B & B McPherson Cinema IV

B & B McPherson Cinema IV is a movie theater in McPherson, Kansas, United States, operated as part of the B&B Theatres circuit. B&B Theatres is the fifth-largest theatre chain in America, with 564 screens across 57 locations in 16 states, and the McPherson Cinema IV is one of its local venues in Kansas. The theater carries the B&B Theatres brand and offers the chain's core movie-going experience: the latest film releases presented on the big screen, with traditional concessions and dining options that vary by location. As part of B&B Theatres, the McPherson Cinema IV is associated with the company's mission "to create magical entertainment experiences" and its family-oriented, fun-focused brand identity. The B&B name stands for Bills and Bagby, two families that both launched movie theatres and joined forces in 1980. The chain traces its history to 1924, when Elmer Bills, Sr. bought the Lyric Theatre in Salisbury, Missouri, and founded Bills Theatres. Today B&B Theatres operates a range of entertainment formats beyond film, including bowling, arcades, restaurants, and premium auditorium concepts such as Marquee Suites, PLF GRAND SCREEN, screenPLAY!, MX4D, SCREEN-X, 4DX, MAX RELAX, Lyric and 21+ auditoriums, though the specific amenities available at the McPherson Cinema IV depend on the location. The McPherson Cinema IV serves the McPherson, Kansas community as a local first-run movie house under the B&B Theatres banner.

B & B McPherson Cinema IV is a movie theater in McPherson, Kansas, United States, operated under the B&B Theatres brand. Its history is tied to that of B&B Theatres, a family-founded cinema chain whose name stands for Bills and Bagby, two families that both launched movie theatres and joined forces—for business and love—in 1980. The chain's history stretches back to 1924, when Elmer Bills, Sr. bought the Lyric Theatre in Salisbury, Missouri, and founded Bills Theatres. It was there that he met his future wife, Johnnie, while she played the piano along with the silent movies. In 1936, the elder Elmer hired 10-year-old Sterling Bagby as a concession clerk. Sterling grew up, fought in World War II and came home to marry his Higbee, Missouri ticket seller, Pauline. Together they started the Bagby Traveling Picture Show and roamed rural Missouri with their films, projection equipment, seats and snack bar, screening movies in barns, schools and parks. Eventually, Sterling and Pauline's company evolved into a Kansas circuit of drive-in theatres and "hardtops" (their nickname for indoor theatres). Meanwhile, young Elmer Bills, Jr. had met his wife-to-be, Amy, when both were 13, and gone on to graduate from the University of Missouri. The two families merged their theatre businesses in 1980, creating B&B Theatres. Over the following decades B&B Theatres grew into a regional and then national circuit. By the 2020s the company described itself as the fifth-largest theatre chain in America, with 564 screens at 57 locations across 16 states: Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Washington. The circuit also expanded beyond film into bowling (130 lanes), arcades (530+ arcade games), three distinct restaurant brands—Sterling's, Johnnie's Jazz Bar & Grille and Marquee Bar & Grille—and premium auditorium formats including Marquee Suites, PLF GRAND SCREEN, screenPLAY!, MX4D, SCREEN-X, 4DX, MAX RELAX, Lyric and 21+ auditoriums. The B & B McPherson Cinema IV forms part of this Kansas footprint, serving the McPherson community as a local B&B Theatres venue offering first-run movies and concessions. The specific opening date of the McPherson Cinema IV is not documented in the available evidence.

• 1980

  The Bills and Bagby families join forces to create B&B Theatres.

• 1936

  Elmer Bills, Sr. hires 10-year-old Sterling Bagby as a concession clerk.

• 1924

  Elmer Bills, Sr. buys the Lyric Theatre in Salisbury, Missouri, and founds Bills Theatres.

• B&B Theatres grows to 564 screens at 57 locations across 16 states, describing itself as the fifth-largest theatre chain in America.

A local B&B Theatres movie house serving McPherson, Kansas, as part of the fifth-largest theatre chain in America.

• Movie screenings

• Traditional concessions

• Dining options

1. 1Movie Showtimes & Tickets — B&B Theatresbbtheatres.com
2. 2About Us | Our History — B&B Theatresbbtheatres.com
3. 3Backstage about — B&B Theatresbbtheatres.com
4. 4B & B McPherson Cinema IV — Wikidatawikidata.org