The Rialto Theater concludes today its first anniversary of public entertainment for the people of Southern Oregon. It has been a year of triumph for this modern playhouse, notwithstanding the general confusion and uncertainty in the economic and industrial world and the trials necessarily injected into the first year's experience of any new amusement institution. The gratifying measure of success attained and enjoyed by its proprietors presages another year of greater triumph in every way.
    A year ago today the Rialto Theater presented to the local public Rex Beach's most virile and astounding photoplay, "The Barrier." Tomorrow, the first day of its second year, it will present the Edison super-feature of romance and action, "The Unbeliever." Between these two marvelous productions it has given its patrons the best pictures obtainable during the period of its matriculation. While making for itself a prominent place, not only among the thousands of patrons of the motion picture business, but among the exchanges with whom its contracts are made for film sensations, it has, on occasions, been compelled to yield to the exigencies of the situation in selecting its productions; but, having firmly established its leading place with film exchanges, it now enters upon a program and policy to give the local world the supreme triumphs in production by the big world outside.
    By a clean, candid and persistent desire to give to local amusement patrons the best productions exhibited in the great cities, it has frequently been compelled to ignore the incident of profit, directly; but, indirectly, increased patronage has shown that that policy will ultimately produce the reward it deserves. Therefore, our chief design has been to establish firmly the high character of the Rialto as a theater conducted for a high-class clientele.
    The success thus deserved and attained has enabled us to transmit to the war-tax department of the federal government large sums of money paid to the Rialto box office as war tax. In addition to the satisfaction thus enjoyed our patrons have realized the gratification that comes in "picture contact" with the great forces that are now remaking the world.
Rialto advertisement, Medford Mail Tribune, August 30, 1918, page 6

    To prevent the further spread of the dread Spanish influenza, of which four positive cases are known to exist in Medford and many others are suspected, the city authorities clamped down the lid this noon, to go into effect Monday morning, ordering the closing of churches, theaters, schools and all public meetings and gatherings of every description. This drastic rule will be in effect until all danger of the epidemic getting a foothold in Medford is past.
    The action was not decided on until the local situation had been thoroughly canvassed by Mayor Gates and Dr. Pickel. Every physician in the city was consulted, and the opinion was unanimous that every precaution should be taken before it was too late. A number of cases and suspected cases were also reported from various parts of the county.
    New reports of the alarming spread of the disease throughout the United States and the large death rate accompanying also had a great influence in deciding the local officials to act. A telephone message from Dunsmuir yesterday afternoon, stating that there had been 37 deaths already and that by midnight last night 14 more were expected to die, also had a bearing. Several citizens from Dunsmuir were in Medford yesterday seeking nurses to assist in caring for influenza patients.
    Health officer Pickel advises all persons to cover their mouths and noses with their hands or handkerchiefs when coughing and sneezing and not to expectorate on the streets or floors. This will go a long ways towards preventing an epidemic here.
    The closing order will stop the work of the Red Cross and many patriotic and public activities, and will entail a loss on the moving picture managements. Manager Percy of the Rialto Theater takes a sensible view of the situation and approves of the closing order of the city officials. He too believes that an ounce of prevention exercised now will prevent much misery and financial hardship later on. Mr. Percy holds that the picture theaters will only suffer a temporary loss, as when the danger is over and the closing rule rescinded, the public will be very picture hungry and will crowd the theaters to make up for lost time.
    An intensely interesting letter was received by the Mail Tribune today from Dr. E. H. Porter, who is at Worcester, Mass., describing the epidemic in the East, the symptoms and effects of the disease, preventive measures, etc., and advising that Medford take precautions. The letter follows.
    "Your issue of September 28 contains an editorial on the subject of Spanish influenza, and from its tone will lead your readers to believe that the disease is not a serious one. Now, do all in your power to eradicate that belief. It is the most terrible epidemic ever visiting America and is very fatal. It is a new disease caused by an heretofore unknown bacilli, but has recently been isolated.
    "The onset of the disease is very similar to that of an ordinary attack of grippe, but much more sudden and severe. Many cases begin as a pneumonia, while others are sick several days before pneumonia symptoms appear. Those beginning as a pneumonia are usually dead in 48 hours. The pathological findings in the dead are very similar to those found in the lungs of those dead from drowning, with the addition of erosions in the bronchial tubes. The vaccines and serums which have heretofore been used in the treatment of grippe are worthless in this disease. During the past week we have secured a small supply of vaccine made from the new bacilli and have inoculated some of the physicians and nurses who are in attendance on influenza cases, but up to date cannot say what the effect will be. Neither can we do so until the vaccine is obtainable in larger quantities which will require several days longer. Am in hopes I can secure enough to send some to the Medford physicians before the epidemic reaches there, and reach there it will, and then look out.
    "The disease appeared in Boston early in September, and on the 11th there were 11 deaths. From that date to noon October 5, there had been 2270 deaths, with over 80,000 cases. Throughout New England this is the story told in every town. Every church, school, saloon, billiard hall and theater are closed, and public gatherings are tabooed. To prevent congestion on street cars during the rush hours of business, the health boards have ordered certain classes of business to open and close at certain hours. One sneeze or a cough in a crowded car from an infected person, and there are 20 new cases. The slogan in this section is 'cover that cough and sneeze.'
    "During the past ten days I have been doing my bit at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. That large institution has closed its doors to all but accident cases and influenza patients, and it is more than full. I have been through several epidemics of cholera, smallpox, yellow fever and bubonic plague, and in those the attendants could protect themselves, but in this epidemic the attendants have suffered severely, and the only protection possible is to wear masks of gauze over the face. Calls have gone out to other sections for doctors and nurses, and several states west of the Hudson River have sent details, and yet the demand far exceeds the supply. In one large hospital at this place (Worcester), with 50 nurses on duty, there were over 40 down at one time, with several deaths.
    "As the disease is an easy one carried through the air, by the particles of sputum thrown off by a sneeze or cough, when it appears in Medford, if the health officer will isolate, isolate and again isolate the infected, close the schools, churches, theaters, etc., fine everyone who does not cover a sneeze or cough or expectorates on the street, you may escape a severe epidemic. Children and the aged do not seem as susceptible to the disease as the robust middle-aged person."
Medford Mail Tribune, October 12, 1918, page 1

