Verde Valley Theatre

The Grand Theater in Clarkdale, AZ was closed prior to 1954. The equipment was purchased by Amon F Allen along with the equipment in the Jerome Theater, as well as the building and equipment of the Rialto Theater in Cottonwood. The Allen’s and their Daughter Nelwyn purchased the equipment and Rialto Theater from the Don Bechetti family, 1955. They built the Verde Valley Drive Inn Theater, 1956. The Allen and Nordeen family owned and operated the two theaters until 1974. The Rialto was the longest running indoor theater in the US from 1923 to 1998. 1998 there was a fire ending the Rialto Theater history .The Drive inn was torn down, however the foundation for the screen is still on site near the corner of E. Cherry Street. 2004 the Rialto building was turned into the Tavern Grill. Great place to eat. I eat there every once in a while and remember the days and nights. You can still see the shadow of the staircase leading up to the projection booth on the South wall. AL Nordeen