State Theatre
117 N. Bridge Street,
Smithville,
MO
64089
117 N. Bridge Street,
Smithville,
MO
64089
No one has favorited this theater yet
Showing 3 comments
I just looked at newspaper archives, and I think you twisted up with the name history. This actually first started life as the Auditorium, before new management by Edna Hartmann took over, which changed the theater’s name to Rialto Theatre on September 14, 1934, following remodeling, RCA High Fidelity sound, and an updated screen, the “new Rialto” relaunched with Clark Gable in “Chained” and Laurel & Hardy in “Going Bye-Bye”.
The Rialto was renamed the State Theatre on December 19, 1947 following new management led by Mr. and Mrs. Don Cotter. This also includes another remodel which led to a 10-day closure. It was closed in March 1957.
According to the NRHP listing for downtown, this was built about 1910 as the State. Correct address is 117.
Clearly opened earlier. The theater is on the 1920 Sanborn, when Bridge St was also known as Water. For some stupid reason, I took a picture of the building next door, but not this one. It is currently an antique store.