PICTURE THEATERS TO OPEN TOMORROW

    After being dark for several weeks the Page and Rialto theaters will be opened tomorrow beginning at 2:15. Both houses have prepared unusually good programs for the openings, and will have excellent music.
    The lovers of the movies will be glad to have the opportunity again of seeing their favorite stars, and the theaters will no doubt be crowded. The usual Saturday evening crowds will be out on the streets again tomorrow, and you are expected to join the happy throng.
    The new Liberty Theater will be opened Thanksgiving Day with a big matinee and under the management of Henry Harcke.
Medford Mail Tribune, November 22, 1918, page 6


    The "flu" lid flew off last night, with record attendances at both the Page and Rialto theaters. Both the theaters had been renovated and touched up during the quarantine, and the crowded houses looked like old times. The appreciation of the movies was so keen that early audiences at the theater proceeded almost in a body to the other. Several dances were also given last night, and today for the first time in six weeks the churches will open, which is expected to result in similar record-breaking congregations in the celebration of the Sabbath.
"Local and Personal," Medford Sun, November 24, 1918, page 2


    MEDFORD, Or., Dec. 26.--(Special.)--City Health Officer E. B. Pickel today modified the flu mask ordinance requiring the wearing of the mask only in theaters, churches and other places where public gatherings are held. Until today the masks had been required in all stores both by employees and by shoppers.
    Originally the masks were required on the streets, but with the steady decline of the epidemic this provision was withdrawn several days ago.
    No new cases of the disease were reported Christmas day, the first time since the inception of the epidemic three weeks ago.
Morning Oregonian, Portland, August 10, 1918, page 4

