The Theatorium

1908

Aka: The National Theatorium (later the Rialto)

Address: 117, The Pike—west of the old Pine Avenue Pier

Capacity: 600 seats

“Long Beach’s Nickel Movie Days,” Independent Press Telegram (Aug. 02, 1964), by Maymie Krythe: Featured in this article is a picture of the Theatorium which Krythe said was obtained “courtesy of Mrs. William J. Fahey and Harold Fahey.” This movie house was very popular because of daily performances from 2-5:20 P.M., at five cents and because there were also showings on Saturday and Sunday evenings. It is said that some residents never missed a program, which changed three times weekly. In 1911, William J. Fahey and William Raymond bought the Theatorium and showed films made by Biograph, Vitagraph, Lubin and Pathé.

Theatorium Exterior
Photo courtesy of the Ronald W. Mahan & Joseph J. Musil Photo Theatre Collection
1915 Parade on Pier With Theatorium in Background
1915 photo of a parade on the pier with the Theatorium Moving Pictures in the background, Historical Society of Long Beach