Subject: Rialto Theater
Date: 1936
Source: Mack Bagley collection

Note: This photo was acquired with the purchase of Nichols Studio in 1980.

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Comments:

"This theater was located two block west of the Palace. In the late 1940s and early 1950s it was known as the "Rat" by most kids since you would occasionally see a rat run across the stage in front of the screen. Jacksonville in the late 1930s and early 1940s had four "picture shows" - the Dorbant located in the building on Commerce presently housing the offices of Phillip Pavletich's loan company. Prior to the loan company, the building housed the Jacksonville Building & Loan Association. The old theater seats are still in the building located under the present floor. I can't remember the name of the fourth theater, but it was located near Main and Bolton near the railroad and tomato sheds."

- Bob Bailey

"This theater was located on Commerce street about where the Austin Drive in bank is located now."

- Mack Bagley

"This is a picture of the second Rialto Theatre, the original was only half the size of this one. It was doubled in size about 1936. The name of the other theatre that occupied a space of 25ft east of and would be adjoining Elaine's today,was The Clair. It was named after Ross Dorbandt's daughter, Kate Clare Dorbandt. Mr. Dorbandt owned the Dorbandt and the Clare Theatres. The Jackson came on the scene about 1938. "

- Frank Gillespie

"Frank Gillespie's comment mentioned "The Clair", a theatre named after Kate Clair Dorbandt. She was my mother. I remember her talking about the theatre named after her. Hope someone will have a picture of the theatre to share. Ross Dorbandt was also in real estate."

- Betty Thompson

"What was the name of the theater on what is now US 79 across the street from the City Park/Fire Station? It was located in either the building housing The Love Nest or Eagle Plating?"

- Shannon Smyrl

"The theatre located next to the packing shed area was the "JACKSON". Just down the street from the RIALTO. It was so neat because of the round "VICKS BOTTLE BLUE" windows in the double doors going into the main theatre from the concession area.Though the theater was closed during the 50's when I was a kid, we found a way to get through the back door and sneak around inside. There were still posters on the wall and some candy advertisements on the concession stand. "

- Dan Tillman

"These are all memories to me. I might add that the automobile in which "Bonnie and Clyde" were killed toured the country and I saw it in the lobby of the Rialto Theater in Jacksonville, Texas."

- Lois White Crawford

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