REX II Revisited

You’ll have to pardon me for a “re-run” blog today. I’ve been thinking about the businesses in Caddo and I realized that some new readers of my blog may not have read the earlier posts about them. My husband and I went to see The DaVinci Code last week, so I thought I’d start with the post I did last year about the REX II.  But for those of you who have already read it, you can scroll down to an ad I found for the original REX in one of Mother’s newspaper clippings from 1944.

REX II Theater, Where Memories Are Made

I remember going to the REX when I was a teenager. I’m not sure if we cared then about what was playing on the screen. We cared about being seen, about talking with friends, about hanging out. We needed a place to call our own. Teenagers today have the same need. Hal Nesbitt understands that. His compassion for the youth of Caddo is one of the reasons he and his wife lovingly restored the theater from a pile of rubble to a thriving hangout for the young and young at heart.

Everything about the theater, from the dozens of signatures and photos on the wall, to the smell of  buttered popcorn, says “welcome”. The REX II is all about hospitality and relaxation. It’s more than a place to watch a movie. It’s a place to visit with family and friends and remember what it’s like to really enjoy an evening. The first time we visited Crystal took our picture and hung it up. We got to sign the wall and enter a drawing for a free T-shirt.

The theater has been reopened for five years. Hal sometimes thinks he was foolish to open a business in Caddo, “a small town off the beaten path”. But he enjoys being his own boss and he seems to understand that his business has been a positive influence in the community. He likes doing business in his home town and has dreams of opening the doors to at least 200 customers a week. The theater shows recent movies just a few weeks after their first showing. I always think it’s worth the wait just to see them in a relaxing atmosphere.

The REX II also has a first-rate snack bar. Hal says he makes the “best root beer float anywhere”. That’s something you’ll just have to judge for yourself! The snack bar also serves hot dogs, nachos, Frito chili pie, pizza, pretzels, popcorn, and candy. The snack bar schedule:

Sunday 2:00p.m. - 5:00p.m.
Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Thursday 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Friday 5:00 p.m. - Midnight
Saturday 5:00 - Midnight

Movies and times are available at REX II or by calling 580-367-2000. Drive to Caddo for a night at the movies. You’ll be so glad you did!

(Caddo Herald, December 1, 1940)

REX THEATRE

Every Night in Comfort

Friday and Saturday

Charles Starrett in RIDING WEST

Saturday night, prevue

Sunday and Monday

Spencer Tracey, Irene Dunne in A GUY NAMED JOE

Comments

[Betty]

Your blog is very interesting. I put it in my "favorites" folder.

[Homer Hawkins]

I heped install Powers Projectors
in A theatre in Caddo about 1946
for Arvin Ellis, yhe owner at that time. Homer Hawkins