Rialto Theatre
400 Cherokee Street,
Kingsport,
TN
37660
400 Cherokee Street,
Kingsport,
TN
37660
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Originally opened in 1939, the Rialto Theatre became the second and third run science fiction movies theatre in the late-1950’s. By then it was showing its age and getting tattered. Because it was near the somewhat skid row ‘five points’ intersection and neighborhood, it had a seedy reputation.
It closed as a movie theatre in 1961 or 1962. The auditorium was gutted and converted into a billiard parlour. Apartments were built over the parlour, and a restaurant operated out of the lobby. The marquee was still used to advertise the restaurant.
In the 1960’s, a gas explosion in the basement damaged the structure and it was closed. It was demolished around 1968.
Contributed by
Jack Coursey, Bruce Gentry
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Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
Here is an ad for a rather exotic film showing at the Rialto on 1/23/38:
RIALTO THEATRE – Monday Only
For the first time on any screen … the horrifying, blood-chilling
rites of the savage PENITENTES, whose pagan idolatry forces
them to undergo self-torture and flagellation before they can reach
the apex of their sacrifices, crucifixion!
MAN HUNTERS OF THE CARIBBEAN
with ANDRE ROOSEVELT, CAPT. E ERSKINE LOCH
Any Seat – 10c and 20c – Any Time
Here is a December 1944 ad from the Kingsport Times:
http://tinyurl.com/2w25hs
Here is the January 1938 ad:
http://tinyurl.com/2lkyfr
These photos are circa 1951. Location given is Cherokee Street & New Street which Google maps as East New Street.
Photo1
Photo2
The description accompanying this 1946 photo of the Rialto and a neighboring store gives the theater’s address as 400 Cherokee Street. It also says that the buildings on this block have been demolished to make way for a parking lot.