Rialto Theatre
10134 101 Street NW,
Edmonton,
AB
T5J
10134 101 Street NW,
Edmonton,
AB
T5J
2 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Odeon Theatres (Canada) Ltd.
Architects: John Rule, Peter Rule, Gordon Wynn
Firms: Rule, Wynn & Rule
Previous Names: New Bijou Theatre, Hippodrome Theatre
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News About This Theater
- Dec 9, 2012 — Happy 50th, “Lawrence of Arabia”
- Jun 18, 2010 — "Jaws"... Happy 35th!
- May 14, 2010 — Please Post Today, May 14 --- "Jaws," Happy 35th
Opened as the New Bijou Theatre on October 22, 1910. On October 1, 1917 it was renamed Hippodrome Theatre, which closed in 1918. On April 30, 1921 it reopened as the Rialto Theatre. In 1938 it was remodeled to the plans of architectural firm Rule, Wynn, Rule with a seating capacity for 1,200. By 1952 it was operated by Odeon Theatres (Canada) Ltd. It was renovated on July 4, 1960. It was twinned on June 7, 1974. As a twin, the seating given in 1980 was 560 and 390. It was closed around 1987.
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Lost Memory
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Recent comments (view all 6 comments)
Edmonton writer Lawrence Herzog says in the final paragraph of this post that the Rialto Theatre was demolished in 1987. I’ve been unable to find the opening year for the house, but a capsule review of a book titled “The Rule, Wynn and Rule Architectural Drawings” says that the firm designed the Rialto. Rule, Wynn, Rule also did a remodeling of the Roxy Theatre in Edmonton in 1955, and were the original architects of the Varscona Theatre (not yet listed) in the Old Strathcona district of the city.
Three articles by Lawrence Herzog mention the Rialto Theatre. The links to them on this web page are headed “Rialto Theatre – 10134 101 Street (opened as the New Bijou)” That’s the only mention of the New Bijou I can find, though Herzog mentions a house called the Bijou Theatre, in operation by 1910 at 10166 100 Street. Presumably the New Bijou at 10134 101 Street was its replacement, but Herzog doesn’t give the opening year for it.
This opened as the New Bijou on October 22nd, 1910 and renamed Hippodrome on October 1st, 1917 and closed in 1918. Reopened on April 30th, 1921 as Rialto. more to come.
Grand Opening as Rialto 1 & Rialto 2 was on June 7, 1974. Image and description added courtesy Stephen Leigh.
“Oliver Reed, Raquel Welch and Charlton Heston in Richard Lester’s "The Three Musketeers” and George C. Scott and Trish Van Devere in Mike Nichols' “The Day of the Dolphin” open at the newly twinned Rialto Theatre in Edmonton, Alberta."
Additional history courtesy Stephen Leigh. (Images added)
“Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine and Fred MacMurray in Billy Wilder’s "The Apartment” opens July 4, 1960 at the newly-renovated Rialto Theatre in Edmonton.
The interior of the building has been entirely rebuilt and renovated.
New pillow seats have been installed and are spaced to provide ample leg room.
A new 40x20 foot screen replaces the old 14x28 foot screen which will allow for the presentation of Todd AO and other 70 MM wide screen productions.
The new equipment carries six stereophonic sound tracks replacing the four for 35 MM pictures.
Cost of renovations and equipment totals $200,000.
Lillian Wilke will manage the New Rialto Theatre, Edmonton’s Most Beautiful Theatre."
Images added. Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins in Randall Kleiser’s “The Blue Lagoon” opens on July 18, 1980 at the Rialto 1 Theatre and the Meadowlark Cinema in Edmonton… and the controversy follows. Courtesy Stephen Leigh.