Rig Theater
176 W. Main Street,
Premont,
TX
78375
176 W. Main Street,
Premont,
TX
78375
5 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 32 comments
The Overview photo is likely the 2012 photo. Don Lewis uploaded it himself in January 2013.
https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/10234/photos/65564
That sneak peek of the lobby, it looks in decent condition.
I hope Don Lewis can update his photo links? all are 404 dead.
I stopped for pics of this beauty 7/2021 and the building next to it has been raised to the ground, not sure what is planned for it next.
Does any one know the owners contact info? as i am interested
in the building. Thank you
From December 2012 a photo of the Rig in Premont.
Nice photos from 1984 when the theater was still in use. I wonder why they couldn’t spring for posters for the movie though. Looks a bit empty.
From the “Theatre Construction, Openings and Sales” column in the February 5, 1950, issue of Boxoffice Magazine: “Premont, Tex.– R.H. Smith Theatres Inc., opened 500 seat Rig.”
I think I saw Porky’s at that theater.
If you enter 176 W. Main Street, it takes you right to the theater.
Think I see what’s wrong. The RIG is on Main St, not 1st St. If you do a Google Maps satellite image, the RIG is on the North side of Main St; across the street is a block square park, with a small building off to the center. Just a tad to the West of Hwy 281. The building with the long white roof is likely the RIG. You can see the small add on to the North. Right where the W is on the image text.
Thanks for the photos, Sam. It looks like the Googlemobile got lost in Premont, as their view doesn’t look remotely like the neighborhood in your photos.
Did it again… First line in the post above should read 2/23/09, no ‘08. Doh!
Went by on 2/23/08 and snapped a few pics.
Outside View everyone’s seen before.
Back Side of the building with the added on Air Conditioning room.
To the LEFT as you peek into the hole in the back where the plywood is missing. And to the RIGHT in the same room.
A peek through some broken glass to view the LOBBY
Closeup of the RIG Sign
I live in Austin, and my job takes me to areas like McAllen (where I am right now), Laredo, El Paso, Houston and all parts in between. Many times I try to take the long way home and hit the small towns along the way. I’ll post some this weekend when I get back home.
Hello Silicon Sam. What takes you to that part of Texas and will you be posting the photos?
Thanks
Don…
Still there, sad as always. I took some more photos, got a few shots of the lobby through some broken glass, and some other assorted ones.
Oh yeah, still standing as of 3-4 weeks ago. I will be traveling through Premont early next week, I’ll swing by and check it out, but it’s never changed all the times I drove through town.
I would be curious to know if this theater is still standing. If you look at the Google view, assuming they are at the correct address (it says address is approximate), the small building that is visible looks like the building to the left of the theater in the Cinematour photos. If that is the same building, then the vacant lot next to it would have been the Rig. Any further information would be welcome.
Here is an ad that was in Boxoffice magazine back in April 1962:
FOR SALE: “Rig Theater” Premont Texas. Now operating and in excellent condition. Original cost over $50,000. Will sell whole building and equipment for $25,000. Includes ground floor office or store (street front) and upstairs apartment, all air-conditioned. Write Dr. R.N. Smith, Jr. 513 Lake Drive, Harlingen, Texas.
Here is an interesting photo:
http://tinyurl.com/3345px
why put a new roof on a building your never going to open?????????
A scan of my RIG theater movie ad flyer View link
MY RIG PHOTOGRAPH View link
Hello Mark Sain. I am in touch with a Mr. John Ross who would very much like to exchange some info with you about the RIG.
You may reach him at
Thanks……
See my photo taken about 1985 of the RIG here:
View link