Rialto Cinemas Cerrito

10070 San Pablo Avenue,
El Cerrito, CA 94530

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Showing 1 - 25 of 30 comments

stevenj
stevenj on October 14, 2023 at 11:37 am

The 13th annual Albany Film Festival will be held at the Cerrito this year due to the nearby Albany Theatre’s closing earlier this year. Details … Here

Mikeyisirish
Mikeyisirish on June 27, 2012 at 8:00 am

A few 2012 photos can be seen here and here.

mehsmom
mehsmom on January 26, 2012 at 8:56 pm

Great theater! I love it’s Art Deco interior.

Scott Neff
Scott Neff on March 4, 2010 at 8:25 am

This is not being operated by Rennaisance Rialto. Rennaisance operates the Grand Lake and formerly the Park, Orinda and Oaks. Rialto Cinemas is a completely different guy.

scottfavareille
scottfavareille on July 6, 2009 at 10:07 am

Reopens on July 15th under the operation of Rennaisance Rialto (who operates the Elmwood in Berkeley). First attraction will be the new Harry Potter film. It sounds as if RR will be running first-run product here, unlike the Fischers.

Life's Too Short
Life's Too Short on June 15, 2009 at 12:26 pm

I don’t want to be a killjoy. But I’m not sure how much money is left in exhibition of foreign films. I’m sure DVDs, internet access, etc. have taken a bite out of that business as compared to what it was twenty years ago. There is definitely a solution, I’m just not sure what it is. Whatever the case I think the recent renovation means that the theatre is safe for a while.

scottfavareille
scottfavareille on May 20, 2009 at 8:03 am

(continued)
that shows Chinese/Hong Kong fare (there is a good Asian population there, and they can cross-market to nearby UC Berkeley as the theater is easily accessible by public transit).

scottfavareille
scottfavareille on May 20, 2009 at 8:01 am

Unfortunately, according to this mornings Contra Costa Times, the Cerrito Theater is now “closed indefinitely” as the Fischers have ran out of money. The Redevelopment Agency of El Cerrito pulled their lease recently as the Fischers have not paid their $10,000 a month rent on the theater for the last 18 months. (Their other theater, the Parkway in Oakland, shuttered in April due to financial issues & declining attendance.) They have blamed the shutdown on the economy, lack of access to first-run movies, increased construction costs, etc.

This is sad but me thinks that the best solution may be to try opoperating a theater

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on December 23, 2008 at 6:54 pm

The Cerrito opened in December 1937, according to Boxoffice magazine, at a cost of $150,000. The owner at the opening was the Blumenfield Theaters chain.

valvann
valvann on February 14, 2008 at 1:01 pm

The Cerrito restoration received a California Preservation Foundation 2007 Preservation Design Award:
http://www.californiapreservation.org

moviebear1
moviebear1 on October 30, 2006 at 7:47 pm

Anyone have any interior shots of the finished theatre to share?

gsmurph
gsmurph on October 24, 2006 at 10:13 am

Hence (and perhaps rather obviously), Cerito’s status will very soon need to be changed to “Open,” the number of screens changed to “Twin,” and the chain to “Speakeasy Theaters.” Presumably the seating capacity will also need changing, but the new capacity is uncertain (the site’s FAQ isn’t up as yet). But WHAT A VICTORY (especially in light of the loss of several beloved Bay Area theaters in recent months)!

Life's Too Short
Life's Too Short on October 22, 2006 at 2:29 pm

Sweet picture. The whole project blows my mind. This place sat for, what, forty years?

Life's Too Short
Life's Too Short on October 11, 2006 at 3:35 pm

Go to the “Friends” web site and take a look at the photographs of the replica vetical sign and attraction boards being installed. Outstanding!!!

gsmurph
gsmurph on August 14, 2006 at 8:25 am

Cerrito’s status should probably be changed to “Closed/Renovating,” as work is well underway to prepare it for its grand reopening!

sethleonard
sethleonard on May 9, 2006 at 9:47 am

Fans of Cerrito: I’m doing a school project focusing on the Cerrito Theater and am looking for people who might have the time to answer a couple brief email questions about the theater. I’m just trying to get as many perspectives on the theater as possible. If you’re interested, please email me at Thank you!

NativeForestHiller
NativeForestHiller on May 4, 2006 at 12:25 am

My heart goes out to all those involved in the incredible restoration of the Cerrito Theater!!! If only the same was happening at the moment to the Trylon Theater in Forest Hills, NY, which was intact, but is now undergoing profound alterations because of greed! The Cerrito restoration photos and plans do shed light on other theaters that can make a complete turn-around. Good luck!!!

  • Michael, Forest Hills, N.Y.
Life's Too Short
Life's Too Short on April 27, 2006 at 1:23 pm

The Cerrito is rising again.

To those involved in the renovation:

Well done!

scottfavareille
scottfavareille on September 19, 2005 at 11:10 am

There is a hearing at the El Cerrito City Council tonight with an update about the project (Contractor bids and will the city continue to help with the restoration.)

howell
howell on February 8, 2005 at 7:17 am

Those murals are pretty cool, along with that etched glass design. Hope you all have the best of times there.

gsmurph
gsmurph on September 19, 2004 at 10:20 am

Considering the tremendous progress that’s been made in the effort to revitalize the Cerrito, perhaps a more accurate status at this point should be “Closed/Renovating/Restoring.”

psmerd
psmerd on June 17, 2004 at 9:35 pm

William David was the architect of the Cerrito according to their web site at http://www.cerritotheater.org

edward
edward on April 21, 2004 at 6:16 pm

Doesn’t look like it’s in very good condition. The exterior has been completely stripped of a marquee and signage.