The Rialto Theater, Beeville, Texas

05/04/2025

5-4-2025 update on interior work

🔧 What’s Happening Behind the Scenes:

Electrical upgrades in both the lobby and auditorium are nearing completion, with top-tier systems being installed under the guidance of licensed professionals to meet all safety recommendations and code requirements.

Plumbing systems are almost fully in place, including those for restrooms and concessions. Fixtures are set to be installed following interior finishes, such as wallpaper, to protect the work and streamline the process.

Historic elements are being preserved where possible, such as the restoration of the iconic red doors, while modern enhancements are being added to improve function and visitor experience throughout the theater.

We want to emphasize that we’re not just restoring the Rialto—we’re re-imagining it for the future. While restoration plays a role, this is also a revitalization project designed to bring new life to a beloved space.

04/25/2025

Dear Rialto Family,

We’ve got some bright news—literally!

We are announcing that new lighting has been installed in the auditorium and restrooms at the historic Rialto Theater! This long-awaited upgrade marks a step forward in our mission to make the Rialto not just a place to see stories unfold but a space where everyone feels welcomed, comfortable, and inspired.

✨ In the auditorium, the new gold color fan shaped lighting on each of the 9 column and on each side of the exit doors complement our historic charm while ensuring that every guest can navigate easily before, during, and after the show.
🚻 In the restrooms, the new lighting creates a more pleasant and secure space.

This is just one step on our journey—but it’s an important one. And it wouldn’t have been possible without BEIC funding—our community, our supporters, our dreamers.

We’re shining a little brighter—thanks to the City of Beeville’s dedication.

The Rialto Theater Team

See more at https://beevillerialtotheater.org

04/22/2025

Update on recent work at the Rialto

Here is a summary of recent completed or ongoing work (all funded through BEIC unless otherwise noted).
• Concession Stand: Fully built, stained, and completed
• Doors: Front and side doors have been restored
• Interior Carpentry/Painting: Baseboards, crown molding, stairwells, and walls
repaired and painted
• Plumbing: Leak repaired, wall framing and wallpapering in restrooms underway
• Electrical: 90% completed, including updates to previously incomplete or incorrect
work
• Lighting: Installation of auditorium sconces has begun
• Flooring: Carpet companies have submitted measurements and bids
• Curtains: Measurements taken for the lobby and auditorium
• HVAC: Four experienced companies have assessed the systems; repairs and tests
are ongoing
• Fire Suppression: Water flow test completed. FSC selected, pending city permit
due to fire marshal vacancy
• Seating: Original seats available for sale to raise funds
• Exterior Work: Four stucco/paint quotes reviewed; contractor selected
• Marquee Neon & Letters: One company has inspected the sign; a quote for
historical letters has been received

04/05/2025

What did it cost you see a movie at the Rialto?

Please use our Go Fund Me page to help us restore the exterior.
https://gofund.me/222a50ff

Mailing address:
Hall-Rialto Preservation Association
P.O. Box 1477
Beeville, TX 78104

04/03/2025

A visit to the old restrooms in the basement. See more at https://beevillerialtotheater.org

Please use our Go Fund Me page to help us restore the exterior.
https://gofund.me/222a50ff

Mailing address:
Hall-Rialto Preservation Association
P.O. Box 1477
Beeville, TX 78104

03/19/2025

Hall-Rialto Preservation Association outside building restoration fund raising

The Historical Committee of the Hall-Rialto Preservation Association is currently working on plans for the front exterior of the Rialto. While the HRPA recently received funds from the Beeville Economic Improvement Corporation to complete several interior projects, we need help repairing and restoring the front of the building.

We need to repair the damaged stucco and repaint all the white stucco. A number of Art Deco decorations need to be reinstalled. Fortunately, most of the pieces fell on top of the marquee.

We also need to make a number of repairs to the marquee neon lights. We have several broken pieces and likely have a few transformers that have failed. We also have a sag issue with marquee that needs to be addressed.

The marquee letters need to be replaced with plastic letters that allow light to pass thru at night, matching the original 1930's letters. The current letters we are using are hand made wooden letters that were made late in the operation of the theater. They do not let light pass thru, they were not all made the same so letters do not always line up, and they do not survive the weather very well. They all need to be replaced. We have only a few usable "E" letters, one of the most used letters.

The movie poster cases need to be hand polished to remove the corrosion, lights need to be re-installed, and the glass needs to be replaced with real glass.

Please use our Go Fund Me page to donate. Thanks!

https://gofund.me/222a50ff

Mailing address:
Hall-Rialto Preservation Association
P.O. Box 1477
Beeville, TX 78104

03/03/2025

Some new movie posters have been donated and posted.

12/04/2024

While we recently received major funding to complete the fire suppression system and to complete the air conditioning system, we still need all the help we can get. We currently trying to raise funds to restore the front exterior of the theater. Even small donations will make a difference. Thanks!

For residents of Beeville, Texas in 1922, when it was just a small farming town struggling to… Madeline Madden needs your support for Hall-Rialto Preservation

12/03/2024

A program for the re-opening of the rebuilt Rialto from March 6, 1936. From the collection of Suzanne Guinn.

11/09/2024

The Rialto is a stop on the Wine Walk today 11-9-2024.

10/24/2024

FINAL VOTE ON BEIC FUNDING OF RIALTO RESTORATION

The Beeville City Council approved the second reading to approve the Beeville Economic Improvement Corporation's funding of the Rialto restoration on Oct. 22, 2024. This will help get the doors open to the public in 2025!

10/21/2024

Second reading of approval of funding is planned for Oct. 22, 2024 at 5 PM at the City Council meeting.

Support for the Beeville Rialto Theater Preservation Association from city council will allow the theater to re-open to the public.