Another walk down memory lane this time with THE RIALTO THEATER.IT seems like yesterday to me that I was standing in line there buying a ticket to catch the latest film.The RIALTO stood at 2314 N.MAIN STREET BRIDGEPORT,CT.IN the very beginning this was called THE ELITE THEATER.This opened 1913.This was a single floor theater with about 728 seats.ON FEBRUARY 2ND-1924 was renamed THE RIALTO.The initial architect was CHARLES H.AMBROWITZof NEW HAVEN.AT one time there was another RIALTO in NEW HAVEN CT,but got destroyed by fire.IN 1925 numerous owners acquired the theater which had struggled to keep going.IN 1927 THE STRAND AMUSEMENT COMPANY who owned four other movie houses took on-the RIALTO.AT this point it got sound and a makeover.After many years it came to a tragic end destroyed by a major fire it was forced to close up.Today a store and apartments stand where we all once upon a time relaxed at one of the-great movie houses in our city.
AUTHOR RICHARD SATTANNI/BPT.CT.RESIDENT/GRASSROOTS WRITER FOR BURROUGHS' LIBRARY ALSO a POET and mystery novel writer.YOU may contact RICH at his email at rsauthor00@gmail.com