    The music lovers and theater patrons are grateful to the management of the Rialto theater for having helped to introduce such a fine new concert orchestra to Medford this week, and which plays for the last time at tonight’s performance. The orchestra which won much praise at its first unannounced appearance Sunday night appeared to better advantage if that were possible last night.
    The Amphion orchestra, for that is the name of this newly organized body of eight excellent musicians, including some of Medford’s best, is a permanent concert organization which will give the music lovers of this city many delightful moments in the future, and was organized by Mr. and Mrs. Bolger, artistic professional musicians well known thruout the northwest, who recently located here and have purchased a small ranch east of the city. Mrs. Bolger is the accomplished leader and violinist of the orchestra and her husband plays the flute.
    The other players are F. A. Haight, piano, F. C. McReynolds, ’cello, E. C. Root, clarinet, T. A. Fifer, cornet, Ed White, slide trombone, and E. N. Roberts, drums.
    While the orchestra does not play at the Rialto after tonight, its leader, Mrs. Bolger, will render violin solos every night the remainder of the week.
Medford Mail Tribune, February 24, 1920, page 2

    Dick Antle took a little flyer in the publicity game this week as a surprise to Geo. Hunt, his partner, incidental to the appearance at the Rialto of that splendid military comedy "23½ Hours Leave," the last performance of which will be given tonight. Dick saw to it that the young lady ushers were garbed in regulation uniforms of privates and Miss Blanche Miles in the ticket office in a lieutenant's uniform.
    Not only that but the large audience was much surprised last night right in the midst of the comedy when the caption "Soldiers returning to the cantonment" was thrown on the screen, to see the members of Company D, marched down the aisles and through the entrances on each side disappear onto the stage. A number in the audience were so completely fooled that they afterwards asked if the soldiers in the comedy were the local national guard men.
    In fact Company D, whose members were drilling on the street, merrily marched through the theater onto the stage and passed into the alley in the rear.
    The bill at the Rialto, which closes with tonight's performances, is one of the best laugh-producing programs ever seen in the city, as in addition to the military comedy there is a mirth-providing Fatty Arbuckle comedy.
Medford Mail Tribune, March 11, 1920, page 3


    Mrs. H. L. Percy, whose husband, with Arthur Moran, formerly conducted the Rialto Theater, left this noon on the 4th section of No. 13 for Oakland where she will meet her husband, who is now traveling for a large film producing house.
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, August 9, 1920, page 2


    Jeunesse Butler, organist for the Rialto Theater, has selected a musical atmosphere setting for the photoplay sensation "Humoresque," which opens a four-day run in this city tomorrow. Miss Butler has selected for the theme Dvorak's "Humoresque," the most popular violin solo of the present day. Fannie Hurst calls it "That laugh on life with a tear behind it."
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, September 21, 1920, page 2


    Henry Harcke left Tuesday evening for Fresno, Cal., where he has a position as an organist in one of the moving picture houses. Mr. Harcke resigned a similar place at the Page Theater. His place will be taken by Miss Jeunesse Butler, and her place at the Rialto will be taken by Miss Grace Brown.
"Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, January 12, 1921, page 8


Medford Mail Tribune, November 28, 1921, page 6


    In line with the progressive policy of the Rialto and Page theatre managements, Alice Smythe Jay, one of the country's well-known organists and director, has been secured as organist at the Rialto Theatre. Mrs. Jay made her first Medford appearance at the city park last night when she directed the Elks band in playing "Yakima,'' a selection of her own original composition, which made a decided hit with the large audience.
    Mrs. Jay, for three years, was organist at the Auditorium, Brooklyn, New York. She was in Honolulu two years in musical work, at which time she gave special study to music of the Orient, and spent one year as organist under Rippy & Dolan at Aberdeen, Wash. She has made a special study of character music and is the originator of the "Music Score to Moving Pictures,'' covering theme setting, cuing and timing. For this she owns and controls the patent. At the Pan-American Exposition in 1915, Mrs. Jay acted as special musical demonstrator. It is also interesting to know that Mrs. Jay was the originator of the popular wartime song, "Tipperary” and holds American copyrights for that song.
    Medford people are indeed fortunate in having Mrs. Jay as a resident. Her coming to this city is but another step toward making Medford the musical center of this part of the state. Her selections on the organ will be a regular feature of Rialto performances for some time.
Medford Mail Tribune, July 29, 1922, page 3


