Rialto Theater
424 W. Main Street,
Denison,
TX
75020
424 W. Main Street,
Denison,
TX
75020
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John Tullock of Sherman, Texas was the architect.
Not Just It Showed Concerts And Live Music Venue, They Also Screened Classic Films And Special Screenings Every Saturday.
Hi there everyone. I’m the current manager of the Rialto and I just wanted to let you all know that we are open and running once again. I found this page as I was researching the theater and its history.I would love if anyone who has photos, stories, and/or inquiries for the theater get back to me at
A photo I took back in Novemeber of 2010 can be seen here..
Same photo as the one above Randy A Carlisle – Historical Photographer
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rialto-Denison/276919159036294
The Rialto has been remodeled and is having it’s sold out Grand Opening Premiere this Valentine’s Day 02-14-2012: showing Dirty Dancing.
Was in Denison this week (11-22-10) & Sadly, the RIALTO is now closed. I’m going back Next Monday (11-29-10) to get some updated shots of This Theatre & some other Stuctures as well. See if any other Former Theatre Structures are at least still standing, using the address’s that are on this site.
Randy A Carlisle
Historical Photographer
RAC Photography
A great book detailing the history of all 30+ of Denison’s movie theaters is THEATER ROW: MOVIE PALACES OF DENISON, TEXAS, by Billy Holcomb (Denison Heritage Inc., 1999). Has a whole chapter on the Rialto. Over 100 photos. Epilogue by Donna Hord Hunt.
A photo of the World Premiere of Red River in Denison in 1948
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“Red River” returns to the Rialto in 1982, 34 years after its world premier in Denison.
A photo from August 25th, 1948 of the Rialto Theater in Denison featuring a world premier engagement of “Red River”
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RED RIVER RETURNS TO DENISON
Trying to capture a little of movie hey days of the past, Red River
returned to the Rialto at Denison on a cool evening, March 18, 1982.
The event generated a little bit of excitement as quite a number of oldtimers reminished about the night 34 years earlier.
The celebration was a far cry from the original, however Denison’s leaders were a different breed, displaying a lack of concern for a
historic occasion of trying to bring back the Rialto’s golden years.
The Classic Red River itself had become relic, ragged and old.
Most in attendance wondered why they were not at home seeing it on
television. Billy Holcomb
television.
I will get some pictures of the Red River Premier at Denison up soon
..Billy Holcomb….
RED RIVER Premiered at the Rialto, Wednesday, August 25, 1948.
It was a world premier, but this was the Southwest Premier, but as
reported the stars did not appear at Denison.
Most of them came to Dallas during the weekend.
John Wayne did mention the reason for the premier at Denison was it
was possibly because it was so close to Red River.
The feature was supposed to open at Denison on the 25th, and open
at 350 theaters the next day.
However, many of the towns already had the feature such as Sherman,
and most of them opened their showings on the 25th.
Everyone at denison still has bragging rights that Red River made its
first showing in town……Billy Holcomb
A 1984 image of the Rialto Theater in Denison.
THEATER FOR SALE $375,000
A 1983 photo of the Rialto Theater in Denison showing a premier engagement of “Octopussy”.
There is a photo of the Rialto on this page:
http://tinyurl.com/vlbg9
Here is a promotional website:
http://www.mainstreetshowcase.com/
“Red River” featuring John Wayne, premiered at this theater on 9/1/48 with Wayne, Montgomery Clift and the other stars present.
Currently houses the Main Street Country Showcase – (903) 463-1690