I have very mixed feelings about the rialto. They occasionally show silent films with live accompanment, and getting to see classics on the big screen is fabulous. The restoration is great -- the theater looks awesome.
I've seen several films there -- however, I should say, I've seen dvds there (they used to have 35 mm, but I think they've abandonded that) and they look OK and they sound OK -- but not the quality that I've come to expect from modern movie theaters.
But...
The last movie I saw there, King Kong, was shown on VHS (believe it or not) -- which doesn't look so hot blown up for a 25 foot screen. Frankly it was embarassingly bad -- and I will certainly call before making the 30 minute drive again.
On a more positive note -- if you ever get the chance to see King Kong on the big screen -- GO!
Evan.
-------------- Original message --------------
> Very true, Danny
>
> The Rialto Theater is in Loveland, Colorado. I was wrong, this was the 85th
> celebration.
>
> Here is the city's main page on the Rialto:
> http://www.ci.loveland.co.us/rialto/rialto.htm
>
> The Rialto is a success story for theater restoration. Ted and Mabel
> Thompson, as a young married couple, were sent to open up the Rialto in
> 1920. It was equipped for films and minor vaudeville. The Thompsons became
> stalwarts of the Loveland community, with Ted serving as Mayor of Loveland,
> building "The Dude Corral" motel and restaurant across from Lake Loveland
> and providing heart and heritage for the community. They are best
> remembered outside of Colorado as Loveland's Sweethearts, who started
> Lovelan! d's Valentine re-mailing program in 1947.
>
> The Rialto went through many of the cycles of small theaters, eventually
> ending up with a plastic or vinyl fa�ade in the 1960s in an attempt to look
> modern. I remember seeing the lobby cards for the original Stepford wives
> there in the lobby while a scant crowd waited dutifully for popcorn and
> Cokes.
>
> One owner turned it into a mini-mall which failed economically. Still, under
> the plastic? Vinyl? Fa�ade, the original existed and could be restored. It
> was then ripped up inside and left until Felicia Harmon, of the then
> Downtown Development Agency, made it her mission to make the Rialto a
> vibrant, restored magnet for downtown. It took considerable political skill
> on her part for the City of Loveland to agree to buy the building and many,
> many donations and grants to get it restored.
>
> It was rest! ored and is now a well-used and loved performing arts space in
> ; addition to showing movies, often with an orchestra. Felicia is now a
> consultant with the KRH Group which has helped to restore several historic
> theaters and other treasures.
>
> The history page on the site:
>
> http://www.ci.loveland.co.us/rialto/history.htm
>
> The Museum is the Loveland Museum & Gallery, which has a sort of split
> mission - honoring the history and heritage of Loveland and as promoter of
> our considerable community of artists. Here's that page:
>
> http://www.ci.loveland.co.us/Cultural_Services/cultural_services_museum.htm
>
> Loveland is best known artistically for its several big sculpture shows.
> Currently in the museum is the Colorado Governor's Art Show (14th Annual, I
> believe.)
>
> Link to our big annual sculpture show: http://www.sculptureinthepark.org/
>
> Colorado State University, in Fort Col! lins, has several renowned professors
> who make fine art posters and for thirteen years hosted the only
> international poster art show in the U.S. They discontinued last year, I
> think because Bob Coonts retired from the program, but they have a great
> digital archive.
>
> CSU also hosts a yearly workshop in theater organ playing on the 3/19
> Wurlitzer at the Lory Student Center.
>
> Thanks for asking, Danny.
>
> Cindy
>
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