Star Cinema Grill River Oaks

2009 W. Gray Street,
Houston, TX 77019

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River Oaks Theater (Official)

Additional Info

Operated by: Star Cinema Grill

Previously operated by: Interstate Theatres Inc. & Texas Consolidated Theaters Inc., Landmark Theatres (USA)

Architects: H. F. Pettigrew, John A. Worley

Firms: Pettigrew & Worley

Functions: Movies (First Run)

Styles: Streamline Moderne

Previous Names: River Oaks Theatre

Nearby Theaters

News About This Theater

main auditorium

The last of the deluxe neighborhood theatres. It was soon taken over by Interstate Theatres Inc., headed by Karl Hoblitzelle & Bob O'Donnell.

The theatre opened on November 28, 1939 with Ginger Rogers in “Batchelor Mother” and was one of a number of deluxe neighborhood theatres built and operated by Interstate Theatres Inc. Seating was provided in orchestra and balcony levels. The interior decorations were by Buck Winn.

The building has an excellent location in the upscale River Oaks shopping center. Landmark Theatres did a good job maintaining the property.

I just wish they had not triplexed the building on May 16, 1986. But it was one of Houston’s last true movie palaces. Sadly closed on March 25, 2021 due to a failure to come to an agreement on the rent with the landlord.

In February 2022 it was taken over by Star Cinema Grill, to be reopened ‘soon’. Renovations are continuing in February 2024.

Contributed by Stan Gilmore

Recent comments (view all 55 comments)

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on March 6, 2021 at 6:38 am

Current article about the risk of closure.

https://www.mysanantonio.com/culture/arts/article/Don-t-go-River-Oaks-Theater-Houston-Linklater-16004102.php?fbclid=IwAR3PnePK6hCdsDB7YqNXWEajCq6-RIrDCxMwUfnB3KqlnYRttJV7OS1y4WU

MCompton
MCompton on March 21, 2021 at 5:48 pm

It’s closing. https://preview.houstonchronicle.com/movies-tv/weingarten-realty-says-the-river-oaks-theatre-16039852

dallasmovietheaters
dallasmovietheaters on March 25, 2021 at 8:22 am

Landmark closed the River Oaks closed on March 25, 2021 with Oscar contenders, “Minari,” “The Father,” and “Nomadland.”

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on April 10, 2021 at 4:19 pm

River Oaks Theatre mentioned in this article.

https://www.indiewire.com/2021/04/arclight-eviction-notice-regal-landlords-theater-battles-1234628381/?fbclid=IwAR0vv0hCOECyo2zIAuAVrjiHRrDtGZx1KhDf-1WWztGXAWIJFe4GLmB26jw

djsoffar
djsoffar on May 14, 2021 at 2:12 am

Does anyone have a picture of the interior of one of the upstairs auditoriums? I took pictures of most everything else, but missed that and now it is too late.

RyanToDaF2044
RyanToDaF2044 on May 18, 2021 at 12:58 pm

RIP. The only movie I ever saw at this theater was a screening of The Room (2003). I wonder if there are any similar theaters still open?

JackCoursey
JackCoursey on June 20, 2021 at 9:45 pm

The River Oaks was one of those rare cinemas, like the Garden Hills in Atlanta, which you would assume that as long as there was a market for art and foreign films that it would always be around. Regretfully such fare is no longer palatable for those prefer all major character’s don capes and that dialogue is kept to a minimum. Art cinemas were a class unto themselves, the perfect frame for a perfect picture. Felini, Bergman, Cohen brothers and Wes Anderson are served better in venues such as the River Oaks than at the mall with yet another Batman remake playing next door.

RyanToDaF2044
RyanToDaF2044 on June 29, 2021 at 3:22 pm

Gone but never forgotten.

RyanToDaF2044
RyanToDaF2044 on February 2, 2022 at 5:39 pm

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle/article/Exclusive-Star-Cinema-Grill-to-reopen-River-Oaks-16826710.php

rivest266
rivest266 on January 25, 2024 at 10:59 am

May 16th, 1986, grand reopening ad as a 3-plex posted. Under construction as of last december. New official website at https://riveroakstheater.com/.

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