    The management of the Rialto Theater announced today that they had completed arrangements for the installation of a $15,000 organ which will be rushed by fast freight just as soon as the factory can complete it.
    Mr. Hunt says that they have given the organ problem a lot of study and have settled on a Robert Morton as being the best adapted for their use. Miss Bruce Putnam, formerly of this city, and who has been following organ work for the last two years and has played on every make of theater pipe organ, says that the Robert Morton is the sweetest voiced and causes less trouble mechanically than any she has ever used.
    Mr. Frank Showacre from the Morton factory has been in the city for several days measuring and testing the acoustics of the Rialto so as to get the proper combination of pipes and amount of volume that will be suitable.
    Mr. Hunt states that they are so sold on the Robert Morton that they have also ordered one for their new theater on Central Avenue and also Mr. Dunlap of the Grants Pass Amusement Company has ordered one for the Rivoli Theater in that city. These organs will be of varied sizes and of different combinations, each being built for their respective houses.
Medford Mail Tribune, February 16, 1924, page 2

    Tomorrow evening at 6:45 o'clock when the doors of the Rialto Theater swing open to southern Oregon theatergoers, this city will lay claim to one of the most beautiful and modern small show houses in the state. When crowds pack the new, remodeled Rialto tomorrow for a glimpse of the theater and to feast their eyes on the premier flapper of the silver screen, Clara Bow, in her latest rollicking, smashing hit "Roughhouse Rosie," a genuine surprise will await them. George Hunt will present a show house which will eclipse their most optimistic expectations.
    The new, remodeled Rialto is a work of art, an example of the last word in theater decoration. The spacious lobby, the foyer, the roomy auditorium and loges, richly colored, artistically and effectively lighted and set off with rich velvet drapes, are beautiful. No effort has been spared in making the Rialto appealing to southern Oregon people. It is comfortable, restful, pleasing to the eye, a worthy rival of the beautiful Craterian Theater, also operated by the George A. Hunt company.
    An entirely new marquee, replete with flashing electric signs, is replacing the former one, and a new marble-covered booth is being completed for the opening, and a new ventilating system installed. In fact, no detail is being overlooked in making the Rialto a finished, up-to-the-minute theater, and its beauty will reflect credit upon those who are doing the remodeling work.
    The wiring and electrical supplies were installed by the People's Electric Store of this city. Weeks & Orr, one of Medford's foremost furniture houses, will supply the furniture in the lobby of the theater. J. L. Read, general contractor, who lives at 517 Edwards Street in this city, supervised all of the carpentry work in altering the old Rialto. Mr. Read has a wide reputation for fine work in this line. The millwork, doors, grills and material for the ticket office were furnished by the Medford Planing Mill, located at Eleventh and Fir streets, Medford, while the marble work on the attractive ticket booth and in the lobby of the Rialto was handled by the Oregon Granite Company at Fourth and Front streets. Fuller paints were used in refinishing the entire show house, and these were supplied by the Pioneer Paint Company, Fuller representatives in this city.
    The B. F. Shearer division of the National Theater Supply Company of Seattle supervised and handled the painting and decorating of the beautiful new Rialto Theater. This company also supplied and installed the curtains and draperies, and representatives of this organization have been in this city for the last several days overseeing this work. The management of the Rialto was fortunate in securing the services of Ed Weisenhorn, well-known expert in theater decorating, who is associated with B. F. Shearer division of the National Theater Supply Company.
    The Rialto, in fact, will deserve a place alongside the Craterian as one of Oregon's finest amusement houses, and bright, flashing electric signs will beckon theatergoers to stop and pass away pleasant hours in a beautiful place with restful atmosphere, and enjoy many excellent moving picture programs which are being booked for future runs there.
Medford Mail Tribune, June 9, 1927, page 8

    The moving picture theaters were open as usual last night, only that all persons under sixteen years of age are forbidden to attend them, and all other public assemblages, as well as forbidden to be on the streets, by the special emergency infantile paralysis ordinance passed by the city council yesterday noon.
    There seems to have been a misunderstanding by a large part of the public, despite that the facts were plainly published in yesterday afternoon's Mail Tribune, for the theater patronage last night was greatly curtailed to what it had been. At 8 o'clock the audiences at the Craterian and Rialto theaters only numbered about 50 persons at each. Later on this attendance was increased, but was very much less than the usual Thursday night attendance.
    It seems that many people only read a part of the emergency quarantine story, or just glimpsed [sic] it over, for quite a number of passersby during the evening stopped in front of the entrance of each theater and asked the ticket cashier how long the theater would be closed. They expressed joyful surprise when told that the theaters were open as usual and had not been closed at all.
Medford Mail Tribune, September 30, 1927, page 5

