Older movie theaters with charm and visible history are becoming more difficult to find, but watching movies at such places is an experience well worth the trip. Luckily, Raleigh is home to the Rialto Theatre, a movie theater that has been in continuous operation since 1942 and one that has kept up with the times in creative ways.
The Rialto Theatre converted to digital cinema in 2013 and has taken advantage of the vast movie selection by starting a Monday at the Movies series in 2016. Monday at the Movies has no general theme throughout the year, which allows them to show a range of classics to new blockbusters.
“The Rialto started showing the repertory movies nearly two years ago and they have been hugely popular,” said Jennifer Love, Rialto’s general manager. “We show classics like ‘Casablanca,’ ‘Rear Window’ and ‘Psycho’ to summer blockbusters like ‘E.T.,’ ‘Pulp Fiction’ and ‘Jaws,’ to musicals such as ‘GiGi’ and ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and foreign films — ‘City of Lost Children’ and ‘Amelie’ — a little bit of everything for everybody.”
This December, the theater has planned holiday classics for Monday at the Movies. “It’s a Wonderful Life” will be shown on Dec. 18 at 7 p.m.
“I think the Rialto, being the last of its kind and a rare one-house theatre, with a friendly, experienced staff and lots of charm, helps create part of the magic of coming here to see a film,” Love said. “During the holidays, it is even more special as it brings everyone together for a hopefully, memorable evening of entertainment out.”
Another big event for the Rialto Theatre is “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” put on the first and third Friday of each month at midnight. This event has become a tradition for some State students and clubs. The NC State Club Swim team makes a yearly trip to the event and Ryan Reeb, a third-year studying aerospace engineering and member of the club swim team, attended the group event last season.
“It was the perfect place to stage a wild Halloween event,” Reeb said.
Located on Glenwood Avenue, the 432-seat theater may look unassuming on the outside, but speaks of a rich history once the doors open. A&P was a popular grocery store chain in 1936 and Rialto Theatre began its journey as the largest A&P store at the time. In 1942, the store was reconstructed into a one-house movie theater named The Colony Theater. A large renovation and renaming in 1983 gave the theater its current name.
“Rialto’s main goal is to preserve and operate the historic theatre by providing significant film and programming for our community,” Love said. “The history of the Five Points neighborhood and the history of the theater contributes to that unique experience.”
