Riverside Twin

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The Riverside Twin was one of the first three theaters in the US to show The Rocky Horror Picture Show exclusively as Midnight movie. It was also one of the 10 other theaters that had a original general release opening of the film after the debut week at the UA Westwood.

Theater Location: 1900 East Riverside, Austin, Texas

Theater Open Date: June, 1973

Theater Status: Closed

History

The Riverside Cinema Company opened the Riverside Twin Theater in Austin Texas in June of 1973, primarily intended on serving the college crowds in the East Riverside area. From the day it opened, it had troubles in the form of repeated vandalism and graffiti. It didn't help that a projectionists union strike was happening when it opened, making it a prime location for striking workers.

In May of 1976, the Riverside Twin became one of three theaters in the US to have an engagement of The Rocky Horror Picture Show as a ongoing, Midnight movie. The first was the Waverly Theater where it had opened a month before, and the Gentilly Orleans Theater where it opened the same night. The run at the Riverside Twin was so successful, that in October of 1976, there was a week of Prime-Time screenings of the film as well. The ongoing run was in both of the "twin" theater auditoriums through the late 1970s.

The first named cast at the Riverside Twin was named The Roxy Cast. The group was based out of neighboring San Antonio, but traveled between the two theaters beginning in 1980, at the height of Rocky's popularity.

Because of the theater's venerable status in Rocky Horror history, the theater was the site of the Shock Treatment premiere in September, 1981 which included a parade and appearance by Richard O'Brien.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show ended its run at the Riverside Twin in March of 1985 after a decline in attendance, partially because the film had spread to several other theaters in the area, splitting the audience.

Cast Affiliations

  • The Roxy Cast (1980 cast based in San Antonio)
  • Creatures of the Night