Pass the Popcorn: Dundee Theater’s Century of Movie Magic

July 17th, 2025

When does an arthouse cinema meet a Hollywood box office giant? In Omaha, that year was 1965. And in a full-circle twist, it’s also 2025.

As Film Streams celebrates the 100th anniversary of the historic Dundee Theater, one chapter in its long history stands out: the nearly improbable, record-breaking run of The Sound of Music, which began on March 1, 1965, and lasted 118 weeks straight.

At the time, the theater’s future was uncertain. Equipment had been moved out, and many believed the curtain had closed for good. But a new lease agreement with Minneapolis-based operators gave the Dundee a second life—as an arthouse theater. When it reopened, it did so with cinematic flair, showing Federico Fellini’s 8½.

Just months later, the Cooper Theater chain took back control of the building and launched a renovation. The upgrades included new seats, an enhanced sound system, and 70mm projection capabilities, all in anticipation of the arrival of The Sound of Music.

What followed was the kind of box-office magic that cinema dreams are made of. The Dundee transformed from a haven of European film into the city’s premier destination for one of Hollywood’s most beloved musicals.

This summer, Film Streams will commemorate that milestone with a weekend of The Sound of Music screenings—Saturday, July 26, and a sing-along version on Sunday, July 27.

And the timing couldn’t be more fitting.

Just two days earlier, on July 24, theaters across the country will mark Art House Theater Day, an annual celebration of the independent cinemas that continue to inspire and connect communities. At Film Streams’ Ruth Sokolof Theater in North Downtown Omaha, audiences will have the opportunity to see Sean Baker’s acclaimed indie film, Tangerine, and enjoy a variety of special events and offers.

For more information about the Dundee Theater centennial events, The Sound of Music screenings, or Art House Theater Day programming, visit filmstreams.org.

In Omaha, a century-old cinema continues to find new life by honoring its past, proving that sometimes, movie magic does repeat itself.

By Casey Logan.