At the Dixon Historic Theatre, we take great pride in our unique place in American history as the hometown theatre of Ronald Reagan. Long before he stepped onto the world stage, Reagan sat in a movie seat here in Dixon, inspired by the magic of the screen and dreaming of one day becoming an actor himself. That dream led to a remarkable career in Hollywood, including his powerful role in Kings Row—the very film we are honored to present.

This classic drama follows Parris Mitchell (Robert Cummings), a young man determined to become a psychiatrist, and his friend Drake McHugh (Reagan), a charming playboy whose life is irrevocably changed by tragedy. Set in a seemingly quiet town, the story reveals the darker undercurrents of provincial life, exploring themes of mental illness, repression, moral hypocrisy, and forbidden desire.

One of the film’s most unforgettable moments involves a cruel surgeon (Charles Coburn) whose shocking actions lead to the famous and haunting line, “Where’s the rest of me?”—a scene that became one of the most iconic in classic cinema and cemented Reagan’s reputation as a serious dramatic actor.

Join us for this special screening that not only showcases a landmark film of the 1940s but also celebrates the legacy of a young man from Dixon who once watched movies in this very theatre and went on to become one of the most recognized figures in American history.