Rialto Theater
272 Broadway,
Monticello,
NY
12701
272 Broadway,
Monticello,
NY
12701
1 person
favorited this theater
The Rialto Theater in Monticello, New York opened around 1921. A Robert-Morton organ was installed that same year. This theater was demolished in 2003, except for the former lobby area and marquee.
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Lost Memory
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Recent comments (view all 15 comments)
Architect was Emil Motel, a Monticello architect.
“The Preservationist:
Sullivan County
Monticello: Rialto Theater
South Fallsburg: Rivoli Theater
Woodbourne: Center Theater
These three theaters represent one of the most important aspects of the early 20th century resort culture in the western Catskills. During the 1920s and 30s, enjoying a movie or a live performance in a village setting was one of the most popular recreational activities for summer visitors. These theaters, which accommodated both vaudeville shows and movies, drew large crowds six days a week. Emil Motel, a Monticello architect, designed both the Rialto (1921) and the Rivoli (1923). Their similar exterior designs are characteristic of early 20th century theaters.
The Rivoli, which was enlarged in the 1930s, is also distinguished by an entrance and new interior finishes in the Art Deco style, also the work of Motel. The Center Theater (1938) embodies a streamlined Art Deco mode popular for small movie houses in this period. Its designer, Abraham Okun, is credited with the designs of numerous distinguished buildings throughout the county. The Center also provides a link to Sullivan County’s significance in a more contemporary
cultural context; its lobby is decorated with the Woodstock Peace Painting, a large mural painted in the 1970s in the aftermath of the music festival.
This is the link where the above information comes from.
This is a view of Broadway, probably from the 1950s that shows the Rialto Theater.
Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001
Rialto Theatre (added 2001 – Building – #01000043)
Also known as Miller and Washington Block
Sullivan County – Broadway, Monticello
(less then 1 acres, 1 building)
Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Motel, Emil
Architectural Style: Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals
Area of Significance: Entertainment/Recreation, Architecture
Period of Significance: 1900-1924
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Museum
Current Function: Vacant/Not In Use
Here are some 1980s photos:
Photo1
Photo2
Photo3
This is a 2009 photo.
Passed the theater yesterday. Sad to see both the Broadway and the Rialto abandoned just waiting for the wrecker’s ball sometime in the future.
The Rialto’s auditorium is already down. Torn down about 10 years ago. Last time I drove around back, you could still see the aisles imbedded in the concrete where the auditorium once stood. The lobby building was saved for retail space.
My family used to vacation in Montecello each summer. One of my favorite things was the fact that the theaters upstate would show films that were then still playing on Broadway in NYC. I remember seeing “Guns of Navarone,” Sinatra in “Von Ryans Express” and “Cleopatra” at the Rialto, while it was still playing reserve-seat on Broadway. After the movie, there was a store a few stores away where I would purchase my beloved DC comic books.
Sorry to hear that this theater, like so many others, I attended is gone.
From the early 1960s a photo postcard view of the Rialto Theater in Monticello.