    With equipment equally as good as that used in the large show houses throughout the country, the Rialto will make its bow to the Medford and southern Oregon movie public as a theater presenting talking motion pictures exclusively. Following careful preparation, the doors will open tomorrow afternoon for matinee performances, presenting the four Marx brothers in "Cocoanuts," which played to capacity houses at Hunt's Craterian last week.
    The production made such a decided hit that it is by popular demand that the picture will be re-shown at the Rialto. Hundreds were turned away last week, and to accommodate all who have not seen this side-splitting comedy, it will play at the Rialto tomorrow, Friday and Saturday. It will be followed by another extraordinary talkie, Ken Maynard in "The Wagon Master," opening on Sunday. This picture is said by metropolitan critics to rival, and in some cases [out]do, "In Old Arizona," about which movie fans still talk, although the picture was shown here months ago. The production is staged entirely outdoors.
    The equipment installed in the Rialto is the latest procurable and has the advantage of the many improvements made on talking equipment during the past 18 months. The theater is equipped for both Vitaphone and Movietone productions, and silent pictures, with the possible exception of certain newsreels, will no longer be shown there. However, Sterling Rothermel, who has delighted Rialto audiences for some time past, will be retained for a time, assuring good pipe organ music as well as the latest talking movies, short and long subjects.
    A recent sound test revealed the theater to have the best acoustics obtainable, and it is the belief of S. G. Mendenhall, manager of the Rialto, that no other theater in the state, and possibly on the coast, can equal the Rialto for sound effects. Due to the smaller space, the talking equipment, he explained, does not have to be operated with loud tones, in some cases distorting the speech and music.
    The equipment of the Rialto is identically the same as that used in Graumann's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, New Fox in San Francisco, Portland Theater, Fox Broadway in Portland, Fifth Avenue in Seattle, in addition to many others throughout the country.
Medford Mail Tribune, September 11, 1929, page 7






    Leonard Christean and Lowell Larter, local young boys, wanted to see a free show at the Rialto Theater last night and attempted to make their way into the auditorium. Their efforts resulted in knocking plaster from the ceiling of the show house and causing some disturbance for the audience. The boys appeared at the police station this morning and were to appear there again this afternoon. It is probable no legal steps will be taken against them, but they must repair the damage they caused.
    The pair crawled through a trap door on top of the theater, leading to a space between the ceiling and room. Shortly after they crawled through, one of the boys hit the ceiling too hard and his legs emerged in the showhouse, and he would have fallen to the floor except for an electric conduit.
    While a few women screamed and most of the audience arose from the seats, there was no panic. A few left the theater when they heard the noise above them.
    The city building inspector, F. H. Rogers, inspected the theater building this forenoon and declared it to be in first-class shape and that it was no fault of the building that the plaster fell.
Medford Mail Tribune, July 31, 1930, page 3  Leonard was 14 years of age and Lowell 15.


    Nearly 1000 children under 12 years took advantage of the free matinee at the Fox Rialto Theater today, arranged by the Medford Mail Tribune in cooperation with the local management of Fox West Coast Theaters.
    The matinee opened at 12:30 and a line of children, two abreast, waiting to see the show, extended over a block a half hour before.
    The theater filled up rapidly and over 200 children could not be accommodated. A second show was given for their benefit upon the completion of the first.
    The first chapter of the serial, "The Spell of the Circus," was a feature of the program, which included a full-length movie, "The Avenger."
    The children came from all parts of the valley and presented coupons they had clipped out of the Mail Tribune for admittance.
Medford Mail Tribune, March 21, 1931, page 2

    A crew of workmen are busy this week installing the latest type spring-upholstered auditorium and loge seats in the Fox Rialto theatre. Carpeting of new and original pattern arrived from Seattle today and will soon replace the present carpets in the Fox Rialto, novel lighting effects will soon be installed and the front completely decorated, according to Archie Holt, Fox Medford manager.
    The seats which are being taken from the Rialto will be rebuilt and upholstered for the auditorium of Medford's new senior high school.
    In the near future the Fox Rialto will discontinue its present policy of weekend presentations and resume its former schedule of shows every day of the week. Manager Holt has also announced a new policy of featuring the pick of second-run picture after October 1 at the Rialto.
    George A. Jacobson and William B. Smith of Portland are in Medford this week supervising the installation of the new Rialto seats.
Excerpt, Medford Mail Tribune, August 19, 1931, page 8

