Bill Lindblom loves movies.

If you give him the time, he’ll talk for hours about his favorite movies, the state of the film

industry, actors and actresses he likes — almost anything is game in the realm of movies.

“I’ll talk your ear off,” he said.

It makes since then that Lindblom spends the majority of his time managing the Vickers Theatre in Three Oaks. Lindblom owns the 100-year-old theater along with business partners and friends, Judy and Joe Scully.

The theater boasts a “truly unique movie-going experience of independent, documentaries, foreign and foreign language films that will open your minds, enrich your lives and entertain your spirit.”

In other words, you won’t find “Transformers 3” or “Mission: Impossible 4” playing there.
December’s cinema lineup included the French film “Le Havre” directed by Aki Kaurismaki, Cannes Film Festival favorite “Take Shelter,” “The Way” with Martin Sheen and “Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey.”

Films generally run for a two-week period at the Vickers, with two films running concurrently.

“We try and bring in quality films that make you think,” Lindblom said.

The one-screen theater seats 126 people, including cafe and limited private balcony seating. Lindblom says it is just the right size to give people an intimate experience without feeling cramped.

“I can’t tell you how many people I’ve come to know by face and name because they come here weekly or through the whole summer,” Lindblom said. “We are talking about 85 to 90 percent are seniors, and that category of filmgoer has risen in the past few years, the over-55 set.”

The Vickers Theatre, North Elm Street in downtown Three Oaks, has had five names in its history. It opened in 1911 as The Fairyland before changing names to The Lee Theatre in 1939, The Family Theatre and The Oak Theatre.

Jon and Jennifer Vickers bought and restored the theater in 1994, renaming it Vickers Theatre.

Lindblom and the Scullys purchased the theater from the Vickers in 2010. The decision to buy was made over dinner.

“After a couple glasses of wine we said, ‘yeah it would be great fun. Let’s do it,’” Lindblom said. “Truly, none of us really knew what we were getting into.

“Very naively we stepped into it, but it has all worked out well.”

For show times and information, visit the Vickers Theatre website vickerstheatre.com or call (269) 756-3522. The theater is closed for the winter season. It reopens in March.

Bill Lindblom’s favorite movies

• “Shop Around the Corner,” a 1940 romantic comedy starring Margaret Sullavan and James Stewart.

• “Shadow of a Doubt,” a 1943 thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock.

• “Bringing Up Baby,” a 1938 comedy starring Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant.