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The Rialto Theatre :: Aitkin, MNThe Rialto theatre began life in 1914 as the Moveum Theatre. In 1934, the name was changed through a contest to the Rialto Theatre. The Rialto was a description once given to the theatre district in New York City. Soon after the theatre's name changed to the Rialto, the theatre's owner, Charles Lyon, decided to have a new building built. Several frame buildings and a brick service station were moved to other parts of town to clear the location. On April 30, 1937, the Grand Opening of the new Rialto was celebrated. The two-story building was designed in the Art Deco style of the period — its façade was of polished granite and cut stone, with Vitrolite detail. On the second story, the theatre's owners resided in spacious living quarters. The theatre originally had seating for 612. In the 50s, some seats were removed to accommodate the new wide-screen that was installed and the theatre now holds 480 people. The Rialto's crying room, where parents could bring unhappy children while still being able to watch the movie without disturbing fellow movie-goers, was unique at the time. Over the decades, some modifications have been made for reasons of practicality or taste, but the original decor remains apparent and the current owner plans to keep it that way.
(photo: Tim O'Toole)
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