Winslow Theater
115 N. Kinsley Avenue,
Winslow,
AZ
86047
115 N. Kinsley Avenue,
Winslow,
AZ
86047
1 person
favorited this theater
Related Websites
Winslow Theater (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Harry L. Nace Theatres
Architects: Hugh E. Gilbert
Functions: Movies (First Run)
Styles: Art Deco
Previous Names: Rialto Theatre
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
928.289.1000
Nearby Theaters
The Rialto Theatre opened July 12, 1927 with 626 seats. It presented movies along with live stage acts. It was owned by the Nace/Rickards chain. It had a Meisel & Sullivan pipe organ which was still occasionally used until 1950’s.
There was a major fire in the theatre about 1955 and theatre underwent major remodelling and operated sporadically until it suddenly closed on January 31, 1996 when the final movie was Pauly Shore in “Bio-Dome”. It sat boarded up with its marquee removed until around 2005 when Allen Afeldt who owns the La Posada historic hotel in Winslow bought it and reopened it as the Winslow Theater.
Presently showing first run films and plans to eventually add live music performances and community activities.
Contributed by
Don Story
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Recent comments (view all 29 comments)
that is to bad!!!!!!!!!!!! SOMEONE BUY HIS PLACE!!11
Did the theater close? The employee wrote here that it would be closing in January 2008. It’s still listed as open on this page, though, so wondering if there’s an update.
I plan on doing a special on Winslow and the “Winslow Theatre” is part of that. I know a former worker that was there for a few years back in the 70s. He would have good insight on it I think. I remember him telling me of the history of that place. Right now I am looking for an old picture of the old “Rialto” marquis. I want it to re-create what was there accurately to be used on film.
It really is truly a fascinating building. There are dressing rooms below the sitting area from what I was told. Im not sure how much was destroyed by the fire of the 50’s. I hope they have some character left from the early days.
Anyway, I will produce this and I hope to get this on a national syndicated network.
Zane Watts
This is great! Thanks for links to these pictures! It helps me tremendously!
To see what I made from this, see:
http://thunder-mountain.net/rialto2.jpg
Thank you Lost Memory and Chuck1231
Zane
Phone number listed above is inactive and i found this real estate link (not sure if it’s still valid):
View link
“Historic Rialto Theater is now on the market. Once a 1927 Art Deco Vaulderville theater and now a modern first run movie theater that has been completely remodeled with the help of grant monies from the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. Rare opportunity to own a historic building in revitalized downtown Winslow and make a good profit, room for additional income streams with separate rentable/useable space for ice cream shop, stage shows and club acts. Home of the Winslow Film Festival, held in October for four days. This property is priced to sell under current market conditions.
Take Route 66 going east to Kinsley and turn right"
I guess no one at loopnet remembers vaudeville. They probably thought it was some kind of architectural style.
ok guys, I have a question..a friend, who was raised in winslow in the 20’s, left me a deck of cards with silent movie star pictures in a hammered copper “sleeve” with an American indian “badge” and printed winslow Arizona..I assume she got it as a kid in this theater. any ideas on who might want this piece of history?
athena – If you still have the deck of cards, I would be interested in owning them. Also, the Winslow Theatre is once again in danger of closing.
I haven’t dug too deeply into the old Rialto’s opening and closing dates. In 1985, it was apparently closed seasonally while the Tonto Drive-In was operating; the Sept. 11, 1985 ad for the Tonto noted “Rialto opens Friday (13).” Since the Tonto never reopened, the Rialto might have kept going all year. A spot check in the summer of 1988 showed the “Blair Rialto” advertising summer matinees. Here’s probably the end.
Winslow Mail, Feb. 7, 1996: “BioDome was the last movie to be shown at Winslow Rialto Theatre, prior to its closing on Jan. 31. Employees were surprised when the showed up to work on Wednesday to find the marquee taken down, equipment removed and their jobs eliminated.”