and extending operations into four states. The company subsequently invested in refurbished auditoriums, upgraded presentation technology, and larger multiplexes in markets such as Kansas City, Wichita, Springfield, and Columbia. Dickinson's most visible developments included the Glenwood Theatre in Overland Park, which opened in 1966, and later multiplex projects such as SouthGlen, Plaza Cinema 6, and WestGlen. WestGlen opened in 1995 as a 12-screen complex and later expanded to 18 screens. By the chain's seventy-fifth anniversary, Dickinson reported 168 screens in 39 locations throughout the Mid-American region. The family's direct operating role ended in 1999 when Wood Dickinson left the exhibition business to establish Renegade Pictures, LLC. John Hartley, previously the company's head of purchasing, led the next phase of operations. The company added National CineMedia to its advertising and network affiliations in 2011. In July 2012, Hartley retired and sold Dickinson Theatres to Ron Horton, then the company's executive vice president for film buying and marketing. In its final reported period, Dickinson operated a network of approximately 18 locations and 210 screens across seven states. The circuit included conventional multiplexes as well as sites promoted around premium formats such as IMAX and large-screen exhibition. In October 2014, B&B Theatres, a privately held cinema chain based in Liberty, Missouri, acquired Dickinson Theatres. The Dickinson locations were expected to be rebranded under the B&B Theatres name, ending Dickinson's operation as an independent theater brand.
History
Glen W. Dickinson, Sr. entered the theater business in 1920 after leaving his family's Ford dealership in Brookfield, Missouri. He purchased a small two-screen venue in Manhattan, Kansas, and opened it as the Dickinson Marshall Theatre in November of that year. The venture became the foundation of a regional exhibition circuit. Dickinson soon added a second market in Lawrence, Kansas, where it opened the Dickinson Bowersock Theatre and later another venue. During the company's first decade, it expanded through Kansas communities including Junction City, Ellsworth, Beloit, and Great Bend, and also established a theater in Springfield, Missouri. By 1931, the circuit was associated with 26 theaters and relocated its office to Lawrence. The company diversified into drive-in exhibition after World War II. Its first drive-in opened in Pittsburg, Kansas, in 1946, followed by the 81 Drive-In in Salina, the Shawnee Drive-In in Shawnee, and the Leawood Drive-In in Leawood in 1948. Subsequent expansion under Glen W. Dickinson, Jr. extended the company's reach into Iowa, Illinois, and additional Missouri markets. Dickinson invested heavily in the Kansas City metropolitan area during the 1960s. The company developed the Glenwood Theatre and an adjoining motor-hotel project near 95th Street and Metcalf Avenue. The Glenwood opened in 1966 with a Midwest premiere of Is Paris Burning? and became a prominent example of the chain's emphasis on comfort, design, and presentation quality. Additional screens were later added as the complex gained popularity. Following the founder's death in 1963, Glen W. Dickinson, Jr. led the company for approximately two decades. After his death in 1983, Kent Dickinson became the principal leader, with Jon Scott Dickinson and Glen Wood Dickinson III serving as vice presidents. In the early 1980s, the company acquired 25 screens from Mann Theatres, raising its total from 46 to 71 screens and giving it operations in four states. During the decade, Dickinson renovated existing sites and built larger multiplexes in Kansas City, Wichita, Springfield, and Columbia. Wood Dickinson became president in 1992. His period in office included the opening of the 12-screen SouthGlen Theatre in suburban Overland Park and the Plaza Cinema 6 in Leavenworth. In 1995, the company marked its seventy-fifth anniversary with the opening of WestGlen 12 in Shawnee. Promoted as a premium and highly comfortable cinema complex, WestGlen later expanded to 18 screens. The company reported at least 20 additional screens during 1995 and operated 168 screens in 39 locations across Mid-America. A major ownership and management transition took place in 1999, when Wood Dickinson left the theater business to form Renegade Pictures, LLC. John Hartley, formerly the company's head of purchasing, assumed leadership with a management group focused on renewing the chain's family-entertainment mission. Dickinson continued to modernize its operations and moved further toward digital-era exhibition and cinema advertising. National CineMedia became part of its network affiliations in 2011. In July 2012, Hartley retired and sold the business to Ron Horton, then executive vice president of film buying and marketing. In the final phase of independent operation, Dickinson reported approximately 18 theaters and 210 screens in seven states, including Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. The circuit included locations with IMAX and other premium-format offerings. B&B Theatres purchased Dickinson Theatres in October 2014, after which the former Dickinson properties were expected to receive B&B branding. This acquisition ended Dickinson Theatres as an independent cinema chain.
