Elmer Bills, Sr. founded Bills Theatres in Salisbury, Missouri, in 1924. When Elmer Sr. bought the Lyric Theatre in Salisbury, he met his future wife, Johnnie, the piano player for the silent movies. A few years later, Elmer Bills, Jr. was born into the business.

In 1936, at age ten, Sterling Bagby went to work for Elmer Bills, Sr. as a concession clerk. After serving in World War II, Sterling married his Higbee, Missouri, ticket seller, Pauline Bagby. Together, they started the Bagby Traveling Picture Show presenting movies throughout rural Missouri, traveling with the film, projection, equipment, seats and snack bar. The Traveling Picture show presented movies in barns, schools, and parks. The company would eventually evolve into a Kansas circuit of drive-in theatres and "hardtops" (indoor theatres).

In 1959, Elmer Bills, Jr. graduated from the University of Missouri and married Amy (lovingly referred to by him as "the best popcorn girl he ever hired"). Elmer & Amy joined Elmer Sr. & Johnnie and continued the expansion of Bills Theatres, Inc.

On January 1, 1980, the Bagby and Bills families cemented decades of friendship by formally combining the two theatre companies into B & B (Bills & Bagby) Theatres. At the same time, Sterling & Pauline's son, Bob, married Elmer & Amy's daughter, Bridget, truly bringing the families together. After taking us into the 21st Century, Sterling Bagby passed away in October, 2000. Today, Bob & Bridget, Elmer & Amy, and Pauline run one of the Midwest's fastest growing theatre circuits. We were recognized in 1999 by the National Association of Theatre Owners as one of the oldest family-owned circuits in the Midwest.