HISTORY OF THE VICKERS THEATRE, THREE OAKS, MI
A History of the Vickers Theatre
1907
The first moving pictures shown in Three Oaks appeared at the Acorn Opera House, located where the parking lot now sits beside the present-day Vickers Theatre. In the spring of 1909, Melvin Smith of Three Rivers pitched a tent in the Three Oaks business district, presenting movies and vaudeville acts. The venture was an immediate success.
Within two years, three dedicated “movie houses” opened in town, bearing the enchanting names The Princess, The Idle Hour, and The Fairyland — the latter of which would eventually become the Vickers Theatre.
1911
The Fairyland Theatre (located where Alapash is currently) was originally owned by Frank Lee and Clarence Perham. After Lee purchased his partner’s share, the theatre became known as Lee’s Theatre. The Lee family played an active role in its daily operation. Before the era of sound films, Bea McGrath (Lee’s daughter) ran the box office and played in the orchestra, her brother Eldon Lee played the cornet, and their mother, Ada Lee, played the drums and occasionally the player piano. Les Lee, Frank Lee’s grandson, fondly recalled tearing tickets at the theatre as an 11-year-old boy.
1929
The first “sound” film shown at the theatre was The Pagan, starring Ramon Navarro. Rather than synchronized sound, the film relied on a series of special records played alongside the projection — a common transitional solution for small-town theatres at the time.
1939
In 1939, Lee’s Theatre moved to its current location at 6 N. Elm Street. The first film screened in the new space was At the Circus, starring the Marx Brothers. The building itself dates back to before 1880, when it served as a livery and feed store known as Fisher’s. For more than 50 years, successive generations of the Lee family continued to operate the theatre.
1970–1990
During this period, the theatre changed hands several times. It ultimately closed in 1990 and remained vacant for four years.
1994
In 1994, the theatre was purchased by Jon and Jennifer Vickers. After two and a half years of meticulous restoration, the building reopened in June 1996 as the Vickers Theatre, with Citizen Kane as its opening film. The Vickers also introduced the beloved outdoor “Sound of Silents Film Festival,” an annual event that became a highlight for the community. Since reopening, the theatre has also served as a rotating art gallery, featuring monthly exhibitions by local artists.
2010–2022
Judy and Joe Scully purchased the Vickers Theatre in June 2010.
In November 2012, the Vickers transitioned from film to digital projection, a necessary step to continue screening new releases. The first digital film shown at the theatre was Beasts of the Southern Wild.
That same year marked the launch of First Tuesdays, a film and discussion series presented in partnership with Harbor Country Progress. The series offered free community screenings of documentary films followed by monthly discussion forums. Film professor Judd Chesler also led film discussion groups connected to select Vickers screenings.
During this time, the Vickers expanded its role as a multidisciplinary arts venue. The Three Oaks Theatre Festival presented a staged reading of Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart at the Vickers as part of its second season, performed by the original Chicago cast from the TimeLine Theatre Company. In its third season, the festival returned with Chapatti, starring Penny Slusher and John Mahoney.
The Vickers continued to host post-screening Q&As with actors, directors, producers, and editors, and regularly premiered films with local connections. The theatre also became home to annual festivals including the Coastline Children’s Film Festival, the Fernwood Environmental Festival, and the much-loved Manhattan Short Film Festival, which sells out each year.
In 2019, the Vickers obtained a liquor license for beer and wine, further enhancing the moviegoing experience for its patrons.
Over its long history, the theatre has operated under five names: The Fairyland, Lee’s Theatre, The Family Theater, The Oak Theater, and finally, The Vickers Theatre.
2022–Present
A New Chapter
In December 2022, Zach Hackett purchased the Vickers Theatre, ushering in a new chapter grounded in preservation, community, and a deep love of cinema.
Building on the theatre’s long history, the current ownership has expanded programming to include first-run films, carefully curated classics through Throwback Thursdays, and a growing slate of special events, live performances, and filmmaker conversations. The Vickers has strengthened its role as a cultural gathering place for Harbor Country through festivals, community partnerships, and one-of-a-kind screenings that bring people together beyond the screen.
Ongoing investments in programming, presentation, and the guest experience reflect a commitment to keeping the Vickers vibrant, welcoming, and sustainable for years to come. Today, the Vickers Theatre remains a proudly independent, community-supported cinema, honoring its past while continuing to evolve as a home for great films, meaningful conversations, and shared experiences.