Rialto Theatre

The Orpheum Theatre opened in 1911. In 1920, it became the long-running Rialto Theatre and was altered in 1921 to the plans of architect John B. Harmon. The biggest hit by far at the Rialto Theatre was “Gone With the Wind” which played more than a year from 1940 and into 1941 (see photo).

The Rialto Theatre’s owner, William H. Humphries, built the Miller Theatre opening in 1949. In the TV age, the Rialto Theatre struggled and went out of business in 1952 with the Miller Theatre continuing into the 21st Century. Now demolished, visitors to the site of the Rialto Theatre can see a mural depicting the Rialto Theatre, Miller Theatre, and the other three Lewistown cinemas (Temple Theatre, Pastime Theatre, and Embassy Theatre).

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Joe Vogel on September 29, 2016 at 7:35 am

The July 9, 1921, issue of The Moving Picture World said that Joseph Shverha planned to enlarge and improve his theater at Lewistown:

“LEWISTOWN, PA.— Joseph M. Shverha has plans by John B. Harmon, 48 North Queen street, Lancaster, for interior alterations and an addition, 8 by 25 feet, to one-story moving picture theatre, to cost $25,000.”

The July 9 issue of the same publication noted that Joseph Shverha, or the Rialto Theatre, Lewistown, was among the Pennsylvania exhibitors attending a recent convention in Minneapolis.