Fifty years ago this month, Katie and Bud Johnson continued a legacy that has brought entertainment and enjoyment to the community for eight decades. The couple took over operations at Kewanee’s landmark Wanee Theater.
Chris Tanzillo is the couple’s daughter and also the theater manager. To mark the occasion, Tanzillo is holding a free movie night featuring one movie that debuted the day Katie began working at the theater and a summer blockbuster movie from 1975.
The free movie celebration will be held on Monday, June 29 at 7 p.m. Attendees will be able to choose from the The Outlaw Josey Wales and Jaws. Concessions will be open and guests can purchase popcorn, candy and soda.
Tanzillo said Bud Johnson was determined that he would make it to see the 50th year of operations and announced at the theater’s Christmas Party in 2022 that he intended to retire then.
“He never made it to 2026,” she said.
Johnson died on April 29, 2023, after sustaining an injury from a fall.
***This copy has been edited to reflect that Bud and Katie Johnson took over operations at the movie theater 50 years ago but didn’t purchase the theater from Kerosito Theaters until 2000.
