Benwell, Armstrong Road, Rialto Cinema

HER Number:
12876

District:
Newcastle

Site Name:
Benwell, Armstrong Road, Rialto Cinema

Place:
Benwell

Map Sheet:
NZ26SW

Class:
Recreational

Site Type: Broad:

Site Type: Specific:
Cinema

General Period:
Modern

Specific Period:
C20

Form of Evidence:
Demolished Building

Description:
Opened 10 May 1937. It was opened by the Hinge circuit and was similar in design to their Ritz Cinema in Forest Hall. The architects were Percy L. Browne, Son and Harding. The façade of the building was in brick and coloured cement and had a tower and metal canopies. The entrance vestibule contained the paybox, then there was a foyer. The auditorium was decorated in red, beige and gold. There were 1026 seats. The proscenium arch was enhanced with decorative plasterwork. The Rialto closed on 25 June 1961 and became a bingo hall. It was demolished in July 1964 and the site is now occupied by a health centre.

Easting:
2057

Northing:
6409

Grid Reference:
NZ20576409

Lats/Lons:

Sources:
Frank Manders, 1991, Cinemas of Newcastle, pages 152-153; Frank Manders, 2005, Cinemas of Newcastle, pages 82-83, 116, 151, 161