Rivoli Theatre
117 N. 4th Street,
La Crosse,
WI
54601
117 N. 4th Street,
La Crosse,
WI
54601
4 people
favorited this theater
Showing 12 comments
The 2nd screen, the Screening Room opened on June 25th, 1999. Grand opening ad posted.
This closed in 1986 and reopened on April 15th, 1994. Another ad posted.
Grand opening ad:
Rivoli theatre opening Sat, Sep 18, 1920 – 1 · The La Crosse Tribune (La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
A recent photo of the theater can be seen here https://www.flickr.com/photos/139006479@N05/42862546474/in/pool-82838546@N00/
The Rivoli, originally a single-floor theater with a small stage, was expanded with a balcony and larger stage to accommodate road shows in 1926, according to this article from The Moving Picture World of April 10 that year:
The Rivoli, La Crosse’s well-known downtown theatre, had its grand opening on September 19, 1920. The Rivoli’s sister theater, the Riviera, opened one month later at 1207-1215 Caledonia St. Both were designed by the La Crosse architectural firm of Parkinson & Dockendorff with interiors designed by Odin Oyen of La Crosse. Each had its own management: the Rivoli by the La Crosse Theater Co., the Riviera by the Cooper Amusement Co.
here’s some of the movies i saw at the rivoli in ‘50’s and '60’s: red skys over montana,> journey to the seventh planet,> the seventh voyage of sinbad,> baby, the rain must fall (steve mcqueen),> who’s afraid of virginia woolf? (liz taylor and richard burton),>the graduate (dustin hoffman),> blow up (david hemmings),> goodbye columbus,> the prime of miss jean brody,> the lion in winter (katherine hepburn), to sir with love (sidney poitier and lulu),> alfie (michael caine),>georgie girl,> having a wild weekend (the dave clark 5),>far from the madding crowd ( terrance stamp),> joanna (michael sarne, director),> bullitt (steve mcqueen),> butch cassidy and the sundance kid ( paul newman, robt redford),> bigfoot (starring bigfoot), >barbarella (jane fonda),> rosemary’s baby (mia farrow, john cassevettes), harold and maud (ruth gordon, bud cort),> and the worst movie i have ever seen: ilsa, she wolf of the SS (starring nobody you ever heard of)
I see that back in ‘04, right wingers were bent at the theatre posting a political sign. Chill out.
I’d attend a cinema even if they had a “Tea Party” sign out front. But then I support Free speech, even speech I disagree with.
There is a listing for the Rivoli in this 1922 issue of the La Crosse Tribune:
http://tinyurl.com/yg9auu
Doug Holtz,
Do you live in Lacrosse? We are trying to find some history and possible old pictures of the Rivoli. Any ideas on sources in Lacrosse to check?
Thanks, Parker
Indeed, the political signage amounted to one sign in the former ticket booth, not exactly offensive as might have been inferred from the previous comment. Anyway, the upkeep does need to be improved and the restrooms are in dire need of repair and renovation. With some care and renovation, this theater could become the Spanish palace it originally was.
The Rivoli openly supports Democratic political candiates, and evenly is tacky enough to hang their political signage in the front lobby.
Republicans might want to choose another theater.
Why a business would want to alienate 40% of the voter pool in an effort to influence the undeiced/independent 20% is beyond me. Speaks heavily on the attitude of the management, and their negligent upkeeping that is leading the theater into a slow deteriating demise.