Rialto Theatre
114 First Avenue E,
Newton,
IA
50208
114 First Avenue E,
Newton,
IA
50208
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Paramount Pictures Inc.
Functions: Office Space
Nearby Theaters
The Rialto Theatre was built in 1917. It was operated by A.H. Blank who later became a subsidiary of Paramount Pictures Inc. It was closed in 1954.
Contributed by
Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 3 comments)
The Rialto Theatre at Newton, Iowa was mentioned in the August 17, 1918 issue of Moving Picture World.
The Rialto Theatre occupied the Clarkson Building, 114-118 First Avenue East, with its entrance in the building’s central bay at 116 First. The building, which is a contributing element in the Newton Downtown Historic District, is the subject of an Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs inventory form (PDF here.)
The building was erected in 1917, though the document inconsistently says the Rialto operated from 1916. No explanation is given for this. However, the document does say that the Rialto was operated by the A. H. Blank Company, and that its co-owner was George P. Hundling, who opened the Capitol Theatre with the Blank company in 1927. The Rialto was closed intermittently for a few years, then reopened full time in 1934 as the circuit’s “B” house in Newton, showing second run films and cowboy movies. It continued in operation until 1954 and has since been used as office or retail space, and is currently office space for a chartable organization.
I have uploaded a photo from the State of Iowa Site Inventory.