Historical Film Series

Join Shawnee Town in partnership with Aztec Shawnee Theater the 2026 historical film series!  Films will be showing at the newly and beautifully restored Aztec Shawnee Theater at 11119 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS 66203. We look forward to seeing you at the movies. Tickets are $8.00 each and are available at the Aztec Box office. Friends of Shawnee Town members are entitled to free admission, learn more and join today online! Specialty cocktails, beverages and snacks will be available for purchase, and non–beverage food truck purchases can be brought inside. 

Two men stand against a blue background under the title "Time of Their Lives." One looks upward with hands clasped, the other stands with arms crossed, looking skeptical.

The Time of Their Lives (1946)
Thursday, May 14
7:00pm (doors open at 6:00pm)

Let’s celebrate America’s 250th Birthday year with a summer at the movies! Kick off the patriotic season Thursday, May 14 with 1946 film THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES, featuring legendary duo Abbott and Costello in a ghostly comedy with a Revolutionary Twist! 





 

Vintage poster of "Alexander Hamilton" features a man and woman in 18th-century attire. The man gazes at the seated woman, conveying elegance and romance.

ALEXANDER HAMILTON (1931)
Thursday, June 11
7:00pm (doors open at 6:00pm)

Let’s celebrate America’s 250th Birthday year with a summer at the movies! Join us Thursday, June 11 for a screening of 1931’s ALEXANDER HAMILTON – no, not that one! Almost 100 years before the iconic musical hit Broadway, another hit Broadway production (and later film) called “Hamilton” explored the Treasury Secretary’s early efforts to build our nation’s finances (written by a groundbreaking female playwright!) How much do you know about the real Hamilton? Play our Trivia Game to find out!





Poster for the musical film "1776" showcasing vibrant colonial scenes, delegates, and musical elements. The title "1776" is prominently displayed.

1776 The Musical (1972)
Thursday, July 2
7:00pm (doors open at 6:00pm)

Let’s celebrate America’s 250th Birthday year with a summer at the movies! There’s no better film to start our patriotic celebrations than the iconic musical film “1776: THE MUSICAL!” Join us Thursday, July 2 for an entertaining romp through the writing and adoption of our Declaration of Independence, as depicted in this 1972 film. BONUS: featuring special “audience participation” activities! 




A vintage movie poster for "Wings" featuring a woman's face with red hair, a determined expression, surrounded by clouds and biplanes. Bold text below.

Wings (1927)
Thursday, August 13
7:00pm (doors open at 6:00pm)

Let’s celebrate America’s 250th Birthday year with a summer at the movies! Take to the skies in a World War I airplane Thursday, August 13 with this 1927 action classic WINGS! Starring Olathe’s native son, Charlie “Buddy” Rogers along with the famous Clara Bow, WINGS became one of the earliest aviation action films with unbelievable death–defying aerial stunts and synchronized sound effects. 



Buster Keaton leans forward on a train cowcatcher, intense expression, framed by bold vintage text: "Buster Keaton, The General," blue background.

The General (1926)
Thursday, September 24
7:00pm (doors open at 6:00pm)

Let’s celebrate America’s 250th Birthday year with a summer at the movies! Enjoy silent film star Buster Keaton on the silver screen Thursday, September 24 in his 1926 classic THE GENERAL. Appreciate the groundbreaking action effects and comedy genius in Keaton’s favorite film he ever made, based on the true story of the Civil War’s Great Locomotive Chase. 


Vintage movie poster for "The Black Cat." Features a menacing black cat with glowing eyes at the top. Below are portraits of actors and dramatic text.

The Black Cat (1934)
Thursday, October 22
7:00pm (doors open at 6:00pm)

We’re wrapping up America’s 250th Birthday year of films with an American horror classic: 1934’s THE BLACK CAT! Based on American author Edgar Allan Poe’s iconic short story, THE BLACK CAT is an early pre–code Universal film that also marked the first collaboration between two absolute icons of horror: Boris Karloff and Béla Lugosi.