    On Saturday afternoon the remodeled Rialto Theater will make its bow to southern Oregon showgoers.
    Since June 13th the theater has been a hive of activity, with busy workmen first tearing down the old furnishings and equipment and then rebuilding, redecorating, refurnishing. And from this hive of activity an all-new Rialto Theater has been created--a theater created not for luxury but for comfort of its patrons.
    From front to back, changes have been made with comfort and convenience always uppermost in mind. Of course the decorative effect has also had its part in the scheme of things, and from the striking new marquee and tiled front to the new furnishings and modern trend of decoration the Rialto Theater is thoroughly up-to-date. However, it was not intended to make the Rialto so luxurious as to lose the warm personality that has made it one of Medford's most popular theaters for more than 20 years. Rather, it was hoped to enhance that effect that much attention was given to the remodeling.
    Soft carpets underfoot will greet showgoers as they first enter the theater foyer. To the left, the second door will admit the ladies to a pleasant new powder room, with comfortable lounge chairs and an all-tiled restroom.
    At the far end of the foyer, where the ladies' room formerly was located, the men will find a brand-new restroom with all modern conveniences. The former men's room has been turned into a telephone booth and supply room.
    In the auditorium, an all-new concrete floor has replaced the former wood floor, with new chairs--roomy, cushioned seat and back, mohair-covered chairs, to allow the patron to sit back in comfort with no crowding or squeezing: Rows have been made wider to allow more leg room. In the balconies--now turned into loge sections with smoking permitted--each seat will allow full, unimpaired view of the screen.
    An entirely new air conditioning and, for winter, heating unit has been installed. No more will the theater be stuffy in the summer and drafty in winter. Two openings on the pilasters above the stage will admit clean, cool, fresh air to condition the entire theater during the warm summer months and, with cooler weather, warm air.
    The B. F. Shearer Company, one of the Coast's foremost theater decorating and equipment concerns, who remodeled the Craterian two and a half years ago, were in charge of the remodeling program at the Rialto Theater, with Elmer N. Childers as general contractor.
    Local concerns were given every consideration in the rebuilding.
Medford Mail Tribune, July 20, 1939, page B1

    The Rialto Theater, with one of the oldest historical backgrounds in Southern Oregon entertainment, was first opened to the public in 1917. The street then was about the same as it is today, other than the building from the theater to Bigelow's corner was of wood construction.
    The theater was built by Arthur Moran and Harold Percy and opened with the first showing on September 17, 1917, over 22 years ago. [The date was actually August 30.] The show house was then considered one of the finest theaters on the Pacific coast, and was operated with a deluxe policy. The theater was the same size as it is today.
    George Hunt and Richard Antle purchased the theater in 1919, and Julius Wolf bought out Antle's interest in 1923, about the same time Hunt opened the Craterian Theater.
    George Hunt and Wolf redecorated and put up the marquee that only this week was discarded for the new one that adorns the theater. This redecoration took place early in 1925. At this time the theater was introduced to its first curtains, giving it the appearance of a "big city" theater. New projectors were also installed in the booth.
    Wolf's interest was bought out by Hunt in 1928. And one year later sound was put in. The first talking machines were installed by Western Electric and were of the Vitaphone record type. The first talking picture played in the Rialto was a seven-reeler starring the Marx Brothers.
    Just after sound came in Mr. Hunt sold out to the Fox west coast theater circuit. No major changes from that time on had been done in the way of decorating until the present day, with the exception of a few seats which were brought to the Rialto by Fox from one of their other theaters in their circuit.
    In May of 1938 the theater again came under the direction of George A. Hunt.
    The above facts were presented by Fred Ryan, the oldest member of the Rialto Theater personnel. He started to work for Moran and Percy in 1919, about six months before Hunt took it over. The smile that came over Ryan's face as he sat and told the story and the adoration he bestowed upon the new Rialto, just completed and ready to open Saturday, was the adoring expression of a benevolent father as he watched his favorite child grow into lusty manhood.
Medford Mail Tribune, July 20, 1939, page B1