The April 8, 2025, meeting of the OSSC was held at the historic Rialto Theater in South Pasadena. The meeting featured a presentation by Annie Xiang on the development of DBR laser diodes. While the talk was received with great enthusiasm, so was the historic venue.
Nestled in the heart of South Pasadena, the Rialto Theater stands as a cherished monument to Southern California’s vibrant cinematic history. Built in 1925, this Spanish Baroque Revival structure has graced Fair Oaks Avenue for a century,[1] its ornate façade and grand marquee inviting generations of moviegoers into its elegant interior.
The Rialto was designed by architect Lewis A. Smith, whose flair for atmospheric and ornate venues shaped many iconic theaters across California [1]. With its elegant auditorium, sweeping balcony, and intricate plasterwork, the Rialto quickly became a social and cultural hub for South Pasadena. For almost a century, the theater dazzled audiences with silent films accompanied by a mighty Wurlitzer organ, live performances on its elegant stage, mainstream Hollywood films, and midnight performance of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Over the years, the Rialto’s classic façade, traditional ticket booth, elegant balcony, and grand staircase, has made it a favorite among filmmakers and location scouts. The Rialto’s exterior and interior have been featured in numerous films, television shows, and music videos including scenes from the hit musical La La Land, The Rocketeer, The Player, Scream 2, and Michael Jackson’s classic music video Thriller making the Rialto a star in its own right.[1]
The Rialto was operated by Landmark Theatres until it closed in 2007. The Simpsons Movie was the last film shown in the theater, and 200 people attended the final screening[1]. The building was closed to the public in 2010, after the theater fell into disrepair and part of the facade fell onto the sidewalk. The building was eventually sold to developer Izek Shomof in 2014 who led the effort to restore the theater.[2]
Since 2017, the theater has served as one of six campuses for Mosaic, a non-denominational multi-site church based in Los Angeles.[3] The OSSC is grateful to Mosaic for providing the elegant and historic venue of our April meeting.
Photos: Martin Hagenbuechle
References
- Wikipedia – Rialto Theatre (South Pasadena, California). Retrieved September 7, 2025.
- Shyong, Frank (January 9, 2015). "South Pasadena's historic Rialto Theatre sold to downtown developer". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
- Chiland, Elijah (April 27, 2017). "South Pasadena's Rialto Theatre will reportedly become a church". Curbed LA. Retrieved July 29, 2019.