River Oaks Theatre

The River Oaks Theatre is a historic movie theater located at 2009 West Gray Street in Houston, Texas, United States. The theater has three projection screens; one large screen, downstairs, and two smaller screens, upstairs.

History

The River Oaks Theatre was built in 1939. It is an example of late-1930s Art Deco design. It was the last of the deluxe neighborhood movie theaters built by Interstate Theatre Corporation.cite web | title=River Oaks Theatre | work=Cinema Treasures (2000-2007), cinematreasures.org | url=http://cinematreasures.org/theater/6275/ | accessdate=2007-06-09]

Since 1976, the theater has been operated by Landmark Theatres and generally shows foreign language and independent films, as well as other "art-house" movies. In 1986, Landmark split the spacious balcony in two, turning the theater into a three-screen facility.

The theater is a part of the River Oaks Shopping Center, located on the eastern edge of the prestigious River Oaks subdivision. The property and River Oaks Theatre have been well maintained and they still shine today.

Honors and awards

That the River Oaks Theatre holds an important historic and cultural significance for the Houston community is evidenced by the many honors and awards it has received:cite web | title=River Oaks Theatre | work=Landmark Theatres (1999-2007), www.landmarktheatres.com | url=http://www.landmarktheatres.com/market/Houston/RiverOaksTheatre.htm | accessdate=2007-06-09]

* March 26 2000, was officially proclaimed "River Oaks Theatre Day" by Mayor Lee Brown
* Presented an award for the "Preservation of a Landmark Facility as a Unique and Special Venue for Art, Vintage and Independently Produced Films" (2001) by the Museum District Alliance
* Declared "Best Movie Theatre" (2001) by "Inside Houston"
* Declared "Best Movie Theatre" (2003) by the "Houston Press"
* Listed as one of the "20 Cool Things About Houston" (2006) by the "Houston Chronicle"
* November 6 2006, was officially proclaimed "River Oaks Theatre Day" by Mayor Bill White
* On April 19 2007, the globally popular internet show, "Pure Pwnage", screened its newest episode at the River Oaks Theatre, before the internet release

"The Rocky Horror Picture Show"

The River Oaks Theatre is one of a handful of sites in the Houston area that carries on the tradition of showing "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" at midnight, complete with a shadow cast.

Theatre closing controversy

According to several Houston-area preservation groups, in July 2006, Weingarten Realty Investors, the company that owns the shopping center announced to its tenants that the entire shopping center was going to be bulldozed and replaced with new buildings in 2008.cite web | title=River Oaks Center/Theatre and Alabama Theater/Bookstop Update | work=Greater Houston Preservation Alliance (1998-2007), www.ghpa.org | url=http://www.ghpa.org/riveroaks.html | accessdate=2007-06-09]

The groups' statements lead to a fervor in the Houston area to preserve the theater and the surrounding shopping center. Several movements aimed at the theater have established websites and petitions. Many of the backers of the movement to save the theater include many wealthy residents of River Oaks. Many Houstonians have signed a petition to save the theater.

Public statements by Weingarten and Landmark Theatres assert that there are no plans to close the River Oaks Theatre.

References

External links

* [http://www.landmarktheatres.com/market/Houston/RiverOaksTheatre.htm River Oaks Theatre]
* [http://www.nationaltrust.org/Magazine/archives/arc_news_2007/081407.htm Despite New Landmark Status, Houston May Lose 1937 Shopping Center]
* [http://www.ghpa.org/ Greater Houston Preservation Alliance]
* [http://riveroaks.arch-ive.org save the river oaks!]