River Oaks Theatre
2009 W. Gray Street,
Houston,
TX
77019
2009 W. Gray Street,
Houston,
TX
77019
12 people
favorited this theater
Showing 51 - 58 of 58 comments
I knew Ross Vollone from the Majestic.
As I remember, Disney wanted an exclusive open end deal on SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON at Christmas 1960. The Majestic and Metropolitan were booked with important Christmas films and the Tower had THE ALAMO. A year early, the Tower had played SLEEPING BEAUTY on an open end (6 weeks) run of which Disney was very pleased and wanted a similiar run on ROBINSON. I believe the River Oaks was the only first run theater available. ROBINSON turned out to be the HIT at Christmas and ended up playing the River Oaks for some 10 weeks. The Disney people were also very pleased and wanted their next films in the same theater. 101 DALMATIONS followed ROBINSON for some 7 weeks, followed by THE ABSENT MINDED PROFESSOR for 8, THE PARENT TRAP for 10 etc.. It all ended at Christmas 1961 with BABES IN TOYLAND which was a flop. After that, the River Oaks went back to Art.
eadkins, you said that the R.O. was, from the 50’s, an art house, but, when they transferred you, in ‘61, it was showing a procession of Disney features. Clarify, please.
Did you ever know Ross Vallone? He was managing there in the early '70s.
Rog
The theatre has some framed interior shots on the walls – I’ll ask if they have copies to post.
Are there any interior shots? Were they destroyed when it was divided?
The River Oaks faces demolition in 2008 by the premises owners to make way for high-rise condos.
The Greater Houston Preservation Alliance suggests that everyone that
has a concern to write a letter to the following person at Weingarten
Realty, and copy the Mayor and Council Member Ada Edwards with the
concerns. They recommend that the letter should include points such as the historical significance of the buildings, cultural significance of the theatre, that it meets the needs of the community it serves, and that there are few places in Houston where one can walk from their homes to enjoy shopping, dining, and entertainment.
This is the contact information:
Mr. Drew Alexander, CEO Weingarten Realty
PO Box 924133
Houston TX 77292-4133
cc Mayor Bill White City of Houston
PO Box 1562
Houston TX 77251
cc Council Member Ada Edwards City of Houston, District D
900 Bagby, First Floor
Houston TX 77002
Recent marquee photo at this link:
View link
This is a awesome Theatre to see! Dont miss it when your in town!
In the early 1950’s, Interstate changed the policy of the River Oaks from neighborhood sub-run to art, foreign langange. It was very successful for many years having the exclusive Houston engagement. I don’t think Houston had another art theater in those days. John Smith was the manager. I was the assistant at the Alabama in 1961 when Interstate transferred me to the River Oaks. The theater was playing SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON exclusive. After that, we followed with 101 DALMATIONS, THE ABSENT MINDED PROFESSOR and THE PARENT TRAP. What a six months that was.