Rialto Theater

Joe Vogel on April 23, 2024 at 12:50 am

The Rialto was on the site of an earlier house called the Coliseum Theatre, which was either remodeled to become the Rialto in 1919 or completely replaced in 1920, or perhaps both. Here is an item from the July 16, 1919 issue of Moving Picture World:“The old Coliseum Theatre, Mount Oliver, formerly owned by Fred Herrington and which was recently taken over by the Weiland interests, will be renamed when the house is reopened, the name chosen being the Rialto. Extensive improvements are being made, including a new front, repainting and redecorating, etc.”

Only a bit over a year later, the September 18, 1920 issue of MPW had this item which seems to imply that the Rialto was of new construction: “The new Rialto Theatre on Mt. Oliver, Pittsburgh, another Weiland house, is rapidly nearing completion and present indications are that it will be ready for opening about the first of October. The organ, one of the finest in Pittsburgh, is now being installed.”