- 2014
Acquisition by B&B Theatres
[1]B&B Theatres acquired Dickinson Theatres, with the properties expected to be rebranded.
- 2012
Ownership passes to Ron Horton
[1]Ron Horton acquired the chain following John Hartley's retirement.
- 2011
National CineMedia affiliation
[1]The company added National CineMedia to its network affiliations.
- 1999
Family management era ends
[1]Wood Dickinson left theater operations to establish Renegade Pictures, and John Hartley-led management took control.
- 1995
WestGlen 12 opens
[1]Dickinson opened WestGlen 12 in Shawnee, Kansas; the complex later expanded to 18 screens.
- 1992
Wood Dickinson becomes president
[1]Wood Dickinson was appointed president and oversaw further multiplex development.
- 1983
Kent Dickinson assumes leadership
[1]After Glen W. Dickinson, Jr.'s death, Kent Dickinson became the company's principal leader.
- 1980
Mann Theatres screen acquisition
[1]Dickinson acquired 25 screens from Mann Theatres, increasing its network from 46 to 71 screens.
- 1966
Glenwood Theatre opens
[1]The Glenwood Theatre opened in Overland Park, Kansas, becoming a flagship venue for the chain.
- 1963
Founder dies
[1]Glen W. Dickinson, Sr. died, and leadership passed to Glen W. Dickinson, Jr.
Products and positioning
Regional, family-oriented cinema operator emphasizing comfortable auditoriums, modern presentation technology, premium venues, and convenient multiplex locations.
Cinema exhibition · 1920
Traditional movie theaters
Dickinson's core business was the operation of indoor cinemas showing first-run motion pictures. Its circuit served both college towns and metropolitan suburbs, combining conventional auditoriums with larger multiplex developments. The company emphasized comfort, updated projection and sound technology, and family-oriented entertainment.
Outdoor cinema · 1946
Drive-in theaters
Beginning in 1946, Dickinson operated outdoor drive-in venues, initially in Kansas. Drive-ins became an important diversification area during the postwar period, with additional properties opening in Salina, Shawnee, and Leawood in 1948.
Premium cinema
Premium-format theaters
The chain operated or promoted premium presentation venues, including IMAX locations and large-screen exhibition sites. These offerings formed part of Dickinson's later strategy to differentiate newer multiplexes through enhanced screen size, presentation technology, and auditorium experience.
Advertising service · 2011
Cinema advertising
Dickinson participated in cinema advertising through its affiliation with National CineMedia, added to the chain's network in 2011 and operational from December of that year.
Brand decisions
2014
Sell the chain to B&B TheatresM&ABackground
After decades of family ownership and later independent management, Dickinson became part of a larger privately held theater group.
Action taken
B&B Theatres acquired Dickinson Theatres in October 2014.
Aftermath
The former Dickinson locations were expected to be rebranded under B&B Theatres, ending Dickinson's independent operation.
2011
Add National CineMedia affiliationStrategyBackground
Dickinson was adapting its theater network to contemporary cinema advertising and media-distribution practices.
Action taken
The chain added National CineMedia to its network affiliates, with the relationship beginning in December.
Aftermath
The affiliation expanded the company's participation in national cinema advertising.
1995
Open WestGlen 12Product launchBackground
Dickinson was marking its seventy-fifth anniversary while pursuing larger, more luxurious multiplex formats.
Action taken
The company opened WestGlen 12 in Shawnee, Kansas, positioning it as a flagship operating model; the venue later expanded to 18 screens.
Aftermath
The opening accompanied substantial network growth, with the company reporting 168 screens in 39 locations during the anniversary year.
1980
Acquire 25 Mann Theatres screensM&ABackground
Dickinson sought to increase its scale and geographic reach in the regional cinema market.
Action taken
The company purchased 25 screens from Mann Theatres.
Aftermath
Dickinson's reported screen count rose from 46 to 71, and its operations extended across four states.
1946
Enter drive-in exhibitionStrategyBackground
The postwar expansion of automobile ownership and suburban entertainment created an opportunity to broaden the company's theater portfolio.
Action taken
Dickinson opened its first drive-in theater in Pittsburg, Kansas, and followed it with additional Kansas drive-ins.
Aftermath
The move diversified the circuit beyond indoor theaters and established an additional format within the company's regional portfolio.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/dickinson-theatres · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled