I know that there have been multiple NJ/PA postings recently for closed drive-ins. Just a reminder that this place is still OPEN and is a comfortable drive (2 hrs max) from most of the central NJ/greater Phila region. They frequently show double features. It is also very close to the beautiful Northampton Roxy if you want to make it a classic theater day.
John McGowan operated The Rio, at North Twenty Seventh Street and River Road. The Rio was later acquired by the Savar Theatre Corporation, owned by Samuel and Joseph A. Varbalow
John:
Thanks for your excellent post. I wish we could clone you and put you in all 50 states! Wow 207 theaters, and we only have 25 posted here. Keep us all up to date on your book release.
I know that there have been multiple NJ/PA postings recently for closed drive-ins. Just a reminder that this place is still OPEN and is a comfortable drive (2 hrs max) from most of the central NJ/greater Phila region. They frequently show double features. It is also very close to the beautiful Northampton Roxy if you want to make it a classic theater day.
Thanks, but not necessary. Hope you can make the meeting tomorrow; I can’t make it since it is a bit of a drive mid week.
Old photos here:
http://users.rcn.com/densdoor/Photos/Photos10.html
Another one:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/80826149RnlZxM
2nd paragraph above, change “steam” to “steel”
Thumbnails at this link, don’t try to expand without a paid subscription:
View link
Architects: Hoffman-Henon Co.
Known as the Broadway Theater 1930s-1950 and then the Midway Theater 1951-1970s
Located at 20 Broadway
Information per dvrbs website
Drive-ins listing:
http://www.drive-ins.com/theater/njtwild
I had never heard of a Rio Grande in NJ!
Must have been settled by folks from the great Southwest.
November 11, 1954 photo:
http://www.dvrbs.com/CamdenMovies/Roxy-111154.jpg
Now a church:
View link
Now a gym:
View link
1928 photo (note that it is called the New Lyric):
View link
Another postcard (1920):
View link
Photo from 1950:
View link
Managed by Lee F. Harvey, 1940-1950
Old postcard at this link:
View link
Looks like it was an adult theater back in 1925 per this advertisement:
View link
Add for Bing Crosby movie, putting the theater open as of 1941:
View link
A 1926 photo at this link:
View link
Great history and photos at this link:
http://www.dvrbs.com/CamdenNJ-Movies-Grand.htm
The RIO has for many years been the FAITH HOLY TEMPLE
CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST. Photos at this link:
http://www.dvrbs.com/CamdenNJ-MovieTheaters.htm
Had served as a Union Hall in the mid 1970s.
In recent years it has been the home of the
MT. ZION BAPTIST CHURCH
Photo at this link:
http://www.dvrbs.com/CamdenNJ-MovieTheaters.htm
The Camden web link that someone posted states that this theater was previously known as the Garden.
Samuel Varbalow and family owned the Savar Movie Corporation, which owned the Victoria, among others.
John McGowan operated The Rio, at North Twenty Seventh Street and River Road. The Rio was later acquired by the Savar Theatre Corporation, owned by Samuel and Joseph A. Varbalow
John:
Thanks for your excellent post. I wish we could clone you and put you in all 50 states! Wow 207 theaters, and we only have 25 posted here. Keep us all up to date on your book release.