Gulf States never owned the Skyvue Drive in El Dorado, Arkansas. They owned the Skyvue, now demolished, that was in Mississippi. Union Cinema Corp. owned by my late husband, was the last to own the Skyvue in El Dorado, Arkansas. He bought the business from South Arkansas Amusement Co. which was run by James McWilliams in 1974. We ran the business several years.I even mowed the grass. I was there the last day when we gave away the speakers. Late 70’s/early 80’s. It was since demolished and now is a mobile home sales park.
The older Stars Theatre actually had 2 locations. The first location was near the corner of E.Hillsboro and S.Washington St. It was sold to John Welch who opened it up further east on Hillsboro near the bottling plant. He was running it in the 1950’s. This is the theater that’s photo is posted above. Both locations were demolished. However there is a photo of the original Stars Theatre circulated on Ebay. That theater was made of wood and painted white, with the name “Stars Theatre” painted in black letters on the front top of the building.
The Rialto Theater is currently under renovation (2018) by the Murphy Art District of El Dorado, Arkansas. The Rialto was built on the same property of an older building, also named, the Rialto. The building now standing opened in 1929. It provided the town with one screen and a balcony, typical of that time, along with an organ to accompany the movies of that era. The original box office is on the front outside of the lobby, in a beautiful covered mosaic tiled mezzanine. There are several entry and exit doors made of mahogany and beveled cut glass. The front of the building is adorned with a splendid, one of a kind neon and metal marquee. The interior is magnificent and has withstood the test of time. There are 3 staircases. One, circular, winding upwards to a second story lobby, the balcony, and restrooms. Another is in a more conventional shape going to the balcony and upstairs lobby. Both are carpeted. The 3rd is a wooden staircase going up towards the projection booth. The theater also has an orchestra pit and actor dressing rooms for live shows of the time period. The first floor of the seating area is slanted and made of concrete. In 1974 South Arkansas Amusement Co. owned by L.B.Clark and James McWilliams of El Dorado, AR sold the theater and the Sky Vue Drive In, also owned by SAA to James H. Riley of Union Cinema Corp. UCC began operating the theater on January 1, 1975, until the late 1980’s, when the hay day of historic theaters began to decline. Later it was sold again to Richard Mason of the El Dorado area. The original carbon arc projectors, which at the time were approximately 60 years old, were replaced with modern equipment. Also the balcony was divided, so that the theater contained 3 screens in total. The original water tower cooling system was replaced with more modern equipment. And the roof received a much needed repair. This beautiful building is listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings. There are numerous photo’s of the Rialto and it’s interior available from various sources online. It clearly is, the most magnificent historic building in the town of El Dorado. We are extremely fortunate this building has survived and now to be restored, when so many across the nation no longer exist.
Previous to our ownership the Sky Vue was owned by Clark and McWilliams that also owned the still beautiful Rialto theatre in El Dorado, Arkansas. Our family also operated the Rialto for years on two different occasions. The drive in was closed not long after the motel up the hill was built. Due to the decline of drive ins everywhere. Plus the screen could not compete with the bright lights coming from the motel.
Meaning it’s been closed and demolished 40 something years ago. :)
As far as what is there now in 2024, I haven’t been that way in a long time. Doesn’t really matter at this point.
Gulf States never owned the Skyvue Drive in El Dorado, Arkansas. They owned the Skyvue, now demolished, that was in Mississippi. Union Cinema Corp. owned by my late husband, was the last to own the Skyvue in El Dorado, Arkansas. He bought the business from South Arkansas Amusement Co. which was run by James McWilliams in 1974. We ran the business several years.I even mowed the grass. I was there the last day when we gave away the speakers. Late 70’s/early 80’s. It was since demolished and now is a mobile home sales park.
P.S. I am assuming the above photo is correct for the theaters 2nd and final location. Though I have always been told it was a quonset type building.
The older Stars Theatre actually had 2 locations. The first location was near the corner of E.Hillsboro and S.Washington St. It was sold to John Welch who opened it up further east on Hillsboro near the bottling plant. He was running it in the 1950’s. This is the theater that’s photo is posted above. Both locations were demolished. However there is a photo of the original Stars Theatre circulated on Ebay. That theater was made of wood and painted white, with the name “Stars Theatre” painted in black letters on the front top of the building.
Thank you for adding this wonderful photo.
Thank you for posting this wonderful photo of a beautiful theatre.
Thank you for posting this wonderful photo.
The Rialto Theater is currently under renovation (2018) by the Murphy Art District of El Dorado, Arkansas. The Rialto was built on the same property of an older building, also named, the Rialto. The building now standing opened in 1929. It provided the town with one screen and a balcony, typical of that time, along with an organ to accompany the movies of that era. The original box office is on the front outside of the lobby, in a beautiful covered mosaic tiled mezzanine. There are several entry and exit doors made of mahogany and beveled cut glass. The front of the building is adorned with a splendid, one of a kind neon and metal marquee. The interior is magnificent and has withstood the test of time. There are 3 staircases. One, circular, winding upwards to a second story lobby, the balcony, and restrooms. Another is in a more conventional shape going to the balcony and upstairs lobby. Both are carpeted. The 3rd is a wooden staircase going up towards the projection booth. The theater also has an orchestra pit and actor dressing rooms for live shows of the time period. The first floor of the seating area is slanted and made of concrete. In 1974 South Arkansas Amusement Co. owned by L.B.Clark and James McWilliams of El Dorado, AR sold the theater and the Sky Vue Drive In, also owned by SAA to James H. Riley of Union Cinema Corp. UCC began operating the theater on January 1, 1975, until the late 1980’s, when the hay day of historic theaters began to decline. Later it was sold again to Richard Mason of the El Dorado area. The original carbon arc projectors, which at the time were approximately 60 years old, were replaced with modern equipment. Also the balcony was divided, so that the theater contained 3 screens in total. The original water tower cooling system was replaced with more modern equipment. And the roof received a much needed repair. This beautiful building is listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings. There are numerous photo’s of the Rialto and it’s interior available from various sources online. It clearly is, the most magnificent historic building in the town of El Dorado. We are extremely fortunate this building has survived and now to be restored, when so many across the nation no longer exist.
In the photo above, El Dorado Cinema 5 can be located in the shopping center by it’s blue roofing.
Previous to our ownership the Sky Vue was owned by Clark and McWilliams that also owned the still beautiful Rialto theatre in El Dorado, Arkansas. Our family also operated the Rialto for years on two different occasions. The drive in was closed not long after the motel up the hill was built. Due to the decline of drive ins everywhere. Plus the screen could not compete with the bright lights coming from the motel.