Rio Theatre
323 Walnut Street,
Harrisburg,
PA
17113
323 Walnut Street,
Harrisburg,
PA
17113
2 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Fabian Theaters, Wilmer & Vincent Corp.
Styles: Art Deco
Previous Names: Majestic Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The Majestic Theatre was on Walnut Street across from Capitol Park and adjacent to a large YWCA building in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Built in 1908, the Majestic Theatre featuring vaudeville and shows such as "No, No, Nanette" and "Rose Marie". Deem’s Taylor’s opera, "The King’s Henchman" was performed there and artists such as pianist Josef Hofmann were booked into the house. It also doubled as a movie theatre and was closed in 1935.
In 1938 it settled into its final identity, remodeled as a first-run movie theatre, it reopened as the Rio Theatre on November 4, 1938 with Frank Capra’s "You Can’t Take It With You" starring Jean Arthur. It continued to show quality film fare until the late-1940’s when it slipped into double-feature B-movie programming and a final sad decline.
The Rio Theatre was a beautiful Art Deco style theatre with a three-story facade. A large vertical sign spelled out the name which also appeared at the front of the triangular marquee. What appears to be a large circular window was behind the vertical sign. I vaguely remember that the lobby area had a multi-level structure with stairs that suggested its legitimate theatre origins.
The Rio Theatre was closed on October 25, 1954 with Randolph Scott in “Coroner Creek” & Randolph Scott in “Gunfighters”. It was razed in March of 1955 and Strawberry Square now occupies most of the block.
Contributed by
Ross Care
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Recent comments (view all 14 comments)
I was just starting to run movies at the time the Rio was about to close. My dad took me there twice, my Uncle was the projectionist, I always remember it being real neat and clean…Never worked this one…
I hardly ever attended the Rio, Like JohnS the westerns and B-movies it screened never appealed to me. Then it was one of the first downtown Harrisburg theaters to be razed.
Thus I only have vague recollections of the interior. If anyone has any clearer memories I would like to read them.
JohnS, where on Market St. was the Victoria? Downtown? I don’t recall that theater at all.
Do you remember Harrisburg radio personality, Red McCarthy? He had a show broadcast from a studio on Market St. close to Front St.
FLICKr Album:
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After the demolition of the Rio. You can still see the gas station which is to the right in the previous photo of the theater in its prime.
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BTW I now date my previous Rio photo at 1950, the year THE SAVAGE HORDE with Wild Bill Elliott (the film on the marquee) was released.
1928 photo as the Majestic Theatre added, courtesy of Arthur H. Lahote. Original source unknown.
The Majestic and Orpheum theatres both opened on February 3rd, 1908. Grand opening ad posted.
The Majestic theater, which had been closed in 1935, underwent a transformation and emerged anew as the Rio on November 4th, 1938, thanks to the efforts of Wilmer & Vincent Corp.
My blog may have been removed somehow. I have not posted for years.
We might add here that the Rio is not only closed, it’s demolished.
The Rio Theatre closed for the summer on June 10, 1954 reopening that September. But a month after reopening, the theatre closed permanently with a double feature of “Coroner Creek” and “Gunfighters” on October 25, 1954. Operator Edward Herre was having the former Rife Hotel demolished next door and decided to take down the Rio, as well. That demolition by Hanover Construction began in December of 1954 and was completed in 1955.