River Hills/Riviera Twin
222 Crocker Street,
Des Moines,
IA
50309
222 Crocker Street,
Des Moines,
IA
50309
2 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Carmike Cinemas
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Mar 31, 2013 — "2001: A Space Odyssey" 45th Anniversary – The Cinerama Engagements
- May 23, 2012 — Celebrating the Original STAR WARS on its 35th Anniversary
- May 21, 2010 — Happy 30th, "Empire"
- Aug 21, 2009 — "Alien" 30th Anniversary
- Apr 9, 2009 — Remembering Cinerama (Part 26: Des Moines)
- May 25, 2007 — Happy 30th, Star Wars!
The River Hills/Riviera Twin is a rare example of two theaters, in the same building, which operated under different names; and not as a twin.
The River Hills side was designed to show single-strip Cinerama films and the Riviera Twin side was designed to show regular movies in a twin configuration.
The theaters were built by the former Davis Theatres at the same time as the Riviera Theatre in Sioux City.
Sadly, the River Hills/Riviera Twin was closed by Carmike Cinemas. It was demolished in March 2002.
Contributed by
Mike Geater
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 18 comments)
River Hills is famous for being the host venue for the Des Moines area exclusive booking of the original “Star Wars.” The movie ran for 29 weeks in the River Hills auditorium (May 27-Dec. 13, 1977), and then when replaced by “Close Encounters Of The Third Kind” it moved to the Riviera auditorium, where it ran for another 27 weeks. The combined 56-week run is, I believe, second only to the 113-week roadshow run of “The Sound Of Music” (at the Capri) as the longest-running movie in Des Moines exhibition history.
The Cinerama exhibition history in Des Moines posted here.
As mentioned earlier, the Wells Fargo Arena now stands where the River Hills/Rivera Twin used to be.
This theater should be changed to closed/demolished
Newspaper ad from the Des Moines Register, May 27,1977
“Begins Tonight! Star Wars. Star Wars will presented with DOLBY SOUND a special new sound system that the River Hills has installed that will astound your mind with the ULTIMATE QUAD SYSTEM. Adults $3.00, Children under 12 $1.25”
Playing at the Riviera Twin- The Godfather and The Godfather Part II.
Ads for films playing at the theatre – http://cineramahistory.com/riverhills.htm
I use to work there back in the mid to late 70’s! Great memories of when movies ran…for a YEAR! Like Star Wars. I remember the 1 year anniversary. We employees got dressed up like the characters.
It may have shown a Cinerama film, but it would have been a single strip print. This theater was not built for the full 3-projector setup. The curved screen was also not deep enough for the full 146º wrap around image. It is not only closed, but sadly, it was torn down years ago to make room for an arena.
Demolished March 2002.
The “Hills” opened with JJ3 Centurys with Futura II lamphouses. Century 6 track system, 300 watts. Screen was 88 feet with 22 foot depth of the curve providing a 72 foot chord. Screen remaine din place until closing. Sound system was upgraded to CP200 with all accessories driving BGW 250D amplifiers bi-amped with BGW 750D’s driving former Sensurround subwoofers. All stage drivers converted to JBL with 8 Altec A-7 surrounds. Platter sintalled with Strong Super 80 burning 6K bulb. New custom ground Isco lenses replace original Cinerama lens. Riviera side ultimately received the #2 Century JJ3 with CP100 to allow for 70MM move over from the Hills.