Rio Theatre
271 Broadway,
Idaho Falls,
ID
83405
271 Broadway,
Idaho Falls,
ID
83405
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The Rio opened under the name of the Broadway in 1924 but was soon taken over by Fox West Coast and renamed the Fox. The 1934 Golden Jubilee edition of the Post-Register says that when Fox defaulted on their lease, its manager resumed the lease and reopened it in 1934 under the name of the Rio.
It was later operated by DeMordaunt and Drennan and finally by Carmike Cinemas who closed it in January of 2001.
A barbershop still operates near the entrance of the building. A few blocks away is the Colonial Theatre and the Centre Twin, the oldest theater in Idaho Falls.
Contributed by
Ron Pierce
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
Recent night photo at this link:
View link
What a great place, too bad it’s closed.
Seaating for the Rio Theatre is listed as 866.
Here is a 2006 photo of the Rio theater. It appears that this former theater is now a Destinations Inn or will become one shortly.
There were times that the Paramount on “A” street and the Rio on Broadway would compete in being the best theatres in town. In the middle 50’s, for a couple of years, the RIO had the lead in that exhibition race, but eventually, Fox Intermountain’s “Paramount” would reign supreme for the city.
1983 Photo
1984 Photo
Here is another 1984 photo.
On February 9, 2011 the Idaho Falls Arts Council (IFAC) announced the construction of an interactive visual arts learning center for youth in the Rio. Due to open in the summer of 2012, it will be called the ARTitorium on Broadway. The estimated cost will be $1.5 million. They reportedly have raised over $1 million, which was helped by a $285,000 grant from the Department of Education. Rio owner, Jeff Neiswaanger is giving IFAC a long-term rent-free lease. http://www.growidahofalls.org/content/media-advisory-press-conference-wednesday-february-9-200