I found the last ad for this theater. It appeared in the March 6, 1969 edition of the Palacios Beacon. On Friday the 7th and Saturday the 8th, “Last of the Renegades” and an unnamed second feature were slated to show.
I found the opening day ad for the triplexed Plaza Theatre. The grand opening day was actually a year later – June 26, 1974. The three premier features were “American Graffiti” (Plaza I), “Sugar Hill” with Marki Bey (Plaza II), and “The Way We Were” with Robert Redford and Barbra Streisand (Plaza III).
Drivein101 has the correct date. The premier features were “Reaching from Heaven” with Hugh Beaumont and Cheryl Walker and “Saddle Tramp” with Joel McCrea and Wanda Hendrix.
The Port Drive-In frequently advertised in the Victoria Advocate newspaper. The last ad I found for it was dated September 23, 1975. Would this have been the closing date? If so, the Port’s closure would have been a one-two punch for area moviegoers with the loss of the El Rancho Theatre in Victoria just a few days prior.
I found the opening day information for the original 1935 Rio. It opened on Easter Sunday, April 21, 1935. The premier feature was “It Happened One Night” with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert. The original Rio was located in the Vineyard Building on the corner of Milam Street and Richmond Road. That building was demolished in December 1991.
The Starlite is still for sale, but a different realty firm is involved. It’s listed with Searchers Realty (phone (979)830-5200). The first thing I thought of upon seeing the new signs was “The Searchers” with John Wayne.
Found more information on this theater. The demolition occurred on June 10, 2009. A portion of a Wallis News-Review article read, “A piece of Wallis history literally bit the dust last week. The building that housed the Cole Theater, Uncle Ed’s Place and Marvin’s was demolished Wednesday. Work is progressing by Hein Contracting towards a complete cleanup of the lots located on State Highway 36 between Highway 60 and FM 1093.
A spokesman for the building owners stated that the buildings had fallen into such a state of disrepair that demolition was the only option. It is hoped that a cleanup of the property will offer opportunities for new business in the center of town.”
The Rialto is being saved, but not as a theater. According to a San Antonio Express News article, the building is being remodeled into offices and living areas. Houston developer Walter Chance purchased the building.
From the Victoria Advocate, February 16, 1972 – Several changes in management were announced Tuesday by Rubin S. Frels, president and general manager of Frels Theatres, Inc. Irving Cohn, who has been manager of the Playhouse since it opened in 1966, was named circuit supervisor of concessions for the 12 South Texas theaters in the Frels group. Cohn will work out of the general offices at 210 E. Constitution. He has 20 years experience in theater work. Mac Range, assistant manager at the Playhouse the past year, has been promoted to manager. He joined Frels three years ago, coming to Victoria from Gloucester, Mass., where he was employed by the C.B. Fisk Co. He is a native of Dallas.
The Winchester ‘73 movie is from summer 1950.
The Plainsman movie is from late 1936.
These movies are from 1948-49.
The Foolin' Around movie was released just before Christmas 1980. Photo above likely taken in winter or spring 1981.
The Elvis movie advertised to the right is “Frankie and Johnny.”
Hallelujah Trail is a 1965 American Western comedy/spoof movie.
The Outcasts of Poker Flat is a 1937 American Western film.
The movie is “Cross Country Cruise” from 1934.
“Tulsa” movie from 1949.
Movie from 1955.
The film is “All the Young Men.” Photo taken Christmastime 1960.
This building is now being used as a church. The Grace Point Community Church meets here.
I found the last ad for this theater. It appeared in the March 6, 1969 edition of the Palacios Beacon. On Friday the 7th and Saturday the 8th, “Last of the Renegades” and an unnamed second feature were slated to show.
I found the opening day ad for the triplexed Plaza Theatre. The grand opening day was actually a year later – June 26, 1974. The three premier features were “American Graffiti” (Plaza I), “Sugar Hill” with Marki Bey (Plaza II), and “The Way We Were” with Robert Redford and Barbra Streisand (Plaza III).
Drivein101 has the correct date. The premier features were “Reaching from Heaven” with Hugh Beaumont and Cheryl Walker and “Saddle Tramp” with Joel McCrea and Wanda Hendrix.
The Port Drive-In frequently advertised in the Victoria Advocate newspaper. The last ad I found for it was dated September 23, 1975. Would this have been the closing date? If so, the Port’s closure would have been a one-two punch for area moviegoers with the loss of the El Rancho Theatre in Victoria just a few days prior.
I found the opening day information for the original 1935 Rio. It opened on Easter Sunday, April 21, 1935. The premier feature was “It Happened One Night” with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert. The original Rio was located in the Vineyard Building on the corner of Milam Street and Richmond Road. That building was demolished in December 1991.
The Starlite is still for sale, but a different realty firm is involved. It’s listed with Searchers Realty (phone (979)830-5200). The first thing I thought of upon seeing the new signs was “The Searchers” with John Wayne.
Photos can be seen here: http://www.wallisnews.com/page/59
Found more information on this theater. The demolition occurred on June 10, 2009. A portion of a Wallis News-Review article read, “A piece of Wallis history literally bit the dust last week. The building that housed the Cole Theater, Uncle Ed’s Place and Marvin’s was demolished Wednesday. Work is progressing by Hein Contracting towards a complete cleanup of the lots located on State Highway 36 between Highway 60 and FM 1093. A spokesman for the building owners stated that the buildings had fallen into such a state of disrepair that demolition was the only option. It is hoped that a cleanup of the property will offer opportunities for new business in the center of town.”
It appears that this must be updated to “demolished.” According to the September 2013 Google Street View, the building is no longer standing.
In this link, photos 16 and 17 show the interior work being done on the Rialto.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/What-wealth-buys-4303665.php#photo-4229776
I saw “for sale” signs on this theater. Did the revival effort fall through?
The Rialto is being saved, but not as a theater. According to a San Antonio Express News article, the building is being remodeled into offices and living areas. Houston developer Walter Chance purchased the building.
From the Victoria Advocate, February 16, 1972 – Several changes in management were announced Tuesday by Rubin S. Frels, president and general manager of Frels Theatres, Inc. Irving Cohn, who has been manager of the Playhouse since it opened in 1966, was named circuit supervisor of concessions for the 12 South Texas theaters in the Frels group. Cohn will work out of the general offices at 210 E. Constitution. He has 20 years experience in theater work. Mac Range, assistant manager at the Playhouse the past year, has been promoted to manager. He joined Frels three years ago, coming to Victoria from Gloucester, Mass., where he was employed by the C.B. Fisk Co. He is a native of Dallas.