Riviera Theatre
1103 Hixson Pike,
Chattanooga,
TN
37405
1103 Hixson Pike,
Chattanooga,
TN
37405
1 person
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Additional Info
Firms: Martin & Franklin
Previous Names: New Riviera Theatre, Riviera Art Theatre, Rivervue Theatre, Riverview Theatre
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The Riviera Theatre was opened on August 29, 1935 with Shirley Temple in “The Little Colonel”. It was closed in 1958.
It reopened as an art house theatre on June 11, 1965, renamed New Riviera Theatre but this was short lived and despite a rename to Riviera Art Theatre, it closed again on October 8, 1965.
On October 16, 1970 it reopened as the New Riviera Theatre with “I am Curious Yellow”. On October 20, 1970 the theatre was raided by the vice squad. It reopened on July 7, 1973 as the Rivervue Theatre, screening adult movies. and the name was changed again in 1976 to Riverview Theatre until it finally closed in 1983.
Contributed by
Jack Coursey
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Recent comments (view all 7 comments)
i believe the Riviera Theater in North Chattanooga, screened in parallel with the Brainerd Theater. I remember one Sunday my dad and I (I was a kid) took a reel of “Halls of Montezuma” or “Red Skies of Montana” from the Brainerd to the Rivera and swapped a reel as each theater had two of the same reels and was missing one. That was like 55 years ago. (showing my age).
The Riviera and Brainerd Theatres were both originally operated by Independent Theatres. At the time the Brainerd was under construction, the December 20, 1947, issue of Boxoffice Magazine ran an item which said that the chain’s Riviera Theatre had been built “…several years ago.”
I can’t find an exact opening year for the Riviera. It might have been built pre-war, but the earliest reference to it I’ve found in Boxoffice is in the October 19, 1946, issue, when a series of seven foreign films were booked for the house.
In 1955, the Riviera was remodeled and reopened with an art film policy, according to the April 23 issue of Boxoffice that year.
The Riviera Theater opened in 1936. The first movie shown was “Anthony Adverse,” which I attended as a young child. The Riviera was the theater attended by all of the neighborhood children on Saturday afternoons of movies, cartoons, newsreels, and serials for nine cents plus a penny tax.
Actually, The Chattanooga Daily Times Reports That The Riviera Theatre Opened On August 29, 1935 At 2 P.M. EDT With Shirley Temple In “The Little Colonel”.
Grand opening ad:
Riviera Theatre opening 29 Aug 1935, Thu Chattanooga Daily Times (Chattanooga, Tennessee) Newspapers.com
August 29th, 1935: The Riviera Theatre first graced the stage, brought to life by Independent Theatres.
1958: Unfortunately, the curtains fell, and the Riviera Theatre closed its doors.
June 11th, 1965: A phoenix-like revival occurred! The theater reopened as the New Riviera, now dedicated to showcasing art movies.
October 8th, 1965: A name change ensued, and it became the Riviera Art.
Closed Again: Alas, the Riviera Art’s lights dimmed once more.
October 16th, 1970: A triumphant return! The theater emerged anew as the New Riviera (yes, again!). Its grand reopening featured the film “I am Curious (Yellow)”.
October 20th, 1970: But fate had other plans. The vice squad descended upon the New Riviera, casting a shadow over its vibrant screens.
More to come. Grand opening ads posted.
July 7th, 1973: Another transformation! The theater reemerged as Rivervue, now showcasing adult movies.
1976: Yet another name shift, this time to Riverveiw.
1983: The final curtain fell, and the theater closed its